Hangzhou Tourism

Zhejiang Hangzhou — home to the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage West Lake, the thousand-year-old Lingyin Temple, and the "World's Most Beautiful Water" Qiandao Lake. A premier destination that blends natural scenery, cultural history, and modern urban life.

2200+
Years of City History
2
UNESCO World Cultural Heritages
6.39
West Lake Area (sq km)
12.2M+
Permanent Residents

Hangzhou District & County Tourism

Shangcheng District

Core area of old Hangzhou, site of the Southern Song Dynasty Imperial City

West LakeHefang StreetSouthern Song Imperial StreetHu Qingyu Tang
Gongshu District

Terminus of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, traditional industrial area transformed into a cultural creative hub

Canal PlazaQiaoxi Straight StreetArts and Crafts MuseumFuyi Granary
Xihu District

Location of West Lake core scenic area, hub for universities and research institutions

Lingyin TempleXixi WetlandChina Academy of ArtZhejiang University
Binjiang District

Hangzhou High-tech Zone, headquarters cluster for internet enterprises

AlibabaNetEaseHigh-Tech Science MuseumQiantang River First Bridge
Xiaoshan District

Location of Hangzhou International Airport, a strong economic district

Xianghu LakeHangzhou ParadiseKuahuqiao Heritage SiteQianjiang Century City
Yuhang District

Cradle of Liangzhu Culture, location of Future Sci-Tech City

Liangzhu Ancient CityJingshan TempleDream TownXixi Art Village
Linping District

Northeast gateway of Hangzhou, key node of canal culture

Tangqi Ancient TownChaoshan Plum BlossomsLinping ParkDingshan Lake Wetland
Qiantang District

Core area of riverside development, a modern industrial new city

Xiasha University TownQiantang River Tidal BoreJiangdong BridgeEastern Bay HQ Base
Fuyang District

Essence of Fuchun mountains and rivers, real-world location of Huang Gongwang's "Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains"

Fuchun RiverLongmen Ancient TownHuang Gongwang's HermitageDongzijia Village
Lin'an District

Birthplace of Wu-Yue Culture, ecological barrier of western Zhejiang

Tianmu MountainDaming MountainTaihu SourceKing Qian's Mausoleum
Tonglu County

China's Most Beautiful County, Fuchun River landscape gallery

Yaolin WonderlandYan Ziling Fishing PlatformChuiyun Tongtian RiverDipu Flower Sea
Chun'an County

Location of Qiandao Lake, China's top tourism county

Qiandao LakeWenyuan Lion CityForest Oxygen BarStone Forest Scenic Area
Jiande City

Xin'an River hydropower base, a cool world

Xin'an River Hydropower StationDaci RockLingqi CaveMeicheng Ancient Town

Hangzhou Three Days Two Nights Jiangnan Culture Tour

Stroll through West Lake scenery, visit a thousand-year-old temple, experience water town charm

Duration
3 Days 2 Nights
Main Destinations
West Lake Scenic Area, Lingyin Temple, Xixi National Wetland Park, Qiandao Lake Scenic Area
Suitable For
Culture enthusiasts, landscape photographers, families with kids, history explorers
Per Capita Budget
¥1500-¥3000
01
West Lake Charm
West Lake Cultural Landscape Tour
Trip Highlights

Explore the West Lake UNESCO World Cultural Heritage all day, stroll along Su Causeway in the Morning, visit Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, ascend Leifeng Pagoda for a panoramic view of West Lake, and experience the artistic conception of "West Lake is like a beauty, whether in light or heavy makeup."

Attraction Arrangement
West Lake
UNESCO World Cultural Heritage, one of China's Ten Scenic Spots, famous for the "Ten Views of West Lake," where lake and mountain scenery complement each other.
Lingyin Temple
One of the Five Mountains of Jiangnan Zen Buddhism, originally built during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, famous for the Feilai Peak stone carvings and the legend of Ji Gong.
Practical Information
Accommodation Recommendations
  • Boutique hotels by West Lake
  • Historic building B&Bs on Beishan Street
  • Zen-style inns in Lingyin Scenic Area
Food Recommendations
  • Dongpo Pork
  • West Lake Vinegar Fish
  • Longjing Shrimp
  • Beggar's Chicken
Travel Tips
  • West Lake boat tour from ¥55
  • Lingyin Temple ticket ¥30 (Feilai Peak ticket ¥45 required first)
  • Rent a bicycle for a lake loop tour
02
Wetland Romance
Xixi Ecological Culture Tour
Trip Highlights

Visit Xixi National Wetland Park in the morning, experience the filming location of "If You Are the One," visit the China Wetland Museum in the afternoon, and watch the "Eternal Romance of Songcheng" evening show to feel the Song Dynasty culture.

Attraction Arrangement
Xixi National Wetland Park
China's first national wetland park, famous for "a stream with every bend, a mist with every turn," a rare natural wetland ecological reserve in the heart of a metropolis.
Songcheng
China's largest Song Dynasty culture theme park, with "architecture as form, culture as soul," the "Eternal Romance" show is breathtaking.
Practical Information
Transportation Guide
  • About 30 minutes from West Lake to Xixi Wetland
  • Recommended to take an electric boat tour of the wetland
  • Shuttle buses available after Songcheng evening show
Ticket Information
  • Xixi Wetland ticket ¥80
  • Electric boat ¥60
  • Songcheng ticket + show ¥310
Photography Tips
  • Best time for wetland morning mist: 6:00-8:00
  • Bring a telephoto lens for waterfowl photography
  • Most beautiful during autumn reed catkin season
03
Qiandao Dream
Qiandao Lake Ecological Tour
Trip Highlights

Take a boat tour of Qiandao Lake in the morning, ascend Meifeng Island for a panoramic view of the "World's Most Beautiful Water," experience water sports in the afternoon, visit the Underwater Ancient City Museum, and feel the grandeur and mystery of this man-made lake.

Attraction Arrangement
Qiandao Lake
China's largest man-made lake, named for its 1,078 islands, with water quality reaching National Class I standards, praised as the "World's Most Beautiful Water."
Wenyuan Lion City
A cultural theme scenic area recreating the underwater ancient city, reviving the thousand-year-old Lion City style, experiencing Huizhou-style architecture and traditional culture.
Practical Information
Return Trip Suggestions
  • Qiandao Lake to Hangzhou urban area: about 2.5 hours
  • To Hangzhou East Station: about 3 hours
  • Recommended to depart for return journey before 2:00 PM
Food Map
  • Qiandao Lake Fish Head
  • Ye Jiaojiao (Wild Delicacy)
  • Tea Garden Dried Tofu
  • Chun'an Rice Soup
Souvenir Recommendations
  • West Lake Longjing Tea
  • Hangzhou White Chrysanthemum
  • Wang Xingji Fans
  • Zhang Xiaoquan Scissors
  • Qiandao Lake Dried Fish

Must-Try Foods in Hangzhou

Dongpo Pork

A traditional Hangzhou dish named after the Northern Song literary giant Su Dongpo, with bright red color, rich sauce, meltingly tender yet holding its shape, fragrant and glutinous without being greasy.

West Lake Vinegar Fish

The premier dish of Hangzhou, selected from West Lake grass carp, with strict heat control requirements, tender fish meat, perfectly balanced sweet and sour flavor with a crab-like aroma.

Longjing Shrimp

A signature Hangzhou dish made with fresh river shrimp paired with pre-Qingming Longjing new tea, featuring jade-white tender shrimp and the fresh fragrance of green tea leaves.

Beggar's Chicken

A traditional Hangzhou dish using a tender young chicken stuffed with fillings, wrapped in West Lake lotus leaves, sealed with mud, and roasted over a fire, preserving the original juices and flavor.

Hangzhou Tourism Tips
Best Travel Time
  • Mar-May: Spring flowers bloom, pleasant temperatures, Longjing tea picking season
  • Sep-Nov: Crisp autumn air, osmanthus fragrance, West Lake Expo period
  • Jun-Aug: Hot summer, but West Lake lotus flowers in full bloom
  • Avoid National Day, May Day and other long holiday peaks
Must-Experience Activities
  • West Lake boat tour to Three Pools Mirroring the Moon
  • Lingyin Temple blessing and meditation
  • Xixi Wetland sculling boat experience
  • Songcheng "Eternal Romance" show
  • Longjing Village tea tasting and shopping
Budget Reference
  • Tickets: Approx. ¥500-800
  • Accommodation: ¥400-900/night
  • Dining: ¥200-400/day
  • Transportation: Approx. ¥250
  • Total: ¥1500-3000
Frequently Asked Questions
  • How long does West Lake tour take? → Recommended to allocate 1 day for a full lake loop
  • Does Lingyin Temple require advance booking? → Yes, book via WeChat official account
  • Which Qiandao Lake island is most worth visiting? → Meifeng Island has the best viewing platform
  • Is Hangzhou traffic congested? → Peak hours around scenic areas, public transport recommended