Paradise on Earth
Hangzhou
Marco Polo called it "the finest and most splendid city in the world" — and while Hangzhou has changed a bit since the 13th century, it's still one of China's most beautiful cities. West Lake is the centrepiece: pagodas, weeping willows, lotus flowers, and mist-shrouded causeways.
Best Time to Visit
March to May (spring blossoms around the lake) or September to November (autumn colours, clear skies). Summer is hot and humid. The West Lake lotus bloom peaks in July–August.
Daily Budget
Mid-range: $60–100/day. Similar pricing to Shanghai but slightly cheaper. West Lake is free to walk around. Longjing tea villages are free to explore.
Getting There
Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport (HGH) for flights. High-speed rail from Shanghai Hongqiao takes just 50 minutes ($15–20) — making it an easy day trip. Direct trains from Beijing (5h), Nanjing (1.5h), and Suzhou (1.5h).
Marco Polo called it "the finest and most splendid city in the world" — and while Hangzhou has changed a bit since the 13th century, it's still one of China's most beautiful cities. West Lake is the centrepiece: pagodas, weeping willows, lotus flowers, and mist-shrouded causeways. Beyond the lake, Hangzhou is China's tech capital (home to Alibaba) with a booming food and coffee scene. An easy day trip from Shanghai, but worth at least two nights.
Top Highlights
Longjing Tea Plantations
The hills west of the lake are covered in China's most famous green tea. Visit Meijiawu or Longjing Village to see the plantations, watch tea being hand-roasted, and buy direct from farmers. A pot of fresh Longjing at a tea house overlooking the fields is one of China's great experiences.
West Lake
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the reason Hangzhou exists. Walk or cycle the 15km lakeside path, take a wooden boat to Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, and watch the Impression West Lake fountain show at dusk. The best viewpoints are from Leifeng Pagoda (south) and Baochu Pagoda (north).
Local Tips
The public bikes and shared e-scooters around West Lake are the best way to get around. Walking the full lake takes 4–5 hours.
Dongpo Pork (东坡肉) — braised pork belly in soy and Shaoxing wine — is Hangzhou's signature dish. Try it at Louwailou, the 175-year-old restaurant on the lake.
Hupao Spring is a hidden gem 20 minutes southwest of the lake — a bamboo-forested valley where monks brewed tea 1,200 years ago. Peaceful and uncrowded.
Take the cable car to the top of Baoshi Mountain at sunset for the best aerial view of West Lake.
Hangzhou to Suzhou by train takes 1.5 hours — easy to combine in one trip.
