Day 1
West Lake walk/bike → boat ride → Leifeng Pagoda → lake sunset
Quick Facts
Plan the city at a glance
Best for
West Lake, tea culture, scenic walks, Shanghai side trips
Recommended stay
1-2 days
Best time
March-May, September-November
Best base
West Lake area if budget allows
Signature foods
Dongpo pork · Longjing shrimp · West Lake fish · Tea desserts
Full guide
Read the complete city guide
City Snapshot
Why visit Hangzhou?
West Lake, tea culture, scenic walks, Shanghai side trips. Use this hub to jump from inspiration to practical planning without digging through scattered China guides.
West Lake is an experience, not one attraction
Weekdays are better than weekends
Tea villages deserve slow time
Lake-view hotels change the trip
Suggested Itinerary
A simple route that actually works
Day 2
Lingyin Temple → Longjing tea village → Hefang Street
Optional
Xixi Wetland for more nature
First-Time Must-Know
- West Lake is an experience, not one attraction
- Weekdays are better than weekends
- Tea villages deserve slow time
- Lake-view hotels change the trip
- Pairs perfectly with Shanghai and Suzhou
Food & Local Experiences
Dongpo porkLongjing shrimpWest Lake fishTea desserts
Read the full city guide Top Attractions
Marco Polo called Hangzhou the finest city in the world — see if you agree.
West Lake
UNESCO site — bike the 15km lakeside path or take a boat cruise.
Lingyin Temple
1,600-year-old temple with cliff carvings — peaceful despite crowds.
Longjing Tea Villages
Hike through terraces where China's most famous green tea is grown.
Hefang Street
Restored old street with teahouses, medicine shops, and street food.
Tea Culture
Hangzhou is the birthplace of Dragon Well (Longjing) tea — the most celebrated green tea in China.
Shanghai Side Trip
Hangzhou is the perfect 1-2 day escape from Shanghai.
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