Explore Hangzhou
Hangzhou Travel Guide:
Welcome to Hangzhou! Hangzhou is a city where ancient heritage harmonizes with modern innovation. Renowned for the West Lake—a poetic landscape of bridges, pagodas, and tea fields—Hangzhou has been celebrated by scholars and poets for centuries as a symbol of classical Chinese aesthetics. As a pivotal hub of the Silk Road and the Grand Canal, the city boasts a rich intellectual and mercantile history. Today, it thrives as a center for technology and e-commerce, home to global giants like Alibaba, while preserving traditions such as Longjing tea culture and Liangzhu Neolithic civilization. With its blend of timeless charm and cutting-edge dynamism, Hangzhou offers a compelling window into China’s past and future.
Must-Visit Attractions
1. West Lake
The soul of Hangzhou and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Highlights:
Stroll along Su Causeway or Bai Causeway
Take a boat cruise (especially at sunset)
Visit Mid-Lake Pavilion and Three Pools Mirroring the Moon
Enjoy the musical fountain show (evenings)
2. Lingyin Temple
Hangzhou's most famous Buddhist temple with over 1,600 years of history.Highlights:
Feilai Feng Grottoes and rock carvings
The giant Sakyamuni Buddha statue in the Great Hall
Tea plantations surrounding the temple
3. Longjing Village
Home of Longjing tea, China's most famous green tea.Highlights:
Climb the mountains surrounding the village
Taste the decent Longjing green tea
4. Xixi National Wetland Park
China's first national wetland park.Highlights:
Take a boat tour through the wetlands
Visit local folk culture exhibitions
5. Gongchen Bridge & the Grand Canal
One of Hangzhou’s most iconic ancient stone bridges, Gongchen Bridge spans the Grand Canal. It was a vital gateway for trade and transportation along the historic canal.Highlights:
Visit the China Grand Canal Museum nearby to learn about the canal’s history
Take a water bus or night cruise along the Grand Canal
Explore the surrounding historic blocks with Qing Dynasty-style buildings
