Hangzhou: Latest 2025 Travel Guide

🏙 Hangzhou Travel Guide

📍 Must-visit tourist hotspots (selected)

1. West Lake

   • One of China's most famous freshwater lakes, it offers different scenery in each season. Attractions such as "Broken Bridge in Snow" and "Su Causeway in Spring Dawn" are extremely poetic.
   • Editor's Tip: Walk around the lake, rent a bike, or take a boat tour. The views are most beautiful at sunset.

2. Lingyin Temple

   • The thousand-year-old temple is very popular, and the surrounding Feilai Peak stone carvings are worth seeing.
   • Editor’s tip: Go in the morning when there are fewer people and you can experience a quieter atmosphere.

3. Hefang Street & Southern Song Imperial Street

   • The old street is a concentration of culture and food, where you can enjoy eating while walking around.
   • Editor’s tip: The place is more lively when the lights are on at night, making it a great place to buy souvenirs.

4. Xixi National Wetland Park

   • It combines natural ecology and water village style, and you can take a rowboat to experience the water scenery.

5. Qiandao Lake

   • The lake is dotted with islands of various sizes, offering beautiful scenery and is suitable for a day trip or a short vacation.

6. Songcheng Scenic Area

   • A large-scale theme cultural park with unique Song Dynasty cultural performances, night views and urban customs.
   • Editor's Tip: The performance of "Songcheng Eternal Love" is a must-see, and it is recommended to book tickets in advance.

🍜 Must-try food in Hangzhou

1. West Lake Fish With Vinegar Sauce

   • Fresh and tender grass carp served with sweet and sour sauce, a classic Hangzhou flavor.

2. Dongpo Pork

   • The braised pork belly melts in your mouth, fatty but not greasy.

3. Katakawa

   • The noodles are served with pickled mustard greens, bamboo shoots and pork slices, and the soup is delicious. It is a homely dish for Hangzhou people.

4. Longjing Shrimp

   • Fresh shrimp cooked with local Longjing tea leaves are fragrant and refreshing.

5. Dingsheng Cake

   • Traditional rice flour pastry, auspicious in meaning, sweet but not greasy.

6. Zhiwei Xiaolongbao

   • Hangzhou's specialty soup dumplings, with their thin skin and rich soup, are the first choice for breakfast.

🚇 Hangzhou Traffic Tips

• Subway : covers major tourist attractions, train stations and airports, with fares starting from 2 yuan.
• Public transportation : Cheap but the frequency may not be very regular, suitable for short distances.
• Taxis & ride-hailing services : Faster than buses, but may be congested during peak hours.
• Shared bicycles : Hangzhou is the birthplace of shared bicycles and is very suitable for cycling around West Lake.
• High-speed rail & long-distance bus : Easily travel to and from Shanghai, Suzhou, Huangshan and other places.

📅 Editor's personal itinerary suggestion (3 days)

• Day 1 : West Lake Tour (Broken Bridge → Su Causeway → Leifeng Pagoda) → Hefang Street Night Market
• Day 2 : Lingyin Temple → Feilai Peak → Xixi Wetland
• Day 3 : Thousand Island Lake or Songcheng Town Day Trip → Dinner: West Lake Vinegar Fish & Dongpo Pork