Only 45 minutes from Shanghai by bullet train and you’re in a painting. If you came to China looking for beauty, Hangzhou is the place to see. Home to my favourite chain restaurant in China, Grandmas house (外婆家) If youre looking for a delicious, something for everyone kind of meal, don’t walk, run.
As someone who has lived in Hangzhou for the last two years I can confidently say this guide is tried and tested, from my own trials and tribulations I have put together exactly where to stay, the best things to do and the travel tips no one else tells you.
Scroll to the bottom for the 3 Day Itinerary.
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Where to Stay
West Lake 西湖 — the classic choice
- Best for: First-timers, explorers and photographers.
- You’re sleeping next to one of the most famous lakes in the world. Higher prices, tourist crowds and the restaurants are hit-or-miss. But you can wake up, walk five minutes and you’re in a Song Dynasty painting.
Longjing 龙井 Tea Fields— the green escape
- Best for: Tea lovers, slow travellers and nature lovers.
- Dragon Well tea fields, bamboo groves and the smell of fresh leaves everywhere. Stay in a tea house guesthouse or homestay, drink longjing cha (龙井茶) on your terrace and enjoy your peace and quiet.
Hefang Street 河坊街 — the old city
- Best for: Foodies, culture seekers and night owls.
- A great middle ground close to the lake and metro. An ancient street filled with lanterns, street food and traditional crafts. Touristy but atmospheric.
Xixi Wetland 西溪湿地 — the nature spot
- Best for: Families, bird watchers and peace seekers.
- Less famous and more underrated than West Lake but just as beautiful. Emerald wetlands, boat rides and the Impression West Lake show nearby.
My Pick: First trip? West Lake (西湖). Here for tea? Longjing (龙井). Here for food? Hefang Street (河坊街). On a budget? Xixi (西溪).
For the iconic hotels to budgets hostels, you can find my Top 10 Beijing Stays here!
8 Best Things to Do in Hangzhou
- West Lake 西湖
It’s the iconic symbol of Hangzhou. Every part of the lake has a beautiful view that’s worth seeing so grab a rental bike and complete the full loop — 15km flat. Su Causeway (苏堤) at dawn, Bai Causeway (白堤) at sunset, Three Pools Mirroring the Moon (三潭印月) on a boat. It’s been painted a thousand times and it still looks better in person. - Lingyin Temple 灵隐寺
One of the richest and most famous Buddhist temples in China, hidden in a valley, surrounded by rock carvings and forest. The entrance fee is for the park, the temple fee is separate, go early and beat the crowds. - Longjing Tea Fields 龙井茶园
This village is straight out of a story book. Rows of tea bushes, old women picking leaves and the smell of tea in the air! Pick a tea house, look out on the fields and take a break from the city rush. Bring comfortable shoes, you never know your next step here. The Meijiawu (梅家坞) area is the most scenic. Spring is harvest season — the leaves are greenest and the prices are highest. - Leifeng Pagoda 雷峰塔
This is a sensational view worth the ticket. Known as the pagoda from the Legend of the White Snake, but rebuilt with an elevator inside and looks over the West Lake. 10/10. - Hefang Street 河坊街
A pretty post card type of street lined with red lanterns, street food and traditional medicine shops. Go for some Dongpo rou (东坡肉) — braised pork belly named after the poet – here. - Wulin Night Market 武林夜市
For some real night market energy with stalls everywhere, tanghulu, fried squid and hold your breath for the stinky tofu. Open till midnight, packed with locals and the prices are street-level. - Xixi Wetland 西溪湿地
Wetlands, water villages and boat rides through narrow channels. Less crowded than West Lake and the Impression West Lake show is nearby — the famous Zhang Yimou light-and-water spectacle. Book tickets in advance. - Grand Canal 京杭大运河
The world’s longest artificial river, built over 1,000 years ago. Walk the Gongchen Bridge section, it’s a cute stroll.
More fun ideas for activites in the capital can be found in my Beijing Top 20 Activities Guide!
5 Top Travel Tips for Hangzhou
- The Bullet Train from Shanghai Is 45 Minutes
Hangzhou East (杭州东站) or Hangzhou Station (杭州站) — both connect to the metro. G-trains sell out on weekends and holidays. Book a few days ahead or stand in the corridor. Not fun with luggage. Save yourself and don’t rely on wifi for the map, grab an esim before you fly (personally recommend trip.com as you may not need a VPN to access your apps). - West Lake Is Bigger Than It Looks
15km to loop the full thing. Boat rides to the island in the middle — Three Pools Mirroring the Moon (三潭印月) — are touristy but essential. The classic view is from the water, not the shore. - Longjing Tea Prices Are Negotiable
The real first-flush spring tea is expensive. The “first flush” they’re selling in September is not. Taste before you buy, haggle politely and don’t buy from the first shop. The tea houses in the fields are more honest than the tourist stalls. - Impression West Lake
The outdoor light show on the lake is stunning but it’s at night and it’s cold by the water even in summer. Book tickets in advance, it sells out. The cheap seats are fine — it’s a big show. - Not All Dongpo Rou Is Equal
The braised pork belly named after Su Dongpo, the poet-governor who loved Hangzhou. The good stuff melts in your mouth. The bad stuff is fatty and sad. Lou Wai Lou (楼外楼) on West Lake is the famous one — touristy but decent. The local spots on Hefang Street are better value.
Looking for the essential travel tips for China as a whole – the apps, the gadgets and everything else you’re gonna need to optimise your time? You can read my first-timer guide here.
3-Day Hangzhou Itinerary
Day 1: The Lake
Morning: Bike Bai Causeway (白堤) at dawn — willows, lotus and the city waking up. Breakfast somewhere local near the lake.
Afternoon: Boat to Three Pools Mirroring the Moon (三潭印月) — the classic island view. Then bike Su Causeway (苏堤) — the longer, prettier stretch. Stop for dongpo rou (东坡肉) at a lakeside restaurant.
Evening: Climb Leifeng Pagoda (雷峰塔) at sunset — the view over the lake turns gold. Then head to a tasting tour on Hefang Street (河坊街) for lanterns, street food and the evening buzz.
Day 2: Temples & Tea
Morning: Lingyin Temple (灵隐寺) — early, before the crowds. The temple in the valley, the rock carvings, the incense. Peace before the buses arrive.
Afternoon: Longjing Tea Fields (龙井茶园) — Meijiawu (梅家坞) area. Walk the rows, visit a tea house, drink fresh longjing (龙井) and watch them roast leaves by hand. Buy a small bag if the price is right.
Evening: Back to the lake for a slow dinner and an early night because tomorrow is the night market.
Day 3: The Wetlands & Wulin
Morning: Xixi Wetland (西溪湿地) — boat ride through the channels, water villages and bird song. Quieter than West Lake, just as green.
Afternoon: Grand Canal (京杭大运河) — Gongchen Bridge section, water museums, watch the barges. Final dongpo rou (东坡肉) on Hefang Street.
Evening: Wulin Night Market (武林夜市) — the real send-off. Skewers, bubble tea, fried squid, stinky tofu and the chaos of a proper Chinese night market. Eat till you can’t move, wander till you can’t walk and roll yourself to the train station. The stinky tofu can catch up to you real fast so make sure you cover your tracks with travel insurance before you go.
Where to Next? Your China City Guides
To help you decide your next Chinese adventure, I’ve written detailed guides for every city I’ve loved and hated from my very own archives. Including where to stay, the best hotels, top things to do, eat and a 3 day itinerary, check them out below.
