Hangzhou travel guide
Updated 9 November 2026
Lakeside city of gardens, pagodas and green-tea villages, under an hour from Shanghai by train.
Time needed1–2 days
Best timeMarch–May, September–November
Chinese name杭州
240-hour transitYes — approved port
Visa-free entry to Hangzhou
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH) — one of the 65 ports for 240-hour visa-free transit. Transit travellers entering here may stay in: Zhejiang Province.
Check your passport for Hangzhou →
Top things to do
- West Lake. Walk or cycle the Su and Bai causeways; take a boat to the islands.
- Lingyin Temple. One of China's largest Buddhist temples, with cliff carvings.
- Longjing (Dragon Well) tea villages. Tea terraces and tastings in the hills west of the lake.
- Xixi National Wetland Park. Boat rides through wetlands.
Getting around
Metro and bike-share; Hangzhou East station for high-speed trains to Shanghai (under 1 hour).
Where to stay
- Around West Lake — Walkable and scenic
- Hubin — Shops and restaurants near the lake
Hotels in Hangzhou that accept foreigners Affiliate link
Day trips
- Wuzhen water town
- Moganshan bamboo hills
What to eat
- Dongpo pork
- West Lake vinegar fish
- Longjing shrimp