Hangzhou

A Timeless Blend of Serenity

Hangzhou in China presents a calm urban environment with wide rivers and old streets lined by willow trees. The city sits near West Lake, where locals walk paths surrounded by gardens and historic temples. Tea fields stretch across hills north of the lake, producing green tea known worldwide for its fresh taste. Markets offer silk fabrics, bamboo crafts and local snacks like sweet rice dumplings. Public transport moves smoothly between neighborhoods, making daily life easy to follow without rush or confusion.

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City in China

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

See price details

Safety: 7.5

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	7
Accessibility:	6
Tap water:	7

Read details

3/5

English is moderately spoken, especially in tourist areas, hotels, and by younger generations. However, outside of these areas, communication in English can be more challenging.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

* We earn a commission from some links on this page.

Hangzhou Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work

Famous for lake scenery and classical gardens. Walk around West Lake, visit temples and pagodas, cycle scenic paths and enjoy tea culture.

Place score

7.9

Best at:

Street food

Luxury shopping

Guided tours

Large cities

Lakes

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

❤️ 8

Couples

💻 8

Digital Nomads

China – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	220 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type A , Type I Type A: Type I: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY) £1 ≈ CN¥8.88
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted in China, particularly in urban areas. Mobile payment services like Alipay and WeChat Pay are commonly used. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not customary in China and is not expected, although it may be appreciated in high-end restaurants or by hotel staff for exceptional service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally not allowed in many places in China, but it is common in restaurants and bars.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in many indoor public spaces, such as restaurants and public transport, but enforcement can vary.

Chinese New Year (January/February)	Major holiday with family gatherings and public celebrations
National Day (1 October)	National holiday with parades and festivities

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 110 (Police), 120 (Ambulance), 119 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	DiDi, Uber
Other:	China is known for its vast cultural heritage, including historical landmarks like the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Terracotta Army. It offers diverse landscapes ranging from mountains to beaches.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Hangzhou, China

☁️

Jan

☁️

Feb

🌦️

Mar

🌦️

Apr

🌦️

May

⛈️

Jun

🌦️

Jul

🌦️

Aug

🌦️

Sep

🌥️

Oct

🌤️

Nov

🌤️

Dec

High season:	April - May, Oct. - Nov.
Shoulder season:	March, Sep.
Crowdedness:	9 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Chinese public holidays (May Day, 1 to 7 October Golden Week, Qingming in early April) bring very heavy domestic crowds at West Lake

Plum rain season mid June to early July: weeks of steady rain and high humidity

Chinese New Year (late January to mid February): many shops and restaurants close for several days

Don't miss

🌊 Explore the serene West Lake by boat or bike
⛩️ Visit the historic Lingyin Temple and Buddhist grottoes
🍵 Taste authentic Longjing green tea at Meijiawu Village
🏯 Climb Leifeng Pagoda for panoramic city views
🌸 Stroll along Su Causeway in spring bloom
🏘️ Discover traditional culture on Qinghefang Old Street

You've been here?

Why travel to Hangzhou?

Hangzhou offers an enchanting mix of cultural heritage and natural beauty. The tranquil West Lake, surrounded by classical gardens and pagodas, is like a scene from an ancient Chinese scroll. The city is also rich in history, with fascinating temples, tea plantations and a vibrant food scene. Hangzhou's charm lies in its ability to make you feel peaceful yet curious, offering both relaxation and exploration. The city can be crowded, especially during holidays and air quality varies, so plan accordingly.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Leifeng Pagoda
2 Song dynasty town
3 Lingyin Temple
4 China National Silk Museum
5 Hangzhou museum
6 Guo's Villa

🎡Places for activities

1 Hangzhou Cuisine museum
2 Hefang Street
3 Lingyin Temple
4 Grand Canal

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 West Lake
2 Huanglong Cave
3 Qiantang River Bridge
4 Jade Emperor Mountain
5 Xixi National Wetland Park

🛍️Shopping

1 Hefang Street
2 China National Tea Museum (Shuangfeng)
3 Wulin Road
4 HUBIN INTIME

🎈Events

West Lake International Expo
Qiantang River Tide Watching Festival
Longjing Tea Festival
Hangzhou International Marathon
Hangzhou International Animation Festival
Chinese New Year Celebrations
Mid-Autumn Festival
Dragon Boat Festival
Silk Road International Film Festival
Song Dynasty Cultural Festival

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Buy West Lake boat tickets early morning.
Cycle Su Causeway at dawn for misty pagoda views and fewer tourists.
Visit Longjing tea plantations springtime for fresh harvest and tastings.
Explore Hefang Street night market for street food, silk shops and lantern-lit vibes.

How to travel to Hangzhou

Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH) has direct flights to major cities worldwide. It's also well-connected by high-speed trains, including routes from Shanghai, Beijing and other Chinese cities.

Access summary

From Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport (HGH): Metro or taxi, typically 35–60 minutes.
From Shanghai: Frequent high-speed trains, usually around 45–70 minutes.
From Beijing: High-speed trains about 4.5–6 hours; flights around 2 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Hangzhou

Hangzhou offers a range of accommodations, from luxury hotels overlooking West Lake to budget-friendly guesthouses. Staying near West Lake or in the historic districts is recommended for easy access to attractions.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Zhe Da Yuan Zheng Lan She Hotel

9.4

Wyndham Grand Plaza Royale Hangzhou

8.7

Huachen International Hotel

8.1

Nostalgia S Hotel - Hangzhou West Lake Intime

9.7

Hangzhou Sofitel Westlake Hotel

8.6

Hangzhou Xihu State Guest House

9.3

Grand Hyatt Hangzhou

8.8

Hangzhou West Lake Milan Hotel

8.9

Oakwood Residence Hangzhou

8.4

The East Hotel Hangzhou

8.7

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Hangzhou

Public transportation is convenient, with buses, metro lines and taxis widely available. Biking is popular, especially around West Lake. The Hangzhou Metro connects key attractions and the city has a good public bike‑sharing system.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-64 %

Daily expenses in Hangzhou are around 64% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-1 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to CNY) is 1% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£30	£66	£177
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£15	£38	£90
🍝 Food per day	£13	£25	£78
🚕 Transportation per day	£2	£3	£9

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£10
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£3
🍟 Fast food combo	£3.80
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£4.50
☕ Cappuccino	£3
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£1.50

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.43
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£5
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.85

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£6
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£46
🤧 Cold medication	£3.70
💇 Basic haircut	£4

Safety information overview

General safety

Hangzhou is generally safe for tourists, with low crime rates. As with any city, keep an eye on your belongings in crowded places.

Health & Medical

Healthcare quality is good, with hospitals offering modern facilities. International clinics are available, but travel insurance is recommended for comprehensive coverage.

Accessibility

The city is quite accessible, with ramps and facilities at major attractions and hotels. However, older areas and public transport may pose challenges for those with mobility issues.

Tap water

Tap water is not drinkable. It is recommended to drink bottled water and ensure ice and water used in food preparation are from safe sources.

Packing recommendations for Hangzhou

📷

Camera

👟

Comfortable walking shoes

🚰

Reusable water bottle

👕

Light, breathable clothing

for summer

Universal travel adaptor

💳

Credit card with no foreign transaction fees

Nearby recommended places

Hong Kong

Shanghai

Beijing

Chengdu

Suzhou

Nanjing

Guilin

Fuzhou

Huangshan

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Summary:	Cold and damp, outdoor sightseeing is unpleasant
Temperature:	2 – 8 °C
Water temp.:	10 °C
Rain:	82 mm (Moderate rainy days)
Crowdedness:	Not touristy

Summary:	Cold and damp, plum blossoms starting
Temperature:	4 – 10 °C
Water temp.:	9 °C
Rain:	89 mm (Moderate rainy days)
Crowdedness:	Few tourists

Summary:	Mild and fresh, spring blossoms around West Lake
Temperature:	7 – 15 °C
Water temp.:	10 °C
Rain:	142 mm (Frequent heavy rain)
Crowdedness:	Many tourists

Summary:	Mild and pleasant, spring tea harvest
Temperature:	12 – 21 °C
Water temp.:	15 °C
Rain:	124 mm (Frequent heavy rain)
Crowdedness:	Very crowded

Summary:	Warm and pleasant, good for sightseeing
Temperature:	18 – 26 °C
Water temp.:	19 °C
Rain:	127 mm (Frequent heavy rain)
Crowdedness:	Very crowded