China · Region
Hangzhou
Hangzhou is famed for West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape ringed by pagodas, gardens, and tea hills, and for its deep roots as a former imperial capital blending classical Chinese aesthetics with a modern tech-driven economy. It's also the birthplace of Longjing (Dragon Well) green tea, giving the surrounding countryside a distinct terraced, tea-garden character.
Top attractions
attraction Leifeng Pagoda: Hangzhou Travel Guide
Leifeng Pagoda sits on Sunset Hill at the southern edge of West Lake, at 15 Nan Shan Lu — the golden five-story tower you see gleaming across the water in every classic Hangzhou postcard.
attraction Xi Lake: Hangzhou Travel Guide
West Lake (Xī Hú, sometimes transliterated "Xi Lake") is Hangzhou's freshwater centerpiece and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, best explored on foot or bike along its 15km shoreline path, or by boat to the islands in the middle.
attraction Xixi National Wetland Park: Hangzhou Travel Guide (4.5★)
Xixi National Wetland Park is a sprawling network of canals, reed-lined ponds and old fishing villages on Hangzhou's western edge — open daily 7:30am–6:30pm. 4.5★ (210 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
attraction Zhejiang Art Museum: Hangzhou Travel Guide
Zhejiang Art Museum sits on Nanshan Road along West Lake's southern shore, a short walk from the Zhongshan Park / Leifeng Pagoda area — free or low-cost to enter (bring ID), best visited on a weekday morning when the galleries are near-empty and the lake path outside is still cool and shaded.
Top-rated things to do in Hangzhou
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Where to stay in Hangzhou
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Plan your trip to Hangzhou
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Frequently asked questions about Hangzhou
How do I get to Hangzhou?
Most travelers fly into Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH), located about 27km from the downtown area and connected to the city by metro lines including Line 1 and Line 7. Domestic visitors, especially from Shanghai, often arrive by high-speed rail into Hangzhou East Railway Station, with the fastest Shanghai–Hangzhou trains taking as little as ~45 minutes.
How many days should I spend in Hangzhou?
Plan for ~2-3 days, enough time to circle West Lake, explore a nearby tea village, and visit one or two historic temples or museums in the old city.
What is Hangzhou known for?
Hangzhou is famed for West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape ringed by pagodas, gardens, and tea hills, and for its deep roots as a former imperial capital blending classical Chinese aesthetics with a modern tech-driven economy. It's also the birthplace of Longjing (Dragon Well) green tea, giving the surrounding countryside a distinct terraced, tea-garden character.