Hangzhou rewards visitors who arrive prepared. The city’s metro system is modern and easy to navigate, but the language barrier can be high outside the West Lake tourist zone. Mobile payments via Alipay and WeChat dominate, cash is increasingly rare, and international credit cards are accepted only at major hotels and upscale restaurants. This guide covers the practical information you need: from airport transfers and visa rules to tap water safety, tipping customs, and getting online behind the Great Firewall. Hangzhou
Hangzhou Travel Tips: Airport and Arrival
Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH) sits 27km east of the city center. The airport shuttle bus runs to Wulinmen (city center, CNY 20, 45-60 minutes) and to Hangzhou East Railway Station (CNY 20, 40 minutes). Buses depart every 15-30 minutes from 6:00am to 10:00pm. A taxi from the airport to the West Lake area costs CNY 120-150 and takes 45-60 minutes depending on traffic. The Didi (China’s Uber equivalent) fare is roughly CNY 100-120. Metro Line 1 does not yet reach the airport (extension under construction as of 2026, expected completion 2027). Alternatively, take the airport shuttle to Hangzhou East Station and transfer to Metro Line 1 or 4 for your final destination. The high-speed train from Hangzhou East Station reaches Shanghai Hongqiao in 45-60 minutes (CNY 73-118 depending on class), making Hangzhou an easy day trip or entry point alternative to Shanghai’s Pudong Airport. Hangzhou weather by month
Hangzhou Travel Tips: Getting Around
Hangzhou Metro operates 12 lines covering most of the city. Single-journey tickets cost CNY 2-8 depending on distance. The Hangzhou Metro app (available in English on iOS and Android) provides route planning and real-time departure information. Trains run from approximately 6:00am to 11:00pm. Key stations for visitors: Longxiangqiao (Line 1, West Lake east shore), Fengqi Road (Line 1/2 interchange, near lake north shore), Ding’an Road (Line 1, Hefang Street), Wulin Square (Line 1/3, city center), and Xixi Wetland South (Line 3). Buses cover routes not served by metro, including the tea hills and Lingyin Temple. Bus fare is CNY 2 (exact change or transport card). Bus 7 (city center to Lingyin Temple) and 27 (Yuefei Temple to Longjing Village) are the most useful tourist routes. Taxis start at CNY 11 for the first 3km, then CNY 2.50/km. A taxi across the city center costs CNY 20-40. Didi is generally cheaper and easier since you input the destination in the app, avoiding the need to explain your destination in Mandarin. Bike-sharing (Hellobike, Meituan Bike) is ubiquitous: scan the QR code with Alipay to unlock, CNY 1.50 for 30 minutes. best time to visit Hangzhou things to do in Hangzhou
Hangzhou Travel Tips: Visas and Entry
Most foreign visitors need a Chinese tourist visa (L visa) obtained from a Chinese embassy or consulate before travel. The standard tourist visa allows a 30-day stay with single or double entry. Citizens of Singapore, Brunei, and Japan (15 days) enjoy visa-free access. China’s 144-hour (6-day) transit visa-free policy applies at Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport for travelers from 53 eligible countries who are transiting to a third country. This allows you to visit Hangzhou and the surrounding Zhejiang Province without a visa, provided you hold a confirmed onward ticket to a different country departing within 144 hours. The 24-hour and 72-hour transit policies also apply at the airport. Always carry your passport: hotels register guests with the local Public Security Bureau, and police spot-checks on foreigners are legal, though rare in Hangzhou’s tourist areas. Hangzhou events and festivals
Hangzhou Travel Tips: Money and Payments
The Chinese yuan (CNY, also called renminbi or RMB) is the only accepted currency. Cash is increasingly rare: street food vendors, buskers, and even temple donation boxes display QR codes for mobile payment. Alipay and WeChat Pay dominate. International visitors can now link foreign credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) to Alipay through the app’s international version. Set this up before arriving; without mobile payment, you will struggle at small restaurants, local shops, and even some attractions. ATMs accepting foreign cards are available at the airport, major bank branches (Bank of China, ICBC), and inside large hotels. Withdrawals are limited to CNY 2,500-3,000 per transaction. Carry CNY 500-1,000 in cash as backup for the rare vendor who does not accept Alipay. Tipping is not practiced anywhere in China and offering one can cause confusion. Hotels add a 10-15% service charge automatically. best neighborhoods in Hangzhou
Hangzhou Travel Tips: Internet and Connectivity
China’s Great Firewall blocks Google, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp, YouTube, Gmail, and most Western news sites. You need a VPN installed and tested BEFORE arriving in China. ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Astrill have historically worked, but no VPN is 100% reliable as China actively blocks VPN servers. Install at least two different VPN services as backup. Purchase a Chinese SIM card at the airport or a China Mobile/China Unicom store (passport required, CNY 100-200 for a tourist plan with 10-20GB data). Alternatively, use an international roaming plan from your home carrier, which routes through your carrier’s network and bypasses the Great Firewall entirely. WiFi is available in all hotels and most cafes, though public WiFi networks require a Chinese phone number for SMS verification. Download offline maps (Maps.me or Google Maps offline mode) before arriving, as Google Maps does not function well in China even with a VPN due to GPS offset issues. Baidu Maps is the local alternative but is Chinese-language only. where to stay in Hangzhou
Hangzhou Travel Tips: Safety and Health
Hangzhou is one of China’s safest cities. Violent crime against foreigners is extremely rare. Pickpocketing can occur at crowded tourist sites during holidays (West Lake during Golden Week, Hefang Street on weekends), but is uncommon compared to European tourist cities. The emergency number is 110 (police), 120 (ambulance). Tap water is NOT safe to drink anywhere in China, including Hangzhou. All hotels provide bottled water or a kettle for boiling. Buy bottled water at convenience stores (CNY 2-3 for 500ml). The water used for tea in tea houses has been boiled and is safe. Air quality in Hangzhou is better than Beijing or Shanghai but can reach unhealthy levels during winter temperature inversions (December-February). Check the AQI on the Hangzhou Environmental Monitoring app. On poor air days, limit outdoor exertion and wear an N95 mask, available at pharmacies for CNY 10-30. The summer heat and humidity (July-August) pose a real risk of heat exhaustion: carry water, wear a hat, and plan indoor activities during the midday hours of 11:00am-3:00pm.
Hangzhou Travel Tips: Language and Communication
English is not widely spoken in Hangzhou outside of five-star hotel front desks and major tourist attraction ticket counters. Restaurant menus are typically Chinese-only with photos, and pointing at pictures or using a translation app is standard practice. Download Pleco (Chinese-English dictionary) and a translation app (Baidu Translate or Google Translate with offline Chinese pack) before arriving. Learn five essential phrases: ni hao (hello), xie xie (thank you), duo shao qian (how much?), wo yao zhe ge (I want this one, pointing), and cesuo zai nar (where is the toilet?). Having your hotel name and address written in Chinese characters (ask the front desk for a business card) is essential for showing taxi drivers. The Didi app allows you to input destinations in English and handles the driver communication.
Suggested Hotels in Hangzhou
Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake
Set on the northwest shore of West Lake in landscaped traditional gardens, the Four Seasons offers the definitive luxury Hangzhou experience with lake-view rooms, indoor and outdoor pools, and an acclaimed Chinese restaurant. Best for couples and luxury travelers seeking a lakefront resort with impeccable service. Check rates and availability
Midtown Shangri-La, Hangzhou
A 5-minute walk from West Lake on Qingchun Road, the Midtown Shangri-La delivers spacious rooms, four restaurants, and a fitness center with pool at a more accessible price than the lakeside luxury resorts. Best for families and business travelers who want a reliable international hotel near the lake without the ultra-premium price. Check rates and availability
Lemon Hotel Hangzhou West Lake
A clean budget hotel 8 minutes on foot from West Lake with compact but functional rooms, air conditioning, free WiFi, and a central location near Ding’an Road metro station. Best for solo travelers and backpackers who prioritize location and price over room size and amenities. Check rates and availability
