Hangzhou packs an extraordinary range of attractions into its lake-and-hills landscape. West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage site, anchors the city with centuries of poetry, pagodas, and causeways woven into its shoreline. Beyond the lake, the Longjing tea terraces climb into the hills, ancient temples hide in forested valleys, and the Grand Canal threads through the city’s northern edge as it has for 1,400 years. This guide covers the essential sights with practical information on admission fees, opening hours, and how to reach each one using Hangzhou’s metro and bus network. Hangzhou
Things to Do in Hangzhou: West Lake and Lakeside Sights
West Lake (Xihu)
West Lake is the defining feature of Hangzhou, a 6.4-square-kilometer freshwater lake ringed by temples, pagodas, gardens, and causeways. The entire perimeter is free to walk, and a full circuit on foot takes about 4-5 hours covering roughly 12km. The lake is divided by three causeways: Su Causeway (2.8km, six bridges), Bai Causeway (1km), and Yanggong Causeway (3.4km). The Ten Scenes of West Lake, codified during the Southern Song Dynasty, mark the most photogenic viewpoints: Dawn on the Su Causeway in Spring, Leifeng Pagoda in Evening Glow, and Three Pools Mirroring the Moon (the image on the CNY 1 banknote). Electric boats run from multiple docks around the lake at CNY 55-70 per person. Free audio guides are available through the West Lake app. The closest metro station is Longxiangqiao (Line 1), a 5-minute walk to the lake’s eastern shore. Visit at sunrise (5:30-6:30am) to see the lake at its quietest before the tour groups arrive. Hangzhou weather by month best time to visit Hangzhou
Leifeng Pagoda
The current Leifeng Pagoda, rebuilt in 2002, stands on the southern shore of West Lake where the original 10th-century pagoda collapsed in 1924. The reconstruction houses the excavated foundations and relics of the original structure in its base, with an elevator whisking visitors to the upper floors for the best elevated lake view in Hangzhou. Each floor has carved panels telling the Legend of the White Snake, Hangzhou’s most famous folk tale. Admission is CNY 40 (CNY 20 for students). Open daily 8:00am to 8:30pm (March 15 to November 15), closing at 5:30pm in winter. The sunset view from the top is one of the Ten Scenes. Arrive by 4:30pm to secure a good position. Bus routes 4, 31, 51, 52, and 504 stop at Leifeng Pagoda. Alternatively, walk 20 minutes from the Su Causeway southern end. Hangzhou events and festivals
Three Pools Mirroring the Moon (Xiaoyingzhou Island)
This tiny island in the southern part of West Lake is famous for the three stone pagodas rising from the water, depicted on the back of the CNY 1 banknote. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, candles placed inside the pagodas create the illusion of multiple moons reflected on the water. The island itself is a landscaped garden with zigzag bridges, koi ponds, and pavilions. Reach it by ferry from Hubin (Lakeside) Pier, Zhongshan Pier, or Huagang Pier. The round-trip boat ticket costs CNY 55 including island admission (CNY 20 for the island alone if you already have a boat). Boats run 8:00am to 4:30pm. Allow 45-60 minutes on the island. The island closes during strong winds or heavy rain. best neighborhoods in Hangzhou
Things to Do in Hangzhou: Temples and Religious Sites
Lingyin Temple (Temple of the Soul’s Retreat)
Lingyin Temple is one of China’s largest and most important Buddhist temples, founded in 328 CE by the Indian monk Huili. The temple complex sits in a forested valley northwest of West Lake and requires two tickets: CNY 45 for the Feilai Feng (Flying Peak) grotto area with its 470+ stone carvings dating from the 10th to 14th centuries, and CNY 30 for the temple halls. The main hall contains a 24.8-meter camphor wood statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, one of the largest seated wooden Buddhas in China. Bus 7 from the city center (near Longxiangqiao metro) takes 30 minutes to the Lingyin stop; the temple entrance is a 10-minute walk from the bus stop. Open daily 7:00am to 6:00pm (5:15pm in winter). Arrive before 8:30am to experience the morning chanting and avoid the tour bus crowds that arrive by 9:30am. Combined with a visit to the adjacent tea village, allow 3 hours minimum. where to stay in Hangzhou
Jingci Temple
Jingci Temple on the southern shore of West Lake is famous for its Evening Bell, another of the Ten Scenes. The temple dates to 954 CE and was rebuilt in the 1980s. The massive bronze bell, cast in 1986 weighing over 10 tons, is rung 108 times each New Year’s Eve. On regular days, visitors can ring the bell for a small donation (CNY 10). The temple’s vegetarian restaurant serves inexpensive noodle soups (CNY 15-25). Admission is CNY 10. Open 6:30am to 5:00pm. Walk from Leifeng Pagoda (10 minutes south along Nanshan Road) or take bus 4, 12, or 31 to Jingci Temple stop. Hangzhou travel tips
Things to Do in Hangzhou: Tea Culture and Villages
Longjing Tea Village
Longjing (Dragon Well) Village, tucked in the hills west of West Lake, is the birthplace of China’s most famous green tea. The terraced tea bushes climb the hillsides, and during the spring harvest (late March to early April), you can watch tea pickers at work and visit small family-run processing workshops where leaves are hand-roasted in woks. The Longjing Tea Museum (free admission, 8:30am-4:30pm, closed Mondays) explains the history and grades of Longjing tea. Several tea houses offer tastings: a pot of premium Mingqian (pre-Qingming) Longjing costs CNY 80-150, while standard grades run CNY 30-60. To reach the village, take bus 27 from Yuefei Temple (northwest corner of West Lake) to the Longjing Village stop, about 25 minutes. The walk up through the terraces to Shifeng Mountain takes about 1 hour and offers the best views. Avoid buying tea from street hawkers near West Lake; purchase directly from village processors for authentic product.
Meijiawu Tea Village
Meijiawu, a quieter alternative to Longjing Village, sits further southwest in the hills. The village has a longer tea-producing history (over 600 years) and receives fewer tour groups. The main street is lined with tea houses where families serve their own production alongside simple home-cooked meals (CNY 50-80 per person for tea and lunch). Premier Zhou Enlai visited Meijiawu five times, and a small memorial hall commemorates his visits. Bus 324 from the city center takes about 40 minutes to Meijiawu. The walking path from Meijiawu through the tea terraces to Yunqi Bamboo Path takes about 90 minutes and connects two of Hangzhou’s most scenic spots. Best visited on weekday mornings when you might have the entire path to yourself.
China National Tea Museum
The China National Tea Museum, set among tea terraces near Longjing Village, is the country’s only national-level museum dedicated to tea. The museum is split into two campuses: Shuangfeng (tea history, processing, and varieties) and Longjing (tea ceremony demonstrations and tasting). Both are free. Shuangfeng campus is open 9:00am to 4:30pm (closed Tuesdays); Longjing campus hours are 9:00am to 4:00pm. The tea ceremony demonstrations (CNY 20-50 depending on tea grade) run at scheduled times throughout the day. The museum shop sells reliably authentic tea at fair prices, a better bet than street vendors. Bus 27 or 87 to Shuangfeng stop. Allow 1.5-2 hours.
Things to Do in Hangzhou: Parks and Nature
Xixi National Wetland Park
Xixi Wetland, 5km west of West Lake, is China’s first national wetland park covering 11.5 square kilometers of waterways, ponds, reed beds, and persimmon groves. The wetland is best explored by boat: a 4-person rowing boat costs CNY 100 per hour, while electric boats follow set routes at CNY 60 per person. The park preserves traditional waterside villages, mulberry fish ponds, and over 100 species of birds including egrets and kingfishers. The Plum Blossom Festival (February-March) and Dragon Boat Festival races (June, lunar calendar) are signature events. Admission is CNY 80 (CNY 40 in the off-season, December-March). Open 8:00am to 5:30pm (April-October), 8:00am to 5:00pm (November-March). Metro Line 3 to Xixi Wetland South station. Allow 3-4 hours for the full boat-and-walk circuit. The park is at its most photogenic in autumn when the persimmon trees turn orange and the reed beds glow gold.
Yunqi Bamboo Path
The Yunqi (Cloud-Dwelling) Bamboo Path is a 1.5km stone-paved walkway through dense bamboo forest in the hills southwest of West Lake. Tall bamboo arches overhead, creating a green tunnel that filters the sunlight. The path is relatively flat and takes about 30-40 minutes one way. At the top, a small temple and tea house offer rest and refreshments. Admission is CNY 8. Open 7:00am to 5:00pm. Combine with Meijiawu Tea Village via a connecting trail through the tea terraces (about 4km total). Bus 103 or 324 to Yunqi Bamboo Path stop. Best visited on misty mornings when the bamboo forest takes on an ethereal quality. Mosquito repellent is essential in summer.
Things to Do in Hangzhou: Heritage and Museums
Grand Canal (Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal)
The Grand Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage site, terminates in Hangzhou after running 1,776km from Beijing. The Hangzhou section passes through the city’s northern districts, with the best-preserved historic stretch at Gongchen Bridge in the Gongshu District. The China Grand Canal Museum (free, 9:00am-4:30pm, closed Mondays) near Gongchen Bridge explains the canal’s 2,500-year history. Evening canal cruises depart from Wulinmen Pier near Wulin Square: CNY 100-150 for a 1-hour trip on a traditional-style boat past illuminated bridges and historic warehouses. Metro Line 5 to The Grand Canal station, then a 10-minute walk to Gongchen Bridge. The area around Xiaohe Straight Street, a restored canal-side historic lane, has cafes, craft shops, and small museums in converted warehouses.
Hefang Street (Qinghefang Ancient Street)
Hefang Street is a restored Ming and Qing dynasty commercial street running 460 meters near Wushan Square, south of West Lake. The street is lined with traditional-style shops selling silk, tea, traditional Chinese medicine (the Huqingyutang pharmacy, founded 1874, still operates), paper fans, and calligraphy supplies. Street food stalls offer local specialties: beggar’s chicken (CNY 25), dingsheng cake (CNY 10 for a box of 8), and scallion pancakes (CNY 5-8). The street is touristy but the historic buildings are genuine, including several that date to the Southern Song Dynasty. The Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum inside Huqingyutang (free) is worth 20 minutes. Open-air, accessible 24 hours though shops operate roughly 9:00am to 10:00pm. Metro Line 1 to Ding’an Road station, exit C, walk 5 minutes. Combine with a visit to Wushan Hill, whose summit pagoda offers a panoramic city view.
China National Silk Museum
Hangzhou has been China’s silk capital for over 1,000 years, and the China National Silk Museum is the world’s largest museum devoted to the textile. Exhibits trace silk production from silkworm cultivation through weaving and dyeing, with artifacts dating back to the Neolithic period (4700 BCE) and a collection of 3,000+ historic silk garments. Live silkworm displays show the lifecycle, and weaving demonstrations run throughout the day. The museum is free. Open 9:00am to 5:00pm (closed Monday mornings, opens at noon). Located on Yuhuangshan Road near the southeast corner of West Lake. Bus 12 or 42 to Silk Museum stop. Allow 1.5-2 hours. The museum shop sells quality silk scarves and accessories at prices lower than Hefang Street tourist stalls.
