Hangzhou

Hangzhou is well suited to a relaxed city getaway. West Lake’s scenery, the quiet tea culture around Lingyin Temple, and the everyday life along the Grand Canal each have their own character. Here’s a suggested 3-day, 2-night itinerary.

• West Lake: One of Hangzhou’s major attractions, open all day with free admission. Visit Broken Bridge in the Snow, Bai Causeway, Su Causeway, Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, and Leifeng Pagoda. Mornings and evenings are more comfortable times to visit and offer a chance to enjoy the sunset.

• Lingyin Temple: A thousand-year-old temple built beside Feilai Peak. You’ll need to buy a Feilai Peak ticket first (45 yuan), then a Lingyin Temple incense-flower ticket (30 yuan). Try to arrive before 8 a.m. You can collect free incense at the temple and try the vegetarian noodles.

• Faxi Temple: Quieter than Lingyin Temple, with yellow walls, tiered eaves, and stone steps creating a layered architectural scene. It’s a popular place to pray for love and a nice spot to explore at an unhurried pace.

• Nine Creeks in Misty Forest: A free natural area where streams wind through dense greenery. In autumn, red leaves reflect in the water. Wear flat shoes if you plan to walk around.

• Xiaohe Straight Street: A neighborhood that retains the feel of old Hangzhou, with cafés and small shops among white walls and dark tiled roofs. The lanes take on a calm, warm atmosphere when the lanterns come on at dusk.

• Gongchen Bridge: A landmark bridge on the Beijing–Hangzhou Grand Canal. From the bridge, you can look out over the canal; nearby, the Qiaoxi Historic and Cultural District makes a good addition to your visit.

A Classic 3-Day, 2-Night Itinerary

• Day 1: West Lake Views and Sunset
  • Morning: Start at Broken Bridge in the Snow and walk along Bai Causeway to Gushan Island, taking in the lake and lakeside scenery along the way. It’s usually less crowded in the morning.

• Afternoon: Take a boat to Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, then continue to Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor. In the evening, climb Leifeng Pagoda or watch the sunset over West Lake from Changqiao Park.

• Evening: Head to Hefang Street and Southern Song Imperial Street for dinner and a stroll. Try local snacks such as scallion-wrapped fried dough and Dingsheng cake, and see what the old town is like at night.

• Day 2: Temple Visit and Tea-Garden Walk
  • Morning: Get up early to visit Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak and pray for blessings. Spend the morning among the ancient temple buildings and wooded hills.

• Afternoon: Stop at Yongfu Temple for coffee or tea, then head to Nine Creeks in Misty Forest. Walk along the streams and through the tea gardens to enjoy the Jiangnan scenery.

• Evening: Back in the city, grab a late-night bite at Wulin Night Market or Shengli River Food Street.

• Day 3: Canal Culture and an Easy Departure
  • Morning: After a lie-in, take a leisurely walk around Xiaohe Straight Street and browse the shops and waterside buildings.

• Afternoon: Walk to Gongchen Bridge to see the Grand Canal and take a water bus. If time allows, visit the Southern Song Dynasty Deoksu Palace Site Museum for its holographic tour, then leave according to your travel plans.

Where to Stay in Hangzhou

• Hubin / Longxiangqiao: About a 3–5-minute walk from West Lake and a hub for Metro Line 1, with convenient dining and transport. It can be noisy in peak season, and room rates tend to be high. A good choice if you’re on a tight schedule.

• Wulin Square / Fengqi Road: In the city center’s shopping district, with two metro lines intersecting nearby and plenty of accommodation. It’s easy to transfer to reach different attractions, making it a good choice for families and students who value comfort.

• Hefang Street / Southern Song Imperial Street: Close to the old town, with plenty of local snacks and convenient evening activities. There are also many guesthouses, making this a good fit for visitors who enjoy traditional neighborhoods and local food.

• Lingyin / Longjing / Manjuelong: Surrounded by tea gardens and bamboo groves, with temple bells in the morning and a peaceful atmosphere. A good fit for a slow-paced trip and a contemplative mood, though it’s far from the city center.

Hangzhou Foods to Try

Along with West Lake vinegar fish, these Hangzhou specialties are worth adding to your meal plans.

• Pian’erchuan Noodles: Hangzhou noodles made with ingredients such as pickled mustard greens and bamboo shoots. The noodles are chewy and the broth savory; it’s a common local breakfast.

• Dongpo Pork: Richly colored and tender, with a melt-in-your-mouth texture that isn’t too greasy. It goes well with rice.

• Longjing Tea Shrimp: Tender, sweet shrimp with a light tea aroma, and one of the signature dishes of Hangzhou cuisine.

• Scallion-Wrapped Fried Dough: A spring pancake filled with a fried dough stick and scallions, pressed on a griddle until golden and crisp, then served with sweet chili sauce.

• Dingsheng Cake: A soft steamed cake made with glutinous rice. It symbolizes good fortune and also makes a nice gift to take home.

• Sister Song’s Fish Soup: A flavorful, gentle fish soup with a smooth, warming taste. It’s especially nice on cooler days.

Getting Around and Practical Tips

• Getting around: On holidays, alternate-day license plate restrictions apply around West Lake, and taxis can be hard to find. Consider using the metro and shared bikes, or taking a West Lake sightseeing bus to cut down on walking.
• Book ahead: For popular attractions and venues such as Lingyin Temple and Zhejiang Provincial Museum, it’s a good idea to book in advance through their official WeChat accounts to avoid being turned away.
• Incense: Free incense is usually available in the Lingyin Temple scenic area. There’s no need to buy expensive incense from street vendors; you can bring a peace charm instead.
• Avoid peak mealtimes: Restaurants around Hubin and near attractions can have long queues during meal times, and prices are relatively high. Try the lanes in shopping districts or residential neighborhoods, where you’ll find restaurants popular with locals.
• Autumn visits: If you’re visiting Hangzhou in October, head to Manjuelong to enjoy the fragrance of osmanthus or to Nine Creeks to see the red leaves.