Hangzhou Travelers Recommend

Despite being a massive, modern city of over six million people, Hangzhou still features a large number of ancient-style temples and pagodas where visitors feel as if they’re stepping back into the China of old. Here are a few not to be missed.

Lingyin Temple

This fourth-century temple, also known as the Temple of Soul’s Retreat, ranks among the most important Chinese Zen Buddhist shrines. Lingyin is perhaps best known for the 300 statues that monks and other artists carved over the centuries from the rocks and grottoes of the neighboring Peak Flown from Afar.

Six Harmonies Pagoda

Situated southwest of the UNESCO World Heritage–listed West Lake (Xihu), Six Harmonies Pagoda (aka Liuhe Pagoda) is an octagonal structure first constructed in the 10th century. It once served as a lighthouse for vessels on the Qiantang River. Today a narrow staircase leads to a viewing area affording excellent views of the surrounding area.

Leifeng Pagoda

Some of the best views over West Lake are from the top of the golden-spired Leifeng Pagoda. Originally built in the 10th century, the five-story, eight-sided pagoda has been modernized with conveniences like an elevator to the top of the tower.

Jingci Temple

While not as well known as Lingyin, this 10th-century Zen Buddhist temple has been fully restored to its original splendor, complete with a forged copper bell and carvings of the 68,000 characters of the Lotus Sutra on its facade. A massive seated statue of Buddha sits within the Great Treasure Hall.

With three days in Hangzhou, there’s plenty of time to experience the highlights, from the scenic sites of West Lake to historic temples and museums, and from tea villages to nearby water towns. Here are a few ways to experience the best of Hangzhou in three days.

Day 1: West Lake and Lingyin Temple

Spend your first day exploring the scenic sights of West Lake. Wake up early to watch dawn rise over the Su Causeway, one of the classic “Ten Scenes of West Lake.” Enjoy a boat cruise and make stops at Solitary Hill and Huagang (Flower Harbor) Park Wharf to explore Flower Harbor Park and Red Carp Pond. Stop by Leifeng Pagoda for panoramic views over West Lake. Then head to Lingyin Temple, a famous Buddhist temple known for the hundreds of Buddhist statues carved into the hills and inside caves.

If the timing works, try and catch the sunset from the eastern shore of West Lake, looking towards Leifeng Pagoda, another one of the classic Ten Scenes. Otherwise, end your first night with a performance of Impressions West Lake, directed by acclaimed director, Zhang Yimou. The musical performance uses West Lake as a stage.

Day 2: Museums, Tea Culture, and the Grand Canal

Spend part of your morning at the museum. Depending on your interest, check out the China National Silk Museum or the Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Next, stop to smell the flowers at either Hangzhou Botanical Garden or Guo’s Villa and Garden.

Head to a nearby tea village, either Meijiawu or Longjing (Dragon Well), for the afternoon. Enjoy a traditional tea ceremony and learn about tea culture and tea, especially Longjing tea, considered one of the finest in the world. Tea aficionados should also make a stop at the National Tea Museum. End the day on a sunset cruise on the Beijing – Hangzhou Grand Canal, the oldest and longest man-made waterway in the world, and admire the traditional waterfront buildings along the way.

Day 3: Six Harmonies Pagoda and a Water Town

Spend your morning exploring the Six Harmonies Pagoda. This 6-sided, 7-story pagoda is a masterpiece of ancient Chinese architecture, and it offers great views over the Qiantang River and its tidal bore. Then head over to Qinghefang Ancient Street to shop for souvenirs and a quick snack.

Finally, visit a nearby water town, such as Wuzhen, Xitang, or Shaoxing. Depending on the option chosen, take a boat cruise through the town where you might see a fabric workshop, a winery, museums, or check out ancient bridges, pavilions, and gardens. Stay for sunset and dinner in the water town, or head back to Hangzhou where you can shop at a night market, go bar hopping, or enjoy a final night cruise around West Lake.

The magical and mystifying Impression West Lake show is one of the most popular and well-known live shows in Hangzhou. Here’s everything you need to know about seeing this popular spectacle of music, dance, and theater staged atop the surface of the lake.

What You’ll See

For the show, hundreds of characters perform on a platform situated only three centimeters below the surface of West Lake, a feat of engineering that gives the illusion of dancers walking on water. The performance combines theatrics, music, and exceptionally choreographed dance and takes inspiration from ancient poetry and local legends. It’s directed by Zhang Yimou, a master filmmaker and stage producer who directed the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Where to Go

Impressions West Lake takes place entirely on West Lake in Hangzhou. The stage is situated opposite Yuefei Temple and Shangri-La Hotel on Beishan Road. Tours to the show often include hotel pickup and drop-off in Hangzhou.

When to Go

Live performances run twice nightly from March to December, and each lasts about an hour. The show closes during the cold winter season. Due to the open-air nature of the show, it’s a good idea to go during the drier months (typically October, November, and December).

Two days in Hangzhou is ample time to explore West Lake and the nearby tea villages; see a museum or two; and take a cruise down the Beijing–Hangzhou Grand Canal. Here’s how to make the most of 48 hours in Hangzhou.

Day 1: West Lake and Tea Culture

**Morning:**Start the day with sunrise over the Su Causeway, one of the classic Ten Scenes of West Lake. Boat cruises typically stop at Solitary Hill (Gu Hill) and Huagang (Flower Harbor) Park Wharf, to explore Flower Harbor Park and Red Carp Pond, another one of the Ten Scenes.

**Afternoon:**Devote the afternoon to either Meijiawu Tea Village or Longjing (Dragon Well) Tea Village, both of which produce Longjing tea, one of the finest in the world. Tours typically combine lunch in a teahouse with a tea ceremony, and give time to purchase tea and visit the National Tea Museum.

**Night:**Enjoy a performance of Impressions West Lake, which uses West Lake as the stage for music, dance, singing, opera, and other cultural highlights—guarantee a seat by booking tickets in advance. Afterwards, head to Qinghefang Ancient Street, the best-preserved historic street in the city. Grab dinner, drinks, and shop for souvenirs.

Day 2: Temples, Pagodas, and Museums

**Morning:**Spend the morning at Lingyin Temple. Also known as the Temple of the Soul’s Retreat, it’s one of the oldest and most famous Buddhist temples in China. Explore the temple grounds and also Flying Peak with a guide to fully appreciate the landmark. 

**Afternoon:**Dedicate the afternoon to a museum or peaceful garden. Top choices include the China National Silk Museum or the Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Hangzhou Botanical Garden or Gou’s Villa and Garden. Afterwards, head to the Six Harmonies (Liuhe) Pagoda, which offers wonderful views over the Qiantang River. 

**Night:**Head out for a sunset or evening cruise on the Beijing–Hanghzou Grand Canal, the longest man-made waterway in the world. Admire traditional waterfront buildings along the way. Afterwards, check out one of the night markets in town, such as Wulin Night Market or Wushan Night Market. Those looking for a big night can go bar or club hopping.

The streets of Hangzhou are lined with tea houses, the surrounding hills blanketed in rolling green-tea plantations. Famous for its valuable Longjing tea, the city has a history of tea production dating back over 1,500 years. Here are the best experiences to dive deep into Hangzhou’s tea culture. 

• Learn about China’s tea heritage at the China National Tea Museum in Longjing.

• See where some of the most expensive teas are grown at the Eighteen Imperial Tea Bushes.

• Practice the proper methods for picking, roasting, and tasting Chinese tea.

• Soak up the scenery in and around Dragon Well Tea Village, known for its terraced tea fields.

• Sit down for a local lunch in the home of a Hangzhou tea farmer.

• Sample several fragrant teas at the Meijiawu Tea Culture Village near West Lake.

Hailed as one of the most beautiful cities in China, Hangzhou and its scenic West Lake has been a source of inspiration to poets and painters for centuries; it’s also the source of some of the best tea in the world. Here’s how to make the most of one day in Hangzhou.

Morning: See the Sights of West Lake

Early risers should watch the sunrise over the Su Causeway, one of the Ten Scenes of West Lake. Afterwards, take a boat cruise around the lake; tours tend to stop at either Solitary Hill (Gu Hill), the only natural island in the lake, or Huagang (Flower Harbor) Park Wharf to explore Flower Harbor Park and Red Carp Pond.

After West Lake, head to either Lingyin Temple or Six Harmonies (Liuhe) Pagoda. Lingying Temple, known for the hundreds of stone Buddhist statues carved into the hillside. The 6-sided, 7-story Six Harmonies Pagoda is a masterpiece of ancient Chinese architecture and offers panoramic views over the Qiantang River.

Afternoon: Experience Tea Culture

Spend the afternoon learning about tea culture, in particular Longjing (Dragon Well) tea, considered one of the finest teas in China. Head to the terraced green hills of either Meijiawu Tea Village or Dragon Well Tea Village—also home to the National Tea Museum—on a tour, which typically comprise lunch in a teahouse and a tea ceremony, during which you’ll learn about tea planting and how to properly pour a cup. This is also a great opportunity to purchase tea under the supervision of an expert guide.

Night: Experience Local Culture

Head back to Hangzhou to catch a performance of Impressions West Lake. Directed by the acclaimed Zhang Yimou, it uses West Lake as its stage and combines music, dance, singing, opera, and other cultural highlights for a dazzling rendition of a local Hangzhou legend. 

Afterwards, head to Qinghefang Ancient Street, the best-preserved historic street in the city, to appreciate classical architecture, grab dinner and drinks, and shop for souvenirs.

First appearing in a 13th-century book by ancient Chinese writer Zhu Mu, the Ten Scenes of West Lake are arguably the most popular attractions in the entire city of Hangzhou. Each of these scenic spots is marked with a 4-character epithet, written in Chinese calligraphy. Here’s what you need to know about these destinations.   Spring Dawn at Su Causeway Best visited in spring when peach blossoms are at their peak, this 1.7-mile (2.8-kilometer) shaded causeway is a popular spot for biking and walking.   Lotus Pool and Curved Yard This spot on the site of a former winery is best known for cool breezes coming off the lake and the scent of lotus flowers, which bloom in abundance between June and August. The Curved Yard is now a public park. ** Autumn Moon Over Calm Lake** Visitors come to this garden on evenings when the moon is full to see its reflection on the water from pavilions, platforms, and a teahouse. ** Melting Snow on Broken Bridge** This romantic place gets its name from the snow that melts on the north side of the bridge first, as the south side sits in shade. The bridge isn’t really broken, but when viewed from a distance, the snowy side blends in with the surroundings, making it look like half the bridge is missing. ** Orioles Singing in the Willows** Situated on the southeast shores of West Lake, this imperial garden is dotted with willow trees where you can hear orioles singing in the summer months.   Fish Viewing at the Flower Pond Another popular spot in summer when the lotuses are in full bloom, this area at the southern end of Su Causeway features a goldfish pond, as well as a peony garden that blooms in April.   Sunset Glow at Leifeng Pagoda The postcard photograph of the sun setting over West Lake almost always features a silhouette of the Leifeng Pagoda in the background. Visit the 5-story structure by day, or view it at sunset from Changqiao or Xueshi Parks.   Two Peaks Piercing the Clouds When you stand at the south side of the lake and look across, you might notice two mountain peaks a few miles to the north. On misty mornings or days with low-lying clouds, these peaks often pierce through the mist.   Evening Bell Ringing at Nanping Hill Right around the time the sun begins to set over West Lake, the giant bell at Jingxi Temple is rung, and its sound reverberates across the lake.   Three Pools Mirroring the Moon This area is characterized by three hollow stone pagodas rising from the waters of the lake. The scene might just be the most popular in Hangzhou, as it appears on the 1-RMB bank note.