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Hangzhou

China travel guide

What to see in Hangzhou

West Lake, tea plantations and pagodas: the city the Chinese call paradise.

Updated 19 October 2026 · How we make our guides

  • 5 must-see places
  • Best time: from March to September and from November to January
  • Typical food: Dongpo pork
Photo: Windmemories · CC BY-SA 4.0

Hangzhou highlights

The places you can’t miss. In the app we sort them by day and close to each other.

  1. West Lake

    A World Heritage Site, with causeways, bridges and pagodas.

  2. Lingyin Temple

    One of China’s largest Buddhist temples, with Buddhas carved into the rock.

  3. Longjing tea plantations

    Where the famous “Dragon Well” green tea is grown.

  4. Pagoda of Six Harmonies

    Above the Qiantang River.

  5. Leifeng Pagoda

    With views of the lake at sunset.

Day trips from Hangzhou

We take you straight to the best-rated tour on GetYourGuide, with its reviews and dates.

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When to travel to Hangzhou

The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Hangzhou are from March to September and from November to January. If you can, avoid October (golden week).

  1. Jan no warnings
  2. Feb with warnings
  3. Mar no warnings
  4. Apr no warnings
  5. May no warnings
  6. Jun no warnings
  7. Jul no warnings
  8. Aug no warnings
  9. Sep no warnings
  10. Oct with strong warnings
  11. Nov no warnings
  12. Dec no warnings
  • February

    Lunar New Year (approximate dates)

    Millions of people travel at this time: trains and flights are full and expensive, and many shops and restaurants close for several days.

    What to do: Book transport weeks in advance and expect closures for the first three days.

  • October

    Golden Week

    From 1 to 7 October the whole of China travels: the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and the trains are packed.

    What to do: If you can, move your trip by a week; if not, book tickets in advance and visit first thing in the morning.

Typical food of Hangzhou

The dish you have to try there and how to make it at home, to whet your appetite before the trip (or to go back to Hangzhou from your kitchen).

Dongpo pork
Photo: Archon6812 · Public domain

Dongpo pork

Cubes of pork belly braised in Shaoxing wine and soy sauce until almost melting, named after the poet Su Dongpo, governor of Hangzhou in the 11th century.

  • Serves 4
  • 3 h

Ingredients

  • 800 g skin-on pork belly in one piece
  • 300 ml Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
  • 4 tablespoons of light soy sauce and 2 of dark
  • 40 g rock sugar or brown sugar
  • 1 large piece of ginger
  • 6 spring onions

How to make it at home

  1. Blanch the pork belly for 5 minutes, rinse it and cut into 5 cm squares. Tie them with kitchen string.
  2. Line the bottom of a pot with the spring onions and ginger and put the meat on top, skin side down.
  3. Add the wine, soy sauce and sugar, cover and cook over the lowest heat for 2 hours.
  4. Turn them over (skin side up) and steam for 30 minutes more.
  5. Reduce the sauce until glossy and serve one square per person with sauce and rice.

The trick: The lowest heat: it should be so tender you can cut it with chopsticks.

Where and what to eat

To eat like a local: a busy local spot with a queue. The dishes you can’t miss are in the China guide.

Frequently asked questions about Hangzhou

What to see in Hangzhou?

West Lake, Lingyin Temple, Longjing tea plantations, Pagoda of Six Harmonies and Leifeng Pagoda.

What to see in Hangzhou in one day?

Don’t miss West Lake, Lingyin Temple, Longjing tea plantations, Pagoda of Six Harmonies and Leifeng Pagoda. To split it into days and areas without crossing the city back and forth, the Bagintravel app plans your trip in a minute.

What’s the best time to travel to Hangzhou?

The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Hangzhou are from March to September and from November to January. If you can, avoid October (golden week).

What day trips can you take from Hangzhou?

From Shanghai.

What is the typical food of Hangzhou?

Dongpo pork. Cubes of pork belly braised in Shaoxing wine and soy sauce until almost melting, named after the poet Su Dongpo, governor of Hangzhou in the 11th century.

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Guide reviewed 19 October 2026. Places, areas and seasons: the same data the Bagintravel app uses. Sources and method.