Hangzhou Travel Guide
A Hangzhou guide for West Lake, tea villages, temples, and a relaxed lakeside pace close to Shanghai.
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Best for
- West Lake
- Tea culture
- Temples
- Relaxed pace
Where to stay
First-time visitors should prioritize metro access, central neighborhoods, and easy airport or station transfers. Good starter areas include West Lake area, Wulin, Xihu, Longjing tea villages.
Starter itinerary
- Day 1: West Lake walk, Leifeng Pagoda, and lakeside dining.
- Day 2: Lingyin Temple, tea village visit, and a boat ride.
- Day 3: Xixi Wetland or a day trip back through Shanghai.
Transport
Hangzhou is metro and taxi friendly around West Lake. High-speed rail from Shanghai takes under an hour.
Food to try
- West Lake fish
- Beggar's chicken
- Longjing shrimp
- Dongpo pork