Hangzhou
About Hangzhou
Hangzhou is China's most poetic metropolis: 1,000-year-old pagodas mirror themselves in glassy West Lake, while bullet trains glide past tea-covered hills. Once the capital of the Southern Song dynasty (1138-1279), it became the endpoint of the Grand Canal and the birthplace of Longjing tea culture. Today, it blends imperial elegance with tech-savvy buzz—Alibaba's headquarters sits beside bamboo forests, and bike-sharing white bikes trace the same lanes once walked by Su Dongpo. Local food is delicate, seasonal and soy-rich: West Lake vinegar fish sweet-and-sour, beggar's chicken wrapped in lotus leaf, and the humble 'pian er chuan' (hand-pulled noodle soup with cured ham and bamboo shoots) served in candle-lit hutong stalls.
西湖 | West Lake
UNESCO lake ringed by 36 classic scenes; pedal or boat between willows and lotus ponds.
雷峰塔 | Leifeng Pagoda
Rebuilt 2002 on the original 975 AD site; sunset views over the lake.
灵隐寺 | Lingyin Temple
1,700-year-old Zen temple carved into a bamboo gorge; climb Feilai Peak grottoes.
西溪湿地 | Xixi Wetland
Venice-like waterways, reed mazes and firefly nights; China's first national wetland park.
宋城 | Songcheng Theme Park
Time-travel show park recreating 12-century Song dynasty streets and acrobatics.
千岛湖 | Qiandao Lake
1,087 emerald islets formed by a 1959 dam; take a speedboat to the underwater Lion City.
河坊街 | Hefang Street
Ming-Qing pedestrian lane for snacks, silk and handmade fans.
中国茶叶博物馆 | China Tea Museum
Interactive journey through 3,000 years of tea culture, inside Longjing tea terraces.
九溪十八涧 | Nine Creeks & Eighteen Gullies
Bamboo-shaded hike to hidden waterfalls; best in spring drizzle.
龙井茶园 | Longjing Tea Plantation
Walk among the world-famous Dragon Well tea bushes and sip first-flush brew.
南宋御街 | Imperial Street of Southern Song
Archaeological promenade showing 800-year-old palace foundations.
湘湖 | Xiang Lake
Smaller, quieter lake ringed with lotus farms and the 8,000-year-old Kuahuqiao site.
拱宸桥 & 京杭大运河 | Gongchen Bridge & Grand Canal
400-year-old stone arch bridge and living canal museum; night boat rides.
良渚博物院 | Liangzhu Museum
UNESCO World Heritage showcasing 5,300-year-old jade civilization.
云栖竹径 | Yunqi Bamboo Path
1 km tunnel of giant bamboo leading to ancient temple bells.
素勤饮食店 | Suqin Eatery
20-year family kitchen run by an 80-year-old grandma; must-try white-cut chicken & stinky tofu.
徐奶奶地道杭菜 | Grandma Xu's Hangzhou Dishes
Home-style braised pork intestine & vegetarian goose; usually sold out by 3 p.m.
天诚小吃 | Tiancheng Snacks
Hidden alley canteen famous for slow-stewed milky fish soup and yolk-crispy pork.
十九队饭店 | Brigade No.19 Restaurant
40-year-old former commune canteen; order by pointing at the blackboard—braised intestine is king.
味之缘 | Wei Zhi Yuan
Guardian of old-school 'scallion pork wraps' near the Qiantang River.
曹家桥树金鹅肉馆 | Caojiaqiao Shujin Goose House
White-cut goose so fragrant locals buy it by the half-bird; ¥50 / 500 g.
欢欢饭店 | Huanhuan Wild Duck
Wild duck slow-cooked with ham in pressure cooker—unique to Hangzhou.
胖大姐臭豆腐 | Sister Fat Stinky Tofu
Night-owl stall that starts at 9 p.m.; order tofu with braised duck tongue.
财发家常菜 | Caifa Home-Style
Pig-brain steamed on stinky tofu—surprisingly creamy and umami.
宝中宝食府 | Baozhongbao Restaurant
'Kidney King' cold dish—crispy pork kidney in chili-garlic sauce.
方家厨房 | Fangjia Kitchen
Crispy pork intestine with plum sauce; dark-menu stinky-tofu shrimp hotpot.
无名氏面馆 | Nameless Noodle Shop
30 m² hole-in-the-wall selling 700 bowls a day; signature soy-braised pork chop noodles.
芳明小吃 | Fangming Snacks
Always queue; sweet-sour pork, water-cooked sliced pork, grandma-style tofu.
赵宝美点心 | Zhao Baomei Snack
Legendary scallion pan-fried buns and tiny wontons since 1993.
凡老头米线砂锅 | Fan Laotou Rice-Noodle Pot
24-hour claypot joint famous for chewy rice noodles and fall-off-the-bone chicken feet.
High value, low price local experiences
龙井采茶体验 | Longjing Tea Picking
Pick and roast your own Longjing leaves in the village; ¥60 incl. guide & tasting.
西湖夜游船 | West Lake Night Cruise
45-min boat ride with live guzheng music under moonlit bridges.
手工纸伞彩绘 | Hand-Painted Oil-Paper Umbrella
60-min workshop to paint your own lotus or phoenix umbrella; ¥40.
南宋点茶仪式 | Southern Song Dynasty Tea Dots
Whisk powdered tea like 800 years ago; receive a porcelain tea bowl.
丝绸手绘 | Silk Hand-Painting
Draw your own pattern on mulberry silk scarf; ready in 30 min.
西湖汉服租赁 | West Lake Hanfu Rental
Dress in Tang-style hanfu, get free photos at Broken Bridge; ¥80 half-day.
西溪摇橹船 | Xixi Gondola Ride
Glide through narrow reed canals guided by a singing boatman; ¥20 pp.
运河夜航 | Grand Canal Night Boat
1-hour neon-lit ride under historic stone bridges; ¥30.
西湖盖碗咖啡 | West Lake Gaiwan Coffee
Sip pour-over served in traditional lidded tea cups at lakeside café.