The heavenly city
Enjoy the elegant lifestyle of Hangzhou, the best-known historic and cultural city (entitled by the government) and the ancient capital of Zhejiang Province in China. The history of this splendid city dates back over 2,200 years and is situated on the longest artificial river in the world; the Grand Canal and the most poetic sight formed in the west of Hangzhou; the West Lake, considered as UNESCO world heritage sites. You can spend your time hovering over the glorious tea plantation, shopping for decorative silk clothing and trinkets in the famous silk city, walking into the past of china at the ancient water towns (i.e. Nanxun and Wuzhen), cycling to the overwhelming ten scenes at West Lake, as rest of the jaw-dropping attractions await to give you an unforgettable trip.
You can visit Hangzhou all year round, but spring and fall are the most popular and attractive seasons to visit. Spring in Hangzhou features mild temperatures and sometimes rains with an average temperature of 14 – 23℃ (57 – 73℉). It is a pleasant time to ride bicycles through the city or stroll along the lakeside. Summer is hot and humid. July and August have drier weather with less rainfall, it is often between 23 – 31°C (73 – 88°F). Travlers can go swimming, fishing, and canoeing at Thousand Islets Lake Scenic Area as well as enjoy the breathtaking landscape.
In Hangzhou, autumn is the ideal time of year for outdoor activities because it’s sunny and comfortable. The typical temperature is between 10 – 17°C (50 – 63°F). Hangzhou experiences a chilly, dry winter with average temperatures around 3 – 10°C (37 a- 50°F). On a snowy day, travelers can enjoy the magnificent sight of the West Lake covered in snow.
West Lake
Since the ninth century, renowned philosophers, poets, and artists have drawn inspiration from Hangzhou's West Lake Cultural Landscape, which consists of the West Lake and the hills that encircle its three sides. In China, it embodies the very definition of classical elegance. Pagoda-topped hills rise over willow-lined waters as boats drift slowly through an idyll of leisurely charm. Around the lake's banks are walkways, thoughtfully placed benches, parks, and gardens that provide a thousand and one spots from which to view the flawless landscape.
Lingyin Temple
Lingyin Temple is the most ancient and well-known temple in Hangzhou with a history of nearly 1700 years. Nestled within an opulent forest, this place retains its allure with its breathtaking scenery and Buddhist customs. There is no doubt that as the most impressive feature in the West Lake area and is famous for being one of China's ten most well-known Buddhist temples. Travelers can enjoy the towering trees, numerous pagodas and Buddhist grottoes.
Longjing Tea Fields
Longjing Tea Village located in the hills near Hangzhou in Zhejiang province has been one of China’s most renowned tea plantations for more than 1,000 years. This is the place where the highly prized Dragon Well tea originates. During the harvest season between March and April, you can do tea picking in the terraced tea fields. Once you fill your small bag with tea leaves, heading to a neighboring tea house is a nice place to roast them in an iron pan. Then you can<br /> sample the famously delicate Dragon Well Tea you choose on your own.
Fei Lai Feng
Peak Flown From Afar, also known as Fei Lai Feng or Ling Jiu Feng, is a must-see attraction in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, and is located near to Lingyin Temple. It is a pure limestone peak rising to a height of 209 metres (about 700 feet), which sets it apart from the surrounding sandstone mountains. Approximately 330 stone figures from the tenth through the fourteenth century are kept within the caverns of this mountain. The statues might be seen standing, sitting, or even sleeping in different positions.
Hefang Street
Hefang Street is the most busy street in Hangzhou City. Hefang Street was a thriving commercial district and the hub of politics and culture during the South Song Dynasty. The most well-known and the only historically significant street in Hangzhou that has been conserved is Hefang Street. When travelers visit this bustling yet fascinating street, try local foods, see old buildings and shops that have survived the years, and appreciate the stunning artifacts.
Zhejiang cuisine is one of the Eight Culinary Traditions of Chinese cuisine. Hangzhou cuisine is light, mild and slightly sweet. It is customary to add a small amount of sugar to the food, which enhances its freshness. West Lake Fish in Vinegar is a meal that is emblematic of Hangzhou and instantly transports one to the picturesque West Lake. Beggar’s Chicken is another well-liked dish; it is baked after being coated in clay and lotus leaves. Tasty roasted chicken aroma wafts out when the outer wrapping is opened. The most important aspect of the Hangzhou style of cooking is being very particular about how the food is cut. The dish often comes with great knife skills, cutting food into shreds, slices, and cubes.
Must-try: West Lake fish in sweet and sour sauce, Shelled shrimp with Dragon Well tea, Dongpo pork, Beggars’ Chicken, Tofu with Eight Delicious, Fish Balls, Osmanthus and Chestnut Soup.
Air
One of the top ten biggest airports in China, Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (IATA: HGH, ICAO: ZSHC) serves as the city’s primary airport. The green surrounds and garden have earned it the moniker “Garden Airport.” The airport serves flights to east, southeast, and south Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America in addition to domestic flights within the rest of China. The airport is conveniently accessible by shuttle bus and is located 27 kilometers east of the city center of Hangzhou. You may get a shuttle bus to or from nearby cities including Wuzhen, Yiwu, Jinhua, Shaoxing, Jiaxing, and Suzhou, or you can take one from the city center.
Train
It is well worth the time to see the nearby cities of Shanghai, Suzhou, and Huangshan while on a tour in Hangzhou. Hangzhou East Railway Station is the departure point to the above cities. Travelers can also quickly take the bus or metro downtown, to the airport, or to other picturesque parts of the city from East Railway Station. Regular rail service in Hangzhou is a slower mode of transportation. For those who would rather travel at a leisurely pace, can consider taking a train from Hangzhou Railway Station. The primary train station in the city is Hangzhou Railway Station, often known as Cheng Zhan by the locals, which serves frequent trains to neighboring cities like Ningbo, Yiwu, Wenzhou, and Shanghai.