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Leifeng Pagoda across West Lake at dusk, seen from beside the Jixian Pavilion on the east shore

CITY / HANGZHOU

Hangzhou

West Lake mornings, Longjing tea hills and Lingyin Temple — an hour from Shanghai

Suggested days2–3 days
Best forLake walkers, tea drinkers
PaceUnhurried — lake pace
Getting aroundMetro plus walking; the west shore by bike

DO

Use the city well

Leifeng Pagoda across West Lake at dusk, seen from beside the Jixian Pavilion on the east shoreHangzhou · DoHangzhou First Time: West Lake Without the Crowd MathPlane trees canopying Yanggong Causeway on West Lake's western shore, HangzhouHangzhou · DoHangzhou City Walk: The Lake's West Side, SlowlyXizha, Wuzhen, after dark — lamplit wooden lattice houses along the canal, a small boat mid-stream and an arched bridge aheadHangzhou · DoDay Trips from Hangzhou: Shaoxing, Wuzhen and the Tea HillsTerraced Longjing tea fields climbing the wooded hills at Meijiawu, HangzhouHangzhou · DoHangzhou Souvenirs, Bought by Evidence: Longjing, Silk and the Folding FanCanopied leisure boats on West Lake at sunset, willow fronds at the shore, HangzhouHangzhou · DoWest Lake by Boat, Bike and Foot: The Three Ways Compared

STORIES

Stories from Hangzhou

Lingyin Temple: The Best Thing Here Is Outside the GateStory · Hangzhou

Lingyin Temple: The Best Thing Here Is Outside the Gate

Qiandao Lake: 1,078 Hilltops and Two Drowned County SeatsStory · Hangzhou

Qiandao Lake: 1,078 Hilltops and Two Drowned County Seats

West Lake: The Lake That Was Designed, Then RedesignedStory · Hangzhou

West Lake: The Lake That Was Designed, Then Redesigned

PRIVATE TRIP / SAMPLE ROUTES

Build a Hangzhou trip around your pace.

We will shape the route with a partner operator after dates, party size and priorities are clear. Priced sample routes live on Tours — an inquiry here is shaped around your dates and must-sees first.

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Try asking: Is Lingyin Temple free now, and do I still need to book? · What is the best way around West Lake — boat, bike or foot? · Can I do Hangzhou as a day trip from Shanghai?