Hangzhou's main tourist attractions include West Lake, renowned for its "Ten Scenes of West Lake"; Lingyin Temple, surrounded by towering old trees and bustling with pilgrims; Songcheng, recreating the atmosphere of the Song Dynasty; and the spectacular natural wonder of the Qiantang River Tide.

Hangzhou’s Main History
Qin Dynasty founded Qiantang County; in 589 CE the Sui named it “Hangzhou.” The Southern Song made Lin’an (today’s Hangzhou) their capital for 140+ years. Ming-Qing saw a boom in silk, tea and handicrafts. Listed as one of China’s first National Famous Historical & Cultural Cities in 1982, Hangzhou is now home to UNESCO sites: West Lake, Grand Canal and Liangzhu Ancient City.

Hangzhou’s Latitude & Longitude
City centre: 30°16′ N, 120°12′ E.

Hangzhou’s Total Area
16,850 km².

Hangzhou’s Permanent Resident Population
≈ 12.35 million (end-2023).

Number & Names of Hangzhou Airports
2 airports: Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH) – primary civil airport; Jianqiao Airport – mainly military with limited civil use.

Number & Names of Hangzhou’s Main Railway Stations
4 principal stations: Hangzhou Railway Station, Hangzhou East, Hangzhou South, Hangzhou West.

When Hangzhou Opened Its Metro & How Many Lines Exist
First metro line opened 24 November 2012; as of June 2025 the network comprises 12 operating lines.

Hangzhou’s Geographic Position in China
Southern wing of the Yangtze River Delta, northern Zhejiang Province, on the northern shore of Hangzhou Bay and the southern terminus of the Grand Canal, c. 150 km southwest of Shanghai.

Hangzhou’s Geographic Features
Western Tianmu Mountains and other Zhexi hills in the west; eastern Hangjia-Hu Plain. Rivers and lakes crisscross the city; West Lake lies at its heart. Average elevation ≈ 42 m.

Hangzhou’s Climate Characteristics
North-subtropical monsoon: mild and humid with four distinct seasons; pronounced plum-rain period in early summer.

Months of Hangzhou’s Four Seasons
Spring: March–May
Summer: June–August
Autumn: September–November
Winter: December–February

Hangzhou’s Annual Average Temperature
≈ 16.8 °C.

Hangzhou’s Annual Average Precipitation
≈ 1,450 mm.

Best Times to Visit Hangzhou
Spring (March–May for blossoms) and autumn (September–November for clear, crisp weather).

Hangzhou’s Peak Tourist Seasons
Late March–May (West Lake peach blossoms & Longjing tea harvest) and September–October (National Day Golden Week).

Major Tourist Attractions
West Lake (Broken Bridge, Leifeng Pagoda, Three Pools Mirroring the Moon), Lingyin Temple, Xixi National Wetland Park, Liangzhu Ancient City Ruins, Grand Canal & Gongchen Bridge, Thousand-Islet Lake, Songcheng Theme Park.

Main Shopping Streets & Locations
Hubin Intime in77 (intersection of Dongpo & Pinghai Roads, Shangcheng District); Hefang Street-Southern Song Imperial Street (Zhongshan Middle Road, Shangcheng District).

Signature Hangzhou Specialties
West Lake Vinegar Fish, Longjing Prawns, Dongpo Pork, Beggar’s Chicken, Congbao-kui (scallion-wrapped pancake), Pian-er-chuan (noodle soup with preserved vegetables & pork), Ding-sheng Cake.

West Lake

A landmark attraction in Hangzhou, renowned for its beautiful lake and mountain scenery as well as its rich cultural landscapes. The ten scenic spots such as Su Causeway in Spring Dawn and Broken Bridge in Winter Snow are exquisite, and Solitary Hill and the Three Islets each have their own unique features, making it an excellent destination for tourists to experience the charm of Jiangnan water towns.

Lingyin Temple

Located by the side of West Lake, it is an ancient temple with a history of thousands of years and one of the important birthplaces of Zen Buddhism in China. With Beigao Peak behind and Feiyun Peak in front, the temple is surrounded by towering ancient trees and has a serene environment, making it a great place to experience religious cultural atmosphere and explore historical relics.

Xixi Wetland

China's first national 5A-level scenic spot and national wetland park, located at the junction of Xihu District and Yuhang District. It is rich in ecological resources, with elegant natural landscapes and profound cultural accumulations, offering a unique experience of urban wetland, agricultural wetland, and cultural wetland integrated together.

Qiandao Lake

Located in Chun'an County, west of Hangzhou, it is the lake with the most islands in the world. The lake water is clear, and the islands are scattered like stars. The natural scenery is charming, and it is known as "the most beautiful water in the world." It is a great place for leisure and vacation, as well as water entertainment.

Tangqi Ancient Town

Located in Linping District, Hangzhou, it is a representative of Jiangnan water towns. The ancient town has well-preserved features and profound cultural heritage, making it an excellent location to experience traditional water town life and taste authentic local cuisine.

Liuhe Tower

Located on Zhijiang Road, Xihu District, it was built in the Song Dynasty. The tower body is towering, and iron bells are hung at the eaves. The sound of the bells ringing with the wind is clear and melodious. It is an ideal place to understand ancient architectural art and enjoy a distant view from a height.

Wuzhen

A typical ancient town in Jiangnan water towns, famous for its original water town features and profound cultural heritage. Dongzha and Xizha each have their own characteristics, making it a must-visit destination to experience Chinese ancient town culture.

Click here to BOOK NOW