Places to know
Eight to ten stops, with the neighborhood and why you would go. Hours and ticket prices change, so check them before you queue.
Park
West Lake
The lake itself. Walk a shore, sit, and take a boat only if you want the islands.
Landmark
Broken Bridge
The famous bridge at the north end of the Bai Causeway. A starting point, not a long visit.
Landmark
Su Causeway
The long planted causeway on the west side of the lake. The best walk if you only do one.
Viewpoint
Leifeng Pagoda
The pagoda on the south shore, with a view back over the water.
Temple
Lingyin Temple
A large Buddhist temple in the hills west of the lake, with carved cliffs at Feilai Feng beside it.
Neighborhood
Longjing
Tea village hills southwest of the lake. Walk the paths. Buy tea only from a shop you chose on purpose.
Neighborhood
Hefang Street
A pedestrian street of shops south of the lake, next to the old city.
Landmark
Six Harmonies Pagoda
A pagoda on the Qiantang River, south of the lake. A separate hop, not a lakeside stroll.
Nature
Xixi Wetland
A wetland park in the west of the city. Go if you want a day that is not the lake.
Landmark
Grand Canal
The historic canal north of downtown. Bridges and a waterside walk if the lake was enough scenery but you still want to be outside.
Three days
A sample, not a booking. Each day stays in one part of town. Move a stop if you are tired.
Day 1
The lake
One shore, done properly.
- MorningBroken Bridge
Start at the north end and walk onto the causeway.
- MorningWest Lake
Stay by the water. Do not collect every named pavilion.
- AfternoonSu Causeway
The west causeway if your morning was the north shore. Otherwise sit still. Both count.
- EveningLeifeng Pagoda
South shore pagoda, then dinner off the water.
Day 2
Hills and tea
West of the lake. The temple and the tea hills are the same direction.
- MorningLingyin Temple
Temple first, then the cliff carvings if the crowds allow.
- AfternoonLongjing
Village paths and tea. You do not have to buy any.
- EveningHefang Street
Back toward the old streets south of the lake for an easier dinner.
Day 3
A second landscape
Pick wetland or canal. Do not do both and the river pagoda.
- MorningXixi Wetland
The wetland if you want boats and paths away from the postcard lake.
- AfternoonGrand Canal
Swap Xixi for the canal if you would rather stay in the city.
- AfternoonSix Harmonies Pagoda
Only instead of the canal, if a pagoda on the river sounds better than more water lanes.
Getting around
Hangzhou has a metro, and West Lake also has buses and boats. Walking and a bike are the right tools on the shore. Use Amap, because "near the lake" covers a large area.
DiDi is for Lingyin, Longjing, and the ride back when you are on the wrong side of the water. The lake paths are not a grid.
Shanghai is a short high-speed rail ride away. That trip is optional and not part of these three days.
Food to try
Dongpo pork (braised pork belly) and West Lake vinegar fish are the dishes tied to the city. Longjing shrimp uses the local tea. Eat them, and also eat ordinary noodles when you are just hungry.
Drink Longjing tea. The expensive leaves are not required for a good cup in a normal teahouse.
Best time to visit
Spring and autumn are the lake seasons people mean when they describe Hangzhou. Summers are hot and humid. Winters are cool and can be gray, which some people prefer because the paths are quieter.
Lotus season is a summer reason to come if you like the plants and can take the heat. Do not expect every month to look like a willow painting.
Stay connected
A stable, hassle-free connection, where your apps work like they do back home.* Maps, DiDi, and payments all need data the moment you land.
- Alipay. Pay in shops and taxis, and open transit codes. Set it up before you fly.
- WeChat. Messages and pay. Most people in China use it.
- Amap. Transit and walking directions. Save the hotel address in Chinese.
- DiDi. Ride hailing. It also opens inside Alipay and WeChat.
- Trip.com. Trains and hotels, alongside the official 12306 app.
A plan for this trip
Three days is a short trip. China 5GB is the one to start with: 5 GB high-speed, 30 days, $9.90. Valid in mainland China (not Hong Kong or Macau). Launching soon · checkout opens with the store
* How apps work depends on the network route and isn't guaranteed. Your data is routed via Hong Kong, according to our network provider. Services and networks can change.
FAQ
What is the best time to visit Hangzhou?
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable around West Lake. Summers are hot and humid. Winters are cooler and often quieter.
How do you get around Hangzhou?
Walk or bike the lake shore. Use the metro for longer city hops, buses near the lake, and DiDi for Lingyin and Longjing.
Will a haalaan eSIM work in Hangzhou?
Yes. Hangzhou is in mainland China. Valid in mainland China (not Hong Kong or Macau). A 3-day trip is a good fit for the China 5GB plan.
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