West Lake (Xihu) area

Hangzhou, China

The city's scenic and cultural centre, with pagodas, causeways, and gardens ringing the lake, walking distance to many of Hangzhou's best restaurants.

Explore Hangzhou

Hangzhou — current status

Open. (Status checked 2026-08-30.)

Hangzhou — TL;DR

Hangzhou has long been held up in Chinese culture as one of the most beautiful cities in the country, its reputation built almost entirely around West Lake, the pagodas and temples surrounding it, and a refined regional cuisine that has attracted increasing culinary attention.

Hangzhou at a glance

What are the best things to do in Hangzhou? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Hangzhou trip feel like more than a checklist.
How many days do you need in Hangzhou? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Hangzhou — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for a nearby…
When is the best time to visit Hangzhou? March to May and September to November bring the best weather for walking or cycling around West Lake.
Where should I stay in Hangzhou for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport.
How do you get around Hangzhou? Hangzhou rewards visitors who mix walking with the local public transport network.

Hangzhou overview

March to May and September to November bring the best weather for walking or cycling around West Lake.
Hangzhou's metro reaches most of the city; West Lake itself is best explored on foot, by bike, or by the public boats that cross it.
Chinese Yuan (CNY)
Mandarin Chinese. English is common in tourism.
CST (UTC+8)
Restaurants around West Lake continue to reinterpret classic Hangzhou cuisine with more contemporary presentation, while a wave of new hotel openings through late 2025 and early 2026 has added to the lakefront's accommodation options.

Where to eat, drink & do in Hangzhou

Hangzhou neighborhoods

West Lake (Xihu) area The city's scenic and cultural centre, with pagodas, causeways, and gardens ringing the lake, walking distance to many of Hangzhou's best restaurants.
Xixi Home to the Xixi National Wetland Park, a quieter, greener district away from the lake's crowds.
West Lake shopping district The scenic district ringing West Lake, dense with hotels, restaurants, and the paths that inspired centuries of Chinese poetry and painting.

Practical info for Hangzhou

Getting around in Hangzhou? Hangzhou's metro reaches most of the city; West Lake itself is best explored on foot, by bike, or by the public boats that cross it.
When to go in Hangzhou? March to May and September to November bring the best weather for walking or cycling around West Lake.
What's changing now in Hangzhou? Restaurants around West Lake continue to reinterpret classic Hangzhou cuisine with more contemporary presentation, while a wave of new hotel openings through late 2025 and early 2026 has added to the lakefront's accommodation options.
Seek out Xixi National Wetland Park in Hangzhou? A wetland park within the city limits, offering boat rides through reed-lined waterways largely bypassed by West Lake-focused visitors.
Base yourself in West Lake (Xihu) area in Hangzhou? The city's scenic and cultural centre, with pagodas, causeways, and gardens ringing the lake, walking distance to many of Hangzhou's best restaurants. Known for west lake, temples, walking paths.

Frequently asked questions about Hangzhou

What are the best things to do in Hangzhou? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Hangzhou trip feel like more than a checklist. Book any high-demand entries in advance, keep evenings loose for a proper dinner, and leave at least one afternoon completely unplanned for the small discoveries Hangzhou tends to reward.
How many days do you need in Hangzhou? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Hangzhou — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for a nearby day-trip or a slow morning. Extend to five or six days if you plan to combine the city with the surrounding region.
When is the best time to visit Hangzhou? March to May and September to November bring the best weather for walking or cycling around West Lake.
Where should I stay in Hangzhou for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport. Avoid staying next to the main transit hubs unless convenience trumps atmosphere for your trip.
How do you get around Hangzhou? Hangzhou rewards visitors who mix walking with the local public transport network. Rideshare and taxis fill the gaps for late-night moves or trips outside the centre.

Practical notes for Hangzhou

Best time to visit: March to May and September to November bring the best weather for walking or cycling around West Lake.
Getting around: Hangzhou's metro reaches most of the city; West Lake itself is best explored on foot, by bike, or by the public boats that cross it.
Currency: Chinese Yuan (CNY)
Language: Mandarin Chinese. English is common in tourism.
Timezone: CST (UTC+8)
Current trends: Restaurants around West Lake continue to reinterpret classic Hangzhou cuisine with more contemporary presentation, while a wave of new hotel openings through late 2025 and early 2026 has added to the lakefront's accommodation options.

Other neighborhoods in Hangzhou

Xixi — Home to the Xixi National Wetland Park, a quieter, greener district away from the lake's crowds.
West Lake shopping district — The scenic district ringing West Lake, dense with hotels, restaurants, and the paths that inspired centuries of Chinese poetry and painting.

Read the full Hangzhou guide