Hangzhou is a beautiful city in Zhejiang Province, eastern China. It’s a city full of history, poetry, and rich culture. As a famous saying in China goes, “In heaven, there is paradise. On earth, there are Suzhou and Hangzhou.” It is certainly one of the top destinations in China. With its own international airport, Hangzhou is very convenient for visitors to reach.
With a history of over 2,200 years, Hangzhou was once the capital of South Song Dynasty. There’re many ancient temples and pagodas. It is the famous silk capital of China and the origin place of the world-renowned Longjing tea. To help you plan the perfect trip to Hangzhou, here’re the top 10 things to do in Hangzhou, China.
1. Tour the Famous West Lake
Visiting the West Lake is the best thing to do in Hangzhou. It is the iconic landmark of the city and is even featured on the one yuan note of the Chinese currency. Throughout Chinese history, the West Lake has been a source of inspiration for poets and artists. You can stroll around the lake, rent a bike, or take a boat ride. It is the best free activity to do in Hangzhou.
The West Lake is a UNESCO World Heritage Site most famous for its “Ten Scenes of West Lake,” including Lotus Swaying in the Breeze, Leifeng Pagoda in the Sunset, Two Peaks Piercing through the Clouds, Evening Bell Ringing at Nanping Hill, Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon, Lingering Snow over the Broken Bridge in Winter, and other iconic views.
At night, you can extend your visit to see the amazing open-air night show, Impression West Lake. It is directed by the famous Chinese filmmaker Yimou Zhang, who also directed the 2008 Beijing Olympics’ opening ceremony. The show is set on the West Lake, combines lights, music, dance, plays, and special effects to tell a romantic story set in Hangzhou. It’ll be a memorable part of your trip to Hangzhou.
Recommended West Lake Tour: Best Hangzhou Day Tour
2. Make a Day Trip to the Nearby Water Towns
If you’re wondering about what to do in Hangzhou, why not make a day trip to the nearby water towns? Some of the most famous water towns in China are within driving distance from Hangzhou. These ancient towns are praised for their winding canals, traditional architecture, and narrow lanes. Learn about the daily life of the locals and get a sense of the rich history of the region.
Two of the most recommended water towns near Hangzhou are Wuzhen and Xitang. They are both about 1-1.5 hours away from Hangzhou by car and also easily accessible by high-speed rail. Wuzhen has more structured tourist facilities. It is more commercialized with museums, theaters, and cultural exhibitions. And Xitang is known for a more authentic Chinese water town life.
Recommended Water Town Tours from Hangzhou:
- One Day Wuzhen Ancient Town Tour from Hangzhou
- One Day Xitang Water Town Tour from Hangzhou
- 3 Days Hangzhou City Tour to Wuzhen Water Town
3. Discover Buddhism in Hangzhou at Lingyin Temple
Hangzhou has a rich cultural past. Visiting Lingyin Temple is the best thing to do in Hangzhou to learn about Buddhism in China. Founded in 326, it is one of China’s oldest and largest Buddhist temples. Aside from its cultural significance, it is renowned for its magnificent architecture, Buddhist statues, paintings, and ancient relics.
Feilai Peak Scenic Area has more than 380 Buddhist statues from the Five Dynasties to Yuan Dynasty, including the most famous Laughing Maitreya Buddha and the Eighteen Arhats. It is the largest group of statues in Zhejiang Province.
Recommended Lingyin Temple Tour: 2 Days Hangzhou Essence Tour
4. Step Back in Time at Qinghefang Old Street or Hefang Street
Hefang Street or Qinghefang Old Street refers to the same area where you’ll find some of the most fun things to do in Hangzhou. The historic street dates back to Southern Song Dynasty when Hangzhou flourished as the country’s capital. When you travel to Hangzhou today, you can learn about many customs, traditions, and the local ways of life there.
Witness traditional crafts as you stroll along the street. There’re skilled artisans of paper cutting, sugar-blowing, and clay-sculpting. You can buy their artworks as meaningful souvenirs, including tea sets, paper fans, paper umbrellas, and silk products. If you get hungry, you’ll find numerous food stalls selling delicious local snacks. There’re also plenty of museums and cultural sites for you to visit.
Recommended Hefang Street Tour: Hangzhou Cultural Day Tour
5. Experience Chinese Tea Culture in Hangzhou
Hangzhou is a famous tea production region in China. One of the best things to do in Hangzhou is to visit Longjing Village where Longjing tea fields extend beyond your sight. Generations of tea farmers have proudly worked on the land and cultivated the best Longjing tea. You can taste it at traditional tea houses and purchase fresh tea straight from the source.
To learn more about the farming and knowledge of tea on your China tours, you can visit China National Tea Museum with informative exhibits, tea gardens, and tea ceremonies.
Recommended Hangzhou Longjing Tour: 2 Days Hangzhou Tour: Tea Plantation, Bamboo Forest…
6. Explore Xixi National Wetland Park
Xixi Wetland Park, along with West Lake and the Seal Engravers’ Society (Xiling), is listed as one of the “Three Wonders” of Western Hangzhou. It is the only wetland national park in China. Its natural wetland spans 11.5 square kilometers (4.4 square miles), is a sanctuary for diverse wildlife. You can explore the park by boat, bicycle, or on foot and see the winding waterways, lotus flowers, and graceful waterbirds.
7. Indulge Yourself in Hangzhou Cuisine
When you travel to Hangzhou, make sure you try local authentic Zhejiang Cuisine, one of the eight major Chinese cuisines. The winding rivers, lakes, and the grand canal around Hangzhou allow access to many freshwater ingredients like fish and shrimp. All these ingredients plus Longjing tea are key to the flavors of Zhejiang, fragrant, crispy, tender, and fresh.
People in Hangzhou often cook with fresh bamboo shoots, ham, mushrooms, and green vegetables, together with scallions, ginger, garlic, Shaoxing cooking wine, vinegar, and other condiments, to get rid of the fishiness of raw materials while bringing out the richness of flavors. Iconic dishes include West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy, Dongpo Pork, and Fried Shrimps with Longjing Tea.
8. Relax at the Top Hangzhou Resort: Qiandao Lake
Qiandao Lake, also known as Thousand-Island Lake, is a large man-made lake with 1,078 islands of different sizes and shapes. It’s where you’ll find gorgeous views alongside fun activities like diving, hiking, taking a boat tour, and cycling. Spending a day or two at Qiandao Lake has become one of the most popular things to do in Hangzhou.
9. Learn about the Silk & Traditional Medicine of Hangzhou
Hangzhou is the famous silk capital of China. If you’re interested in clothing, textiles, or fashion, China National Silk Museum is definitely worth a visit. Dedicated to the preservation, research, exhibition, and advancement of textiles, with a special focus on Chinese silk, it has a vast collection of textiles and costumes. It is one of the world’s leading institutions in this field.
You can see fabrics of Han and Tang dynasties unearthed along the Silk Road, Liao and Jin artifacts from the northern grasslands, garments in Song Dynasty from the Jiangnan region, official machine products of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, as well as modern cheongsams and scenic textiles.
Hangzhou also has a long history of traditional Chinese medicine, especially on Hefang Street. You can learn about ancient remedies and healing practices at the Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine. There’re also surviving family-run medicine shops like Hu Qing Yu Tang, Yezhongde Tang, Baohe Tang, and Fanghuichun Tang.
10. Take a Boat Tour along the Grand Canal
Hangzhou is the start of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Grand Canal. It is a project just as magnificent and brilliant as the Great Wall. The Grand Canal is world’s longest and oldest canal, connecting Beijing and Hangzhou across over 2,000 kilometers (1,243 miles). You can take a boat ride along the canal in Hangzhou and take your time to appreciate the history and changes that took place on the banks.
