Hangzhou is one of China's most beautiful and beloved cities, the capital of Zhejiang province a short hop south of Shanghai. Famous for the willow-fringed waters of West Lake — which inspired poets and painters for a thousand years — it pairs classical gardens, ancient pagodas and misty tea hills with a thriving modern economy as the home of tech giant Alibaba. Marco Polo called it "the finest and most splendid city in the world," and it remains an exceptionally green and liveable place.
Hangzhou has a humid subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers, cool, damp winters and gorgeous springs and autumns. It is home to a growing, well-heeled international community, with English used in its universities and international schools. Mandarin is the language of daily life, while a comfortable cost of living, an excellent metro and a high-speed rail link that reaches Shanghai in under an hour make this scenic city a wonderfully easy place to settle in.
Location Info
- Green, prosperous and scenic city with a comfortable cost of living and a growing expat scene
- Very safe, with low street crime even late at night
- A modern metro plus high-speed trains to Shanghai in under an hour
Top Experiences
West Lake
The soul of the city and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Stroll or cycle the causeways, take a boat to its island pavilions, and watch the mist drift over the willows — impossibly beautiful in every season.
Lingyin Temple
One of China's largest and wealthiest Buddhist temples, set in forested hills beside a cliff carved with hundreds of ancient stone Buddhas — serene, incense-scented and centuries old.
Longjing Tea Plantations
Walk the terraced hills of Meijiawu and Longjing village, home of China's most famous green tea, and sip a freshly brewed cup of Dragon Well straight from the source.
Leifeng Pagoda & the Legends
Climb the lakeside pagoda at sunset for the classic West Lake panorama, wrapped in the romantic folk tale of the Legend of the White Snake.
The Grand Canal & Hefang Street
Explore the southern end of the world's longest ancient canal, then browse the bustling old shops, snacks and teahouses of pedestrianised Hefang Street.
Xixi Wetlands
Escape to a tranquil maze of ponds, reed beds and waterways just outside the city — a national wetland park best explored slowly by electric boat.
Getting Around
Hangzhou is scenic and easy to get around. Its clean, modern metro is cheap and expanding fast, backed by buses, ferries on the canal and lake, and shared bikes everywhere, while Didi (China's ride-hailing app) and metered taxis cost little. The high-speed rail station reaches Shanghai in under an hour and Suzhou and Nanjing not much more. Almost everything is paid for by phone with WeChat Pay or Alipay, so it's worth setting these up soon after you arrive.
When to Go
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the loveliest seasons, when West Lake is at its most magical. Summers are hot, humid and crowded, winters are cold and damp rather than freezing, and a brief plum-rain season in June brings the atmospheric mists the city is famous for.
Good to Know
- The Chinese yuan (CNY/RMB) is the currency, and Hangzhou is affordable for such a prosperous city.
- Mandarin is the official language and everyday English is limited, so a translation app is invaluable.
- Almost all payments are by phone — set up WeChat Pay or Alipay early.
- A VPN is needed for many Western sites and apps, so arrange one before you arrive.
- Hangzhou is extremely safe, with very low rates of street crime.
- The whole country runs on China Standard Time (GMT+8).
