Top Things to Do in Hangzhou: Best Activities & Must-Sees

Hangzhou has the feel of an ancient city that blends, almost effortlessly, with a wonderfully laid-back modern way of life. As the capital of Zhejiang and renowned for West Lake, it’s one of those places that welcomes you with scenes of still waters, pagodas peeking through the trees, and a pace that invites you to slow things down a notch.

In this article, you'll find what to see in Hangzhou, what to do during your visit, the neighbourhoods that best capture the city’s essence, and several excursions that are well worth a place on your itinerary.

What to Do in Hangzhou Based on Your Stay

The time you spend in Hangzhou shapes the kind of plan you can make. With one day you’ll focus on the essentials, usually West Lake; with more time you can add temples, historic neighbourhoods and perhaps an outing to the tea-growing areas or the surrounding area. The city suits both short and long stays.

To help you get organised without wasting time, here’s a quick guide with ideas based on the length of your trip and who you’re travelling with.

Some plans come up time and again because they really do work for almost anyone, but you’ll notice the pace and the focus change depending on how you travel.

Must-Visit Districts in Hangzhou

Hangzhou isn’t a city cut from a single mould; it changes hugely from one district to the next. You’ve got areas that look as if they’ve stepped straight out of a classic Chinese painting, others that revolve around the water, and then the more modern neighbourhoods, where technology and architecture set the pace.

That blend, so smooth and so natural, is what makes getting around the city so enjoyable.

Here are some neighbourhoods and areas that really capture that variety. Each has its own character, so ideally, pick a couple of them and let the city lead the way.

Xihu District

Xihu is the postcard image that springs to mind when we think of Hangzhou. This is where you’ll find the legendary West Lake, with causeways crossing the water, temples hidden among the trees, and those gentle sunsets that feel almost staged.

You can walk along the Su Causeway, climb up a pagoda to see the city from above, or simply sit and watch local life unfold around the lake. By the way, if you enjoy taking photos, this is one of those spots where any angle works.

Shangcheng and Xiacheng

These two areas form the liveliest heart of the city. Hefang Street is the perfect example: traditional shops, sweet stalls, artisans working in plain sight, and a very lively atmosphere, especially as evening falls.

You’ve also got small but very interesting museums, markets where you can try local specialities, and streets where you can still soak up the atmosphere of old Hangzhou. The best part is that everything is close by, so you can combine shopping, food and a leisurely stroll without having to go far.

Lingyin Area

On the outskirts, yet very well connected, lies the Lingyin area, one of the city's most tranquil corners. Here you'll find Lingyin Temple, one of the country's most important Buddhist temples, surrounded by woodland and gentle trails you can enjoy with ease.

It’s a great spot to switch off from the hustle and bustle, listen to the rustle of the bamboo forests and watch locals come to make small offerings or simply while away the morning. If you fancy a calmer experience, this is the ideal stop.

Binjiang

Binjiang is the modern face of Hangzhou. Here, the Qiantang River takes centre stage, with long riverside promenades, illuminated bridges and a more urban, almost futuristic vibe. It’s the perfect spot if you love night-time views or peaceful strolls by the water.

What’s more, this part of the city boasts a great dining scene, new restaurants, an incredible bookshop and cafés popping up every year. In fact, it’s not uncommon to see young people taking photos of the skyline because, to be honest, it looks rather impressive.

Yuhang District

Yuhang is the part that shows where Hangzhou is heading. This is where you'll find the famous Dream Town, a kind of start-up community with design cafés and creative spaces where a campus vibe blends with entrepreneurial energy.

It’s also a district packed with tech campuses and innovation hubs, so the contrast with the historic areas is huge. What’s interesting is that, although it’s modern, it still retains leafy corners and very pleasant spots for a stroll.

Top 5 Activities and Landmarks in Hangzhou

Hangzhou is a curious mix. It’s a little imperial history, plenty of serene scenery and, suddenly, a theme park or a tech district that snaps you back to the present. That combination makes the city work brilliantly both for those seeking temples and nature and for those who prefer livelier plans.

Here are five places that sum up that variety rather well.

West Lake

West Lake is, quite simply, the soul of the city. Strolling along the Su Causeway, watching the colours change across the water, or climbing Leifeng Pagoda for a different perspective are simple experiences that leave a lasting impression.

If you fancy something a little more laid-back, you can always take a short cruise around the central islands or lose yourself in the classic lakeside gardens, which are meticulously maintained. See? With very little, the lake treats you to half your trip.

Songcheng Park

Then there’s Songcheng Park, one of those places that take you by surprise, even when you think you’ve seen it all. It recreates scenes from ancient China with entire streets, enormous sets and shows that blend dance, martial arts and a rather entertaining theatrical touch.

It's a really convenient option if you're travelling with family or fancy a different kind of afternoon without straying too far from the centre. Plus, each area is themed down to the last detail, so the whole 'time travel' vibe works pretty well.

Lingyin Temple

Lingyin Temple is one of those places you’ll want to take your time with. It’s surrounded by hills and bamboo, and even before you arrive you’ll come across reliefs and small caves carved into the rock, some over a thousand years old.

Inside, the atmosphere is serene, with incense hanging in the air, a gentle murmur, and a series of pavilions that tell part of the region’s Buddhist story. It’s a visit that appeals as much to those seeking spirituality as to those who appreciate art and traditional architecture.

Hangzhou Safari Park

Hangzhou Safari Park is a hassle-free day out if you’re travelling with family. There are drive-through routes to see animals in spacious habitats, quieter viewing areas, and activities designed with the little ones in mind.

The great thing is that it combines open spaces with walking trails, so you can set your own pace for your visit.

Overall, it’s a fun getaway to switch off from the city centre for a while.

Thousand Island Lake (Qiandao Lake)

Thousand Island Lake is one of Zhejiang’s most striking landscapes. Just two hours from the city, you’re welcomed by emerald-green islets, spectacular viewpoints and cruises that navigate the lake’s most tranquil corners.

It’s a perfect spot if you fancy some fresh air and a getaway that’s easy to organise. Plus, there are short trails and several viewpoints that are well worth it, even if you’re only there for a few hours.

Hangzhou, the city of West Lake and classical poetry

Hangzhou has an almost literary air. And this goes beyond the famous West Lake, which looks as if it were painted by hand; it’s the way it blends gardens, pagodas, still waters and a cultural tradition that has been inspiring poets, calligraphers and painters for centuries. It’s a city to savour slowly, with your eyes on the details.

If you’re drawn to China’s more contemplative side, here are two experiences that beautifully capture the spirit of Hangzhou.

🌿 Scenic strolls around West Lake

West Lake is the setting where it all began: paths tracing the water’s edge, small stone bridges and gardens where every corner looks like a classic scene. The beauty is, you don’t need a rigid plan; you can start around the Su Causeway, detour towards a hidden pavilion or linger for a while watching how the lake’s reflections change when the mist rolls in.

It’s not unusual to spot local artists with their sketchbooks, trying to capture an atmosphere that, centuries on, remains just as evocative.

🍵 Longjing tea and traditional villages

On the hills surrounding Hangzhou, the famous Longjing tea—one of China’s most prized green teas—is grown. Villages such as Meijiawu and Longjing Village offer a delightful blend of tea houses, terraces with views, and short paths that wind through the plantations.

You can sample freshly roasted tea, listen to how the tea leaf is processed in small, family-run workshops, or simply sit for a while as the locals share why this tea carries so much history. It’s a simple, wonderfully calm visit that leaves you with a different kind of memory to the more touristy spots.

Best Time to Visit Hangzhou

Hangzhou is a city that changes its face with the seasons. There are days when West Lake looks as though it has just stepped out of a painting, and others when a gentle rain lends it a more intimate ambience.

Spring and autumn tend to be almost everyone’s favourites, but the truth is that each season has its own charm and a plan that suits it especially well.

To help you choose without overthinking it, here’s a quick snapshot of what the city feels like in each season.

Hangzhou Day Trips: Best Nearby Sights

Hangzhou has so much to see that you could stay a week without doing the same thing twice, but the fact is its surroundings have just as much to offer. A short distance away you’ll find port cities with centuries of history, bamboo-clad mountains, and even islands where spirituality blends with the sound of the sea.

If you fancy a change of scenery without taking a long trip, these three getaways work a treat.

Ningbo: Port culture and historic temples

Ningbo is one of those cities that surprises you more than you’d expect. It has a calm, almost maritime feel, blended with ancient temples and streets where it’s clear that cultural exchange has been happening here for centuries.

As soon as you get off the train, you can feel that calm atmosphere that makes the visit a breeze.

• Travel time: 1 h – 1 h 10 min by high-speed train from Hangzhou
• Transport: G/D train to Ningbo Railway Station

Unmissable:

• Tianyi Pavilion, the oldest private library in Asia
• Old Bund, with its European architecture and harbour atmosphere
• Baoguo Temple, a wooden gem that has endured for nearly a thousand years

Mount Putuo (Zhoushan): A seaside Buddhist sanctuary

If you’re looking for a different kind of day, the sort that changes your rhythm, Putuoshan Island has something special. It’s a place where temples seem to gaze out over the ocean and paths lead you from a quiet beach to a monastery shrouded in incense. It’s a slightly longer journey, but it’s worth it for that blend of spirituality and coastal scenery.

• Travel time: 1 h by high-speed train to Zhoushan + ferry to the island
• Transport: Train to Zhoushan + ferry from Shenjiamen Port

Unmissable:

• Puji Temple, steeped in centuries of devotion
• Hundred Stones Beach
• Viewpoints overlooking the East China Sea, perfect at sunset

Deqing & Moganshan: Nature, bamboo and fresh air

Sometimes your body craves mountains, silence and a touch of green. Moganshan, in Deqing, is exactly that: bamboo forests, old European-style villas tucked among hills, and gentle trails for a different kind of day out. It’s a very convenient getaway from Hangzhou and suits both a leisurely wander and a more energetic outing.

• Travel time: 20–25 min by high-speed train from Hangzhou
• Transport: High-speed train to Deqing Station + local bus

Unmissable:

• Trails through bamboo forests
• Historic villas in 19th-century European style
• Panoramic views from Mogan Mountain

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