Hangzhou / 杭州
Self-guided travel guide
Build your own Hangzhou escape around West Lake, tea villages, and wooded paths. Pick a route that leaves time to stop and enjoy the view.
City overview · Reference-based AI imagery
Discover Hangzhou
Hangzhou history
As the capital of the Southern Song dynasty, Hangzhou became a celebrated center of trade, poetry, and urban life. Its association with West Lake and the surrounding hills has inspired writers and artists for centuries.
Culture and everyday life in Hangzhou
Longjing tea, silk, and lakeside traditions remain central to Hangzhou’s identity. Combine the well-known waterfront with time in the tea-growing hills, where village paths and tea houses reveal a quieter side of the city.
Hangzhou food: what to eat
Dongpo braised pork is a rich local classic, while Longjing shrimp pairs a delicate dish with the region’s tea. Scallion pancake wraps offer a simpler snack; choose a mix of neighborhood meals and specialties to suit your budget.
Things to see in Hangzhou
West Lake is the main landmark, with causeways, gardens, and viewpoints that can fill more than one walk. Lingyin Temple sits in a wooded setting nearby; group your stops by area instead of trying to circle every sight in one day.
Getting around Hangzhou independently
Choose one part of West Lake per walk rather than circling it in a hurry. Have an indoor alternative for rainy days.
Plan your stay in Hangzhou
Plan a self-guided stay with nearby sights grouped into relaxed daily routes, budget estimates in US dollars, Chinese address and ordering cards, and booking guidance. Your itinerary comes as an interactive HTML page and a print-friendly A4 PDF.
Plan your self-guided tripThis is a general city introduction. Opening hours, prices and booking rules should be checked before travel.