Things to Do in Hangzhou

Feilai Peak, or Feilai Feng – literally translated as ‘Peak Flown from Afar’ – is a unique, 200-meter tall limestone peak located next to the Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province.

At the site, ancient tree roots rise above the ground, their branches twisting and winding up the peak. Due to erosion, there are a large number of caves within the mountain, and some of these feature intricately carved Buddha statues that were created during the Song and Yuan dynasties.

The largest Buddha statue here is the Maitreya Buddha, with its exposed belly and beaming smile; this is one of the best-preserved statues of its kind, displaying the artistry of carving in the Song Dynasty. In Longhong Cave, there is a seated statue of Avalokitesvara, while in Shexu Cave, a beam of sunlight pours in through the rock tunnels above – a famous scene known as 'the gleam of the sky'.

Leifeng Pagoda is a five-story tower located on Sunset Hill in Hangzhou, providing panoramic views over West Lake. The original pagoda was built in 975AD during the Five Dynasties and Ten States Period on orders of King Qian Chu to celebrate the birth of his son. However, after a tumultuous history, the structure collapsed in 1924. The pagoda was eventually rebuilt and opened to the public in 2002.

The original Leifeng Pagoda was a five-story octagonal structure too. However, unlike the modern version that stands today, it was built almost entirely from brick and wood. The new pagoda is instead made from 1400 tonnes of steel with 200 tonnes of copper parts. At the entrance there are two escalators to carry visitors to the base of the pagoda, and there are a number of viewing platforms to climb up to in order to marvel at the views. The new pagoda also features such modern amenities such as air-conditioning and speakers, although the ruins of the original building, along with a number of historical artifacts, can still be seen at the site.

At the northwest corner of West Lake and at the foot of Jade Spring Hill, Hangzhou Botanical Garden’s 568 acres (230 hectares) offer a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of Hangzhou. In addition to its extensive collection of flowers, plants, and trees, visitors can also enjoy a number of ponds, pavilions, and promenades.

 

Hangzhou Botanical Garden is a popular attraction, receiving more than 2 million visitors annually. Highlights include the Bamboo Garden, with over 150 varieties of bamboo; the Linfeng Tanmei area with some 5,000 plum trees; and the Medicinal Garden, with more than 1,200 medicinal herbs and plants, some found only in the Hangzhou area. Fish Jumping at Jade Spring is another popular attraction.

 

There are also two museums on-site: the Plant Resources Museum and the Han Meilin Art Museum.

 

                       

Hangzhou Botanical Garden is located at the northwest corner of Hangzhou’s West Lake area. Take bus nos. 15, 28, or 82 and exit at the Yu Quan stop, or take bus nos. 7 or 27 and exit at the Botanical Garden stop.

 

Hangzhou Botanical Garden is open year-round. Seasonal flowers and plants make it worthwhile visiting at different times of the year. Spring is a great time to see plum blossoms and rhododendron, while colorful tropical flowers and lotus bloom in summer. Fall is a great time to see osmanthus and maple leaves changing colors, while winter visitors come for the magnolia and camellia.

 

Opened in 1965, Hangzhou Botanical Garden also includes a research center focused on the cultivation and protection of different plant species. The research center attracts academic visitors and those who wish to learn more about agriculture, horticulture, forestry, and medicine. It offers courses on a variety of related subjects, including tea processing, flower arrangements, plant taxonomy, and landscape design. There are also numerous educational programs for children, including single-day and multi-day camps.

The Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine—located off Hangzhou’s historic Qinghefang Ancient Street—is a part of Hu Qing Yu Tang, a still functioning pharmacy from the Qing dynasty. Learn about traditional Chinese medicine while appreciating the historic architecture of the 29,000-square-foot (2,700-square-meter) complex.

 

Hu Xueyan, a prominent businessman from the late Qing dynasty, founded Hu Qing Yu Tang in 1874. The museum was established in 1987 and has five parts: the Exhibition Hall, the Medicine Preparation Hall, the Chinese Health Care Clinic, the Restaurant of Medicinal Diet, and the Sales Department. There are numerous displays on different types of Chinese medicine, their component parts, as well as treatises on Chinese medicine going back thousands of years. Visitors can also learn about traditional pharmaceutical processes and even try their hand at preparing medications.

 

Hu Qing Yu Tang is easy to locate on Qinghefang Ancient Street. However, visitors may gain more insight from a guided tour, which will also typically cover other nearby attractions, such as the China National Silk Museum and Leifeng Pagoda.

 

 

Hu Qing Yu Tang is located at 95 Dajing Lane, off Qinghefang Ancient Street, east of West Lake (about a 20-minute walk) and at the foot of Wushan Hill. Take Metro line 1 to Ding’an Road (Exit C) and walk 10 minutes to the south, or bus nos. 8, 60, 127, 195, 208, or 216.

 

Hu Qing Yu Tang is open year-round. Museum staff typically provide a presentation, which is available in Chinese and English, at 9:15am, 10:15am, 1:15pm, 2:15pm and 3:15pm. Pharmaceutical process demonstrations can be requested at any time.

 

Hu Qing Yu Tang also has a functional health clinic. Those who are interested can try a foot massage, Tui Na massage, acupressure, cupping, and other traditional Chinese medicine treatments. Prescriptions can then be filled at the on-site pharmacy.

Meijiawu Tea Village, just west of West Lake, is a top producer of Longjing (Dragon Well) tea, considered one of the finest teas in China and the world. Surrounded by mountains, valleys, and streams, Meijiawu Tea Village is a picturesque locale where visitors can learn all about the heritage, production, and benefits of Longjing tea.

 

Meijiawu Tea Village, nestled among lush, green terraced hills, is an ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of Hangzhou and spend a few hours appreciating nature. Explore this charming ancient village, with its 160 teahouses, watch an elaborate tea ceremony, and learn all about tea culture while sipping a cup or two of this fragrant and flavorful tea. This is also a good opportunity to purchase some tea under the supervision of an expert guide.

 

Many day tours from Hangzhou and Shanghai include a visit to Meijiawu Tea Village, or another nearby tea plantation, along with other top Hangzhou sites, such as West Lake and Lingyin Temple.

 

 

Meijiawu Tea Village is located just west of West Lake, about 6 miles (10 kilometers) from downtown Hangzhou. If not visiting as part of a tour, it’s best to take a taxi. Or, you can take bus nos. 324, 658, 837, or tourist bus no. 4 from Hangzhou.

 

The village is open to visitors year-round. Spring is the best time to visit as travelers can try their hand at picking and making tea with the locals. Avoid going during Qing Ming, in early April, as it’s the busiest time in the village.

 

In addition to its world-famous tea, the village is also known for its tea food, dishes often made with and meant to complement the locally grown tea. Try local dishes, such as shrimp in Longjing tea, Longjing fish, fragrant braised pork, crispy-skinned chicken with Longjing tea, and moist chicken infused with Longjing tea.

West Lake (Xi Hu) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a top attraction in the heart of old Hangzhou. With mountains on three sides and plenty of charming gardens, bridges, pagodas, temples, and islands, it’s easy to see why this scenic man-made lake has inspired so many poets and painters through the ages.

 

The 2.5-square-mile (6.5-square-kilometer) West Lake is filled with sights to see, including the Ten Scenes of West Lake, a series of vistas around the water. First compiled during the Southern Song Dynasty, the Ten Scenes gained popularity under Emperor Kangxi during the Qing Dynasty, and include Viewing Fish at Flower Harbour and Moon Reflected on Three Ponds.

To see much of the lake in a short amount of time, rent bicycles, catch an electric cart, or take a leisurely boat cruise around the water. Allot several hours and consider combining a visit to West Lake with a tour of nearby attractions, such as Lingyin Temple and Qinghefang Ancient Street. Full-day tours, including day tours from Shanghai to West Lake, typically also include a visit to a nearby tea plantation. Choose a multi-day tour to gain in-depth insight into Hangzhou and its surrounding areas.

 

 

West Lake is in the historic center of Hangzhou, about 19 miles (30 kilometers) from the airport. Visitors from Hangzhou can easily reach it using various transportation. Travelers by train from other cities should get off at Hangzhou Train Station, the closest station to West Lake. From Shanghai, you can take a bullet train and drive a car. Or, book a tour with round-trip transport.

 

West Lake is a popular destination year-round. Spring is one of the busiest times to visit, when bountiful peach and plum blossoms are in full bloom, while summer visitors often come for the lotus flowers. Fall weather is pleasant, with less rain than usual, and winter is cold and wet with fewer visitors. The rainy season runs from April to September.

The best panoramic views of West Lake can be found at the Chenghuang Pavilion, the top of Leifeng Pagoda, and Baoshi Mountain. For sunset views, head to Broken Bridge, Su Causeway, Yanggong Causeway, or Xiaoyinzhou Island.

Qinghefang Ancient Street, the best-preserved historical street in Hangzhou, stretches 1,575 feet (480 meters). East of West Lake, it’s a great place to shop, dine, and appreciate classical architecture. A number of buildings are from the Ming (1380–1644) and Qing (1644–1912) dynasties, and some of the shops date back hundreds of years.

 

Qinghefang Ancient Street has been prosperous, filled with shops and restaurants, since ancient times. Businesses from Hangzhou’s past that are still open today include Zhang Xiaoquan Scissors (established in 1663), Wan Xing Ji Fan Store (established during the Qing dynasty), and Baohetang Pharmacy (with 1,000 years of history). There are also a lot of dining options, from food stalls selling street food to 140-year-old teahouses, such as the Taiji Teahouse, and restaurants like No. 1 Scholar Hall, known as the first noodle shop in Hangzhou.

 

It’s easy to visit Qinghefang Ancient Street independently. With so much packed into a small area though, it can be helpful to go on a guided tour to easily navigate the shops and restaurants, and to learn more about street’s long history. Day tours tend to include nearby attractions, such as West Lake, Leifeng Pagoda, and China National Silk Museum.

 

 

Qinghefang Ancient Street lies to the east of West Lake (an about 20-minute walk) and at the foot of Wushan Hill. Take Metro Line 1 to Ding’an Road (Exit C) and walk 10 minutes to the south or take bus no. 8, 60, 127, 195, 208, or 216.

 

Qinhefang Ancient Street can be visited at any time. Shops tend to be open from 9am to 10pm. Public holidays, especially Lunar New Year, are extremely busy times. Visit during the day to better see the shops and architecture. Visit at night to see the street lit up with festive red lanterns.

There are a number of museums along Qinghefang Ancient Street, some more unusual than others, including the Zhejiang ancient ceramic museum, Guanfu art museum, Bingren Copper Sculpture Museum, and the World Coin Museum. Huqing Yutang is both a traditional Chinese medicine shop and a Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

The National Tea Museum is the only tea-themed museum in China. It was opened in 1991 and is located in Westlake Village in Shuangfeng, Hangzhou. The museum is surrounded by clusters of tea farms and features various exhibition halls that depict the history and development of tea over thousands of years.

The museum's Evolution Hall showcases the production process of Chinese tea, as well as a variety of imported types. As the name suggests, the Teaware Hall traces the evolution of Chinese teaware, as well as concentrating on the planting, production, and tasting of tea. The Tea Customs Hall is devoted to the impact that tea has had on the lives of various minority groups in China throughout its long history, while the Kaleidoscope Hall features hundreds of different kinds of tea, including the six classic types in China.

A 7-story tower that looks deceivingly taller, the Six Harmonies Pagoda (Liuhe Pagoda) was constructed in 970 to ward off evil spirits believed to be responsible for the Qiantang River’s tidal bore. The pagoda is a masterpiece of ancient Chinese architecture and an enduring symbol of the city of Hangzhou.

 

This ancient lighthouse is easily recognizable from anywhere along the river and is renowned for its harmonious blend of light and shadows. Modern day visitors to the pagoda can ascend the spiral staircase to the top of the seventh story for a view of the surrounding area and the twice-daily tidal bore.

 

A small park located next to the pagoda features exhibitions detailing the history and culture associated with the Chinese pagoda, as well as mini-replicas of some of the world’s most famous ancient Chinese pagodas. Many sightseeing tours of Hangzhou, including day trips from Shanghai, include a visit to the eye-catching landmark.

 

 

To get to the pagoda by public transportation, take one of several public buses to either Liuhe Ta Station or Zhijianglu Liuheta Station. Or, book a tour that stops at the pagoda.

 

The pagoda is open daily from quite early in the morning to early evening. The bore tide is at its most dramatic around the Mid-Autumn Festival, but this is also when the pagoda is at its most crowded.

When standing outside the octagonal pagoda, the exterior walls appear to have 13 stories with 104 iron bells hung from the eaves at each corner. Once you step inside, however, you’ll find the spiral staircase only leads to seven floors, each with a small chamber enshrining a figure of the Buddha.

Lingyin Temple is one of the oldest and most famous Buddhist temples in China and a top attraction in Hangzhou. Situated at the foot of Lingyin Mountain and surrounded by forest, Lingyin Temple is known for its tranquil setting, spiritual atmosphere, and numerous pagodas, grottoes, and Buddhist relics.

 

Lingyin Temple, aka the “Temple of the Soul’s Retreat,” was founded in AD 326 and has been rebuilt many times since then. First, pass through Feilai Feng, or Flying Peak, which has hundreds of Buddhist statues carved into the hillside, along the river, and inside caves and grottoes. Be sure to visit the main halls of the temple, including the Hall of the Heavenly Kings, the Grand Hall, and the Hall of the Buddha of Medicine.

 

Lingyin Temple can be visited independently, but many visitors appreciate the extra insight offered by a guided tour. Most day tours of Hangzhou, including those from Shanghai, include Lingyin Temple and other top attractions, such as West Lake and Leifeng Pagoda. Customize which attractions you visit with a private day tour.

 

 

Linyin Temple is located at No. 1 Fayun Lane, Lingyin Road in the Xihu District of Hangzhou. From Hangzhou Airport, take the shuttle bus (departs every 30–40 minutes) to Hangzhou Railway Station. From there, take bus nos. Y2 or K7, and get off at the Lingyin stop. Taxis are the most direct way of getting to the temple.

 

Lingyin Temple is extremely popular, especially during weekends and public holidays, and can see thousands of visitors a day when busy. Visit early in the morning to beat the crowds and the heat.

 

Find the Maitreya (Future) Buddha, manifested as the Laughing Buddha, and the Skanda Bodhisattva, the temple’s oldest statue at more than 800 years old, in the Hall of the Heavenly Kings. The ornate ceiling has paintings of dragons and phoenixes. Gaze at the giant gold-plated statue of Shakyamuni on a lotus flower in the Grand Hall. It's one of the largest wood-carved Buddhist statues in the world at more than 80 feet (24.4 meters) tall.

Red Carp Pond, or “Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor,” is one of the classic “Ten Scenes of West Lake” in Hangzhou. Formerly the garden of a Southern Song dynasty official, the stunning pond and flower views have been inspiring artists for more than 800 years and continue to draw visitors of all ages today.

 

Red Carp Pond is a part of Flower Harbor (Huagang) Park, a 52-acre (21-hectare) park located inside West Lake. In addition to the pond, with its thousands of colorful carp, other key areas include a flower harbor, a peony garden, a great lawn, dense trees, and pavilions, including the octagonal Peony Pavilion and the Imperial Stele Pavilion.

 

Red Carp Pond is one of the most popular attractions inside West Lake and is often included in West Lake tours, with many boat cruises stopping at Huagang Park Wharf. If you plan to visit other top Hangzhou sights, consider taking a full-day tour, which will usually also include Leifeng Pagoda, Lingyin Temple, or a tea plantation.

 

 

Red Carp Pond, at the southwest corner of West Lake, is located on a peninsula between the Inner and Small Southern lakes, and is accessible from the southern end of Su Causeway. Take bus nos. Y2 or Y10 and get off at the Su Causeway stop. You can also take a boat from other parts of West Lake to Huagang Park Wharf.

 

Red Carp Pond and Flower Harbor Park are very popular with both locals and tourists, especially on weekends and public holidays. Visit early in the morning and during the week to avoid the crowds. Visit in April or May to see peonies and other flowers in bloom.

 

This pavilion features a stele with an inscription, “Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor,” written by Emperor Kangxi during the Qing dynasty. The traditional Chinese character for fish has four strokes at the bottom, but there are only three strokes here. Four strokes denote fire; three refer to water. It is said that the emperor wanted the fish to swim happily in the water, rather than cooked; hence, his poetic writing of the character for fish.

Located south of Hangzhou’s West Lake, the UNESCO World Heritage–listed China National Silk Museum is the largest museum in the world devoted to silk. In addition to an extensive collection of silk garments, textiles, and relics, the museum covers 5,000 years of silk development, history, and culture across eight galleries.

You can easily spend a few hours exploring the China National Silk Museum’s 86,110 square feet (8,000 square meters) of exhibition space, which are set on an area of more than a half-million square feet (50,000 square meters). There is a lot to see, including textiles from the Han and Tang dynasties, modern-day cheongsams, and traditional weaving machines. The museum’s proximity to West Lake and other top Hangzhou sights make it easy to visit the museum and other attractions on the same day, either independently or as part of a guided tour covering other landmarks such as Leifeng Pagoda and Qinghefang Ancient Street. If visiting on your own, guided museum tours are available by appointment.

 

The museum is located at the southern side of West Lake, at No. 73-1 Yuhuangshan Road in the Shangcheng district. A number of buses stop at the museum, including 4, 12, 31, 42, 87, and 133. Alternatively, take a taxi or ride a bicycle around West Lake to the museum.

The museum is open from 12pm to 5pm Monday and 9am to 5pm Tuesday to Sunday year-round. The exhibition halls are cleared out 15 minutes prior to closing. On weekends and national holidays, the Textile Conservation Gallery is closed.

After an extensive renovation in 2016, the museum reopened with impressive updates to its permanent galleries, including the Story of Chinese Silk, Sericulture and Silk Craftsmanship in China, the Textile Conservation Gallery, and the Xinyou Archive Center. These galleries are complemented by a variety of changing exhibitions covering various topics related to silk, textiles, and relics—particularly those of Chinese origin.