Hangzhou at a Glance
Tianmu Mountain exhales, its mist-wrapped breath condensing into West Lake’s liquid vertebrae. Here, 12 million footsteps knead a city from dragonwell tea leaves and Song Dynasty silk moths – each hillock’s curve calibrated by 10th-century landscapers to trap specific moon phases in willow cages.
The 1129 Southern Song court’s retreat tattooed Hangzhou with poetic OCD. Imperial gardeners engineered lotus ponds as olfactory time capsules, their summer rot programmed to release Tang couplets’ melancholy. Modern pilgrims now lick raindrops off Leifeng Pagoda’s rebuilt bricks, tasting the same metallic tang as Southern Song refugees fleeing Jin cavalry through these bamboo groves.
True alchemy festers in Xixi Wetland’s capillary alleys. Water plums burst with tartness that pricks tongues like Yuan Dynasty poets’ unfinished lines, while night boats carve ripples mirroring Southern Song silk brocade algorithms. At dawn, Meijiawu’s tea-roasting sizzle syncs with monks’ wooden fish percussion at Lingyin Temple – a symphony scored on parchment older than the lake itself.
Hangzhou Weather
Hangzhou has a humid subtropical climate with mild, rainy springs dominated by the plum rain season (Meiyu), marked by persistent drizzles and high humidity. Summers are hot and humid, occasionally interrupted by typhoon-induced showers from the East China Sea. Autumn offers crisp air and golden ginkgo foliage around West Lake, while winters are chilly and damp, with temperatures averaging 3–8°C (37–46°F). Snow is rare in the urban area, though light accumulations occurred during the historic 2018 snowstorm. For detailed planning, monitor Hangzhou’s 7-day weather forecast
How to Get There
Hangzhou is primarily served by Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH), a key aviation hub in the Yangtze River Delta. From the airport, travelers can reach downtown Hangzhou via metro lines, airport shuttle buses, taxis, or intercity high-speed rail.
The Metro Line 1 (connecting to downtown in 50 minutes) and Line 7 (express service to West Lake area in 35 minutes) provide direct rail access to urban cores. Budget-friendly Airport Shuttle Bus Lines offer scenic routes through the city’s iconic waterways and tea plantations. Taxis and ride-hailing services are widely available, with a 30- to 50-minute drive to downtown depending on West Lake traffic. For regional connectivity, the airport’s East Transportation Hub links to Hangzhou East Railway Station via Metro Line 19, enabling seamless transfers to high-speed trains across eastern China.For real-time planning: Metro routes: Hangzhou Metro Official Map
As Zhejiang’s rail hub, Hangzhou connects major cities nationwide, from Guangzhou in the south to Beijing and Xi’an in the north. The city is primarily served by three stations:
Hangzhou West(Hangzhouxi) Railway Station: Opened in 2022, this modern gateway offers bullet trains to Beijing, Xi’an, Wuhan, Chongqing, and Guangzhou.
Hangzhou Railway(Chengzhan) Station (City Station): Steps from downtown, this station is a mere 10-minute drive to West Lake.
Hangzhou East(Hangzhoudong) Railway Station: The high-speed rail hub links Shanghai, Kunming, Ningbo, and beyond. Though farther from the center, direct metro access ensures seamless connections.
For a slower, scenic arrival, Hangzhou’s waterways offer nostalgic charm:
Qiantang River Journeys: Hangzhou Qiantang River Tourism Company curates three immersive routes: twilight river cruises, 24-hour voyages along the Fuchun River, and day trips blending nature (Guanshan Mountain) and rural culture. Note: Seasonal summer and holiday operation.
Grand Canal Cruises: Operated by Hangzhou Canal Tourism, overnight voyages on the Paradise or Longjing ships depart daily at 17:30 for Suzhou and 18:00 for Wuxi, arriving by 7:00 the next morning. Tickets (¥70–150) can be purchased on-site, with round-trip options available outside peak seasons.
How to Navigating
Hangzhou’s efficient bus network offers air-conditioned comfort with fares ranging from ¥2–5. Look for:
- BRT (Rapid Transit): Routes starting with B (fare ¥3–4) provide express service across the city.
- Tourist Buses: Marked with Y, these scenic routes link major attractions like West Lake and Lingyin Temple.
Hangzhou’s 12-line metro system (Lines 1–10, 16, 19) connects key hubs:
For West Lake, alight at Longxiangqiao, Fengqi Road, or Ding’an Road (Line 1) to reach the bustling lakeside(Hubin) district.
Trains run 6:00 AM–midnight; fares start at ¥3.
City Station, East Railway Station, and Yuhang HSR Station offer direct metro access.
Daytime fares begin at ¥13 for the first 3 km, then ¥2.5/km up to 10 km. After 11:00 PM, rates increase by 30%. Use Didi (ride-hailing app) for English-friendly bookings. The online-hailing taxi is also an option.
Hangzhou’s public bike system (via Z-Card) allows pick-up/drop-off at any station. Apply for the card at West Lake service points, Longxiangqiao, Wushan Square, or Shaoniangong stations. Private rentals (from ¥10/hour) line the lake—negotiate rates for longer explorations.
Pro tip: Cycle West Lake’s car-free paths at sunrise for misty, crowd-free vistas.
Glide through Hangzhou’s canals and rivers:
Qiantang River Night Cruise and Tangqi Ancient Town routes offer twilight charm.
Fares vary; check seasonal schedules for themed journeys.
Grand Canal Route: Stops include Genshan Wharf, Wulinmen, and Gongchen Bridge.