Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province, is a 45-minute high-speed train ride away from Shanghai, and is the ‘backyard’ of the Yangtze River Delta. With a history of more than 2,200 years, this ‘paradise on earth’ was once the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty, and was praised by Marco Polo as ‘the most magnificent city in the world’. The West Lake culture, canal culture and tea culture are blended here, and the morning bells and evening drums of Lingyin Temple, the Southern Song Dynasty flavour of Songcheng, and the golden stone and elegant rhyme of Xiling Printing Society all tell of a thousand years of cultural lineage.
Must-try experiences
1. West Lake Highlights
Ride around the lake: start from the Broken Bridge, ride along the White Causeway and Su Causeway. Riding, feel ‘light make-up, thick and thick’ of the lake and mountains (free of charge, recommend sharing bicycle).
Sculling boat tour: choose the route from Su Causeway to Maojiabu (RMB 300/boat), avoid the crowd and enjoy the quietness (West Lake cruise official website for reservation).
2. Tea Garden Secret
Longjing Village Hiking: Walk along the Ten Mile Langdan Ancient Road, experience tea picking ( 30RMB/hour), taste the freshly fried Longjing tea
-Address: Longjing Village, West Lake District
3. Song Culture
The Romance of Song Dynasty: a large-scale live performance (tickets from RMB320), recreating the prosperity of the Southern Song Dynasty. ), reproducing the prosperity of the Southern Song Dynasty
-Address: No. 148 Zhijiang Road, West Lake District
Must-see sights
📍West Lake Scenic Spot
Leifeng Pagoda: Climb to the top for a panoramic view of the West Lake (RMB 40 for admission, open from 8:00-19:00).
Lingyin Temple: a thousand-year-old temple, you need to buy Feilaifeng ticket (45 yuan) + incense flower coupon (RMB 30), the temple can please eighteen seeds strings (RMB 46).
📍Thousand Island Lake
Longchuan Bay Wetland: lake and island, boat ride to explore the ‘island in the lake, island in the lake’ wonderland (Ticket + boat trip is about RMB 150).
Wenyuan Lion City: replica of the ancient underwater city, experience the Song Dynasty market (admission RMB 80 , address: Jiangjia Town, Chun'an County).
Tianyu Mountain Observation Deck: free panoramic view of Qiandao Lake, beautiful at sunset.
-Tickets:http://www.qiandaohu.cc
-Address: Chun'an County, Hangzhou
-Transportation: Direct bus from Hangzhou East Railway Station (RMB45, 2 hours)
Food Guide
1.Hangzhou Cuisine
Louwailou: West Lake Vinegar Fish (RMB 198), Dongpo Pork (RMB58), with a lake view (RMB200 per person).
Zhiwei Guan: Fresh Meat Xiao Long (RMB25/cage), Cat's Ears (RMB18), century-old restaurant.
2.Qiandao Lake Fish Feast
Recommended dishes: Organic Fish Head Soup (RMB158), Steamed Eggs with Silver Fish (RMB48), a must-try at lakeside restaurants such as Fish Flavour House.
3.Song Dynasty Snacks
Ding Sheng Cake: Auspicious rice cake with bean paste (RMB10/pc), freshly made in Songcheng Scenic Spot.
Transportation
Shanghai→Hangzhou:
High Speed Rail: Shanghai Hongqiao→Hangzhou East Railway Station (RMB73, 1 hour), Metro Line 1 connects directly to West Lake 7.
Self-driving: Hukun Expressway (2.5 hours), West Lake Scenic Parking RMB 30/hour (peripheral parking recommended).
Hangzhou:
Metro: Line 1 connects West Lake and East Railway Station (Alipay code-sweeping ride).
Bus: No. 4, No. 7 around the lake line (RMB 2-5)
Pro Tips
Avoid crowds: West Lake is least crowded from 6-8am, Qiandao Lake is recommended to visit on weekdays.
Tickets: RMB 120 (including Leifeng Pagoda and Three Pools and Moon boat ticket), book in advance on the official website.
Seasonal wear: spring and autumn thin jacket, summer sun hat, winter warm scarf (West Lake windy).
Songcheng Tips: Rent a Chinese dress in the morning (RMB 80/day), watch the performance in the afternoon, and take pictures of Lantern Street at night.
🌿🎑Hangzhou is Shanghai’s poetic backyard—a place where misty lakes, ancient towns, and Song Dynasty legends collide. Pack your bags, the adventure begins!