Hangzhou Travel Guide

Local Cuisine

1. Dongpo Pork

• Recommended restaurant: Grandma’s Kitchen (外婆家)
• Features: Slow-braised pork belly with rich soy sauce flavor
• Average price: 58-98 RMB

2. West Lake Vinegar Fish

• Recommended restaurant: Lou Wai Lou Restaurant (楼外楼)
• Features: Fresh fish with sweet-sour sauce
• Average price: 88-158 RMB

3. Beggar’s Chicken

• Recommended restaurant: Zhi Wei Guan (知味观)
• Features: Chicken baked in clay with lotus leaves
• Average price: 98-168 RMB

4. Dragon Well Tea Shrimp

• Recommended: Meijiawu Tea Village restaurants
• Features: Fresh shrimp stir-fried with Dragon Well tea leaves
• Average price: 68-128 RMB

Top Attractions

1. West Lake (西湖)

• Opening hours: 24 hours
• Features: UNESCO World Heritage Site with ten scenic views
• Highlights: Boat rides, Leifeng Pagoda, Su Causeway

2. Lingyin Temple (灵隐寺)

• Hours: 7:00-18:00
• Features: Ancient Buddhist temple complex
• Don’t miss: Feilai Peak rock carvings

3. Xixi National Wetland Park

• Hours: 7:30-18:30
• Features: Urban wetland with boat tours
• Best for: Nature photography and birdwatching

4. Hefang Street

• Hours: 24 hours (shops 9:00-22:00)
• Features: Traditional shopping street
• Try: Local snacks like sticky rice cakes

Suggested Itineraries

2-Day Classic Tour

• Day 1: West Lake cruise → Leifeng Pagoda → Evening music fountain show
• Day 2: Lingyin Temple → China National Tea Museum → Hefang Street

3-Day Cultural Experience

• Day 1: West Lake areas (Su & Bai Causeways)
• Day 2: Xixi Wetland → Hangzhou Grand Canal
• Day 3: Longjing Tea Plantations → Six Harmonies Pagoda

Transportation Guide

Metro

• Lines: 1-5 covering main areas
• Fares: 2-8 RMB
• Tip: Use Alipay Metro QR code

Public Bikes

• 30,000+ bikes citywide
• First hour free with deposit
• Scan via HelloBike app

Taxi

• Flag fall: 13 RMB
• Night rates: +20% after 11PM
• Recommended app: Didi (English available)

Travel Tips

• Best season: March-May (spring blossoms)
• Must try: Dragon Well tea at source
• Avoid: National holidays (crowds)
• Smart tip: Book West Lake cruise tickets via WeChat mini-program