China · City Guide
Hangzhou
Hangzhou is one of China's most beautiful cities, famous for the legendary West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of extraordinary garden landscapes, willow-lined causeways, ancient temples and pagodas that has inspired Chinese poets and painters for a thousand years. Combined with Longjing tea plantations, outstanding Hangzhou cuisine and the remarkable Canal District, Hangzhou provides one of China's most refined and beautiful city experiences.
Elect's take
"Hangzhou is the Chinese city that most surprised me with its beauty. West Lake on a misty morning is genuinely extraordinary and the combination of the lake landscape, excellent tea and outstanding food creates something that feels deeply and authentically Chinese."
West Lake is one of China's most celebrated natural and cultural landscapes, a beautiful freshwater lake surrounded by hills, pagodas, temples and the famous Su Causeway lined with peach and willow trees. The scene changes with every season — cherry blossoms in spring, lotus flowers in summer, red maples in autumn, snow on the mountains in winter — creating a landscape of remarkable year-round beauty. The Lingyin Temple complex is one of the finest Buddhist temples in China. The Longjing (Dragon Well) tea plantations above the lake produce China's most celebrated green tea. The Grand Canal, connecting Hangzhou with Beijing, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with an excellent museum.
Best time to visit
How to get there
What to expect
West Lake
A UNESCO World Heritage Site of extraordinary beauty, China's most celebrated landscape.
Longjing Tea
China's most celebrated green tea grown on plantations above the West Lake.
Lingyin Temple
One of China's finest and most atmospheric Buddhist temple complexes.
Grand Canal
The world's longest canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site connecting Hangzhou with Beijing.
Song Dynasty Heritage
One of China's most historically significant cities, capital of the Southern Song dynasty.
Hangzhou Cuisine
A refined culinary tradition including West Lake Fish in Vinegar Sauce and Dongpo pork.
