Hangzhou
Hangzhou draws visitors to West Lake's causeways, islands and pagodas, with tea hills at the edge of the city and a high-speed rail link from Shanghai.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Hangzhou is the capital of Zhejiang Province in eastern China, southwest of Shanghai. Its best-known sight is West Lake, a UNESCO-listed cultural landscape of causeways, islands, pagodas and gardens. Walk or cycle the Su and Bai causeways, then take a boat out to one of the islands. The hills west and south of the lake grow Longjing green tea, and Lingyin Temple sits in the hills behind the lake.
Two to three days covers the lake, a tea village and a temple without rushing. A high-speed rail line links Hangzhou with Shanghai, which makes a day trip practical if you only want the lake. An overnight stay lets you see the shoreline in the early morning and evening, when the day trippers leave. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for walking the hills.
Hangzhou in five
- Stay near the lake, not the stationThe east and south shores put West Lake within walking distance, which matters at dawn and dusk. Stations are good for transfers only. The where-to-stay guide compares the shores and the tea hills.Where to stay in Hangzhou
- Check which station your train usesHangzhou has more than one high-speed station, so confirm the one on your ticket on 12306 before choosing a hotel. The Shanghai guide covers day trip versus overnight.Shanghai to Hangzhou
- Walk the causeways early or lateUNESCO lists West Lake as a cultural landscape of two causeways, three islands and many bridges, pagodas and temples. The midday window is the busiest, so plan lake walks near opening time or at dusk.Hangzhou in 2 days
- Register private-apartment staysHotels register foreign guests at check-in. If you rent an apartment, you or your host must register within 24 hours; the China guide has the rule and the online route.China travel guide
- Pair Hangzhou with Shanghai or NanjingHangzhou sits on the Yangtze River Delta rail network, so a two-city route with Shanghai, or a longer line to Nanjing, needs no flights.Nanjing
Things to do in Hangzhou
See all attractions in Hangzhou
Need to know
- Airport
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan (HGH)
- Getting there
- High-speed rail from Shanghai, Nanjing and Beijing; flights
- Getting around
- Metro, buses and taxis; walk or cycle the lake path
- Best base
- East shore for sights, south shore for quiet, tea hills for calm
- Time needed
- 1 day from Shanghai; 2 days with tea villages
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy10 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh10°Low3°Cold, dampJanuaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 78 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, damp
- FebruaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh12°Low4°Cold, drizzleFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 83 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, drizzle
- MarchRain13 rainy daysHigh17°Low9°Mild, springMarchRain
Good
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 115 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, spring
- AprilRain13 rainy daysHigh23°Low13°Spring teaAprilRain
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 137 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring tea
- MayRain14 rainy daysHigh27°Low18°Warm, pleasantMayRain
Good
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 181 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, pleasant
- JuneRain19 rainy daysHigh29°Low22°Plum rainJuneRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 382 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Plum rain
- JulyRain17 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh33°Low26°Hot, humidJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 217 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, humid
- AugustRain15 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh34°Low26°Hot, humidAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 195 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, humid
- SeptemberRain14 rainy daysHigh29°Low22°Warm, clearerSeptemberRain
Good
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 147 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, clearer
- OctoberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh23°Low16°Clear, osmanthusOctoberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 56 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Clear, osmanthus
- NovemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh18°Low11°Cool, clearNovemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 79 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, clear
- DecemberPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh12°Low5°Cold, quietDecemberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 49 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
Average daily high and low in Hangzhou, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Hangzhou
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
16
- Feels like
- 15°
- Humidity
- 77%
- Wind
- 8 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 88%
Hangzhou
04:40 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today19°13°88%Tuesday: Rain. High 19°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 88%.
- Wed20°16°100%Wednesday: Rain. High 20°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Thu22°16°59%Thursday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 59%.
- Fri22°14°4%Friday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Sat21°15°84%Saturday: Rain. High 21°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 84%.
- Sun17°14°99%Sunday: Rain. High 17°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 99%.
- Mon15°12°92%Monday: Drizzle. High 15°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 92%.
Updated 01:15 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 6.661 CNY
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Shanghaiby high-speed railThe Bund and old lanes, an easy rail hop for a day or a night.Read the guide
- Nanjingby high-speed railMing city wall, Sun Yat-sen's mausoleum and the Qinhuai quarter.Read the guide
- Wuzhen water townregional bus or tourCanal houses and wooden bridges in northern Zhejiang; best outside peak weekends.
Before you go to Hangzhou
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Hangzhou, checked
- Check visa-free entry and visa rules for your passport on the National Immigration Administration website before you fly.Source
- Hotels register foreign guests at check-in, so bring your passport to every stay, including short ones.
- Declare cash and goods above the customs limits on your arrival card; check the General Administration of Customs site for current limits.Source
- Google services and many foreign apps are blocked in mainland China, so download offline maps and install your apps before you arrive.
- Drug offences carry heavy penalties in China. Never carry a bag or parcel for someone else.
Hangzhou FAQ
Is Hangzhou worth visiting?
Yes, especially for West Lake: UNESCO lists it as a cultural landscape of causeways, islands, pagodas and temples set against wooded hills. It works best as a slower, greener contrast to Shanghai rather than a monument-heavy stop.
How many days do you need in Hangzhou?
One long day covers West Lake and one temple or tea village from Shanghai. Two days adds a calmer lake morning and Longjing. A third day is only worth it for water towns or if you are using Hangzhou as a base.
Can you visit Hangzhou as a day trip from Shanghai?
Yes. Hangzhou is on the high-speed rail line from Shanghai, and a day trip works if you leave early and book return seats in advance. Stay one night if you want the lake at dawn or dusk.
When is the best time to visit Hangzhou?
April, May, October and November. Spring brings new tea and mild weather, and autumn is clear with osmanthus in bloom. June can bring plum rain, and July and August are hot and humid.
Do I need cash in Hangzhou?
Less than elsewhere: mobile payment is the default in big cities. Set up a payment app before arrival and keep a little cash for small shops and tea villages; the China guide has the UK advice.