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Travel guide

Hangzhou

West Lake's hills and water on one side, the lights of the new riverside district on the other.

Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov

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Photo: Fung Martin / Unsplash

Sights

West Lake
Photo: Stephen Fang / Unsplash

West Lake

A lake ringed by hills on three sides and crossed by two causeways. Take a boat out at dusk.

Suggested time
4 hours
Opening hours
The lakeshore is open all day; boats to Three Pools Mirroring the Moon run 8:00–17:00.
Tickets & booking
Walking the lake is free. Boats to the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon island cost ¥55–70 including island entry.
Getting there
Metro Line 1 to Longxiangqiao, then walk west to the lake.

Checked 2026-10-06

Leifeng Pagoda
Photo: Lin Lone / Unsplash

Leifeng Pagoda

On Sunset Hill above the lake's south shore. Today's pagoda stands over the ruins of the original.

Suggested time
1 hour
Opening hours
Opens 8:00 daily. May–Oct it closes at 20:00 (last entry 19:30); earlier the rest of the year.
Tickets & booking
Adults ¥40. Tickets go on sale seven days ahead on the “Leifeng Pagoda” WeChat account and are also sold on site. Whether online booking takes passports: not yet tested.
Getting there
Bus 4, 315 or the West Lake loop lines to Jingsi stop, then a short walk.

Checked 2026-10-06

Lingyin Temple
Photo: ün LIU / Unsplash

Lingyin Temple

A temple founded in the fourth century, set in wooded hills west of the lake beside the Feilai Feng carvings.

Suggested time
2.5 hours
Opening hours
7:30–17:30 (last entry 17:00), in morning and afternoon slots.
Tickets & booking
Free since December 2025 for the Feilai Feng area, Lingyin Temple included, but you must book in the “杭州灵隐飞来峰” mini program on Alipay or WeChat; passports accepted. Book at least one day and up to seven days ahead (places open at 8:00). Walk-up registration ended in February 2026; when full, join the online waitlist.
Getting there
Bus 7, 278, 324M or 505 to Lingyin stop.

Checked 2026-10-06

Longjing Tea Fields
Photo: Jinsheng Bian / Unsplash

Longjing Tea Fields

Tea terraces on the hills southwest of West Lake, bright with new leaves in the spring picking season.

Suggested time
1.5 hours
Opening hours
The tea villages are open all day.
Tickets & booking
Free, no booking needed.
Getting there
The tea fields spread around Longjing and Meijiawu villages. For Meijiawu, take bus 12, 180 or West Lake Shuttle Line 3.

Checked 2026-10-06

Qiantang River
Photo: JinHui CHEN / Unsplash

Qiantang River

The Olympic Sports Center and International Expo Center face the river. Walk the riverside path at dusk.

Suggested time
1.5 hours
Opening hours
The riverside path is open all day. The Qianjiang New Town light show runs in the evening on a seasonal schedule (September 2026: 19:30 and 20:30 on Fridays and Saturdays, 20:30 other nights).
Tickets & booking
Free, no booking needed.
Getting there
Metro Line 4 to Jiangjin Road or Citizen Center, then head to the river.

Checked 2026-10-06

2-day itinerary

  1. Day 1

    1. West Lake4 hours
    2. Leifeng Pagoda1 hour

  2. Day 2

    1. Lingyin Temple2.5 hours
    2. Longjing Tea Fields1.5 hours
    3. Qiantang River1.5 hours

Transport

Airport: Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport. High-speed rail stations: Hangzhou East and Hangzhou West.

Checked 2026-10-06

Tips

The Feilai Feng area around Lingyin Temple is free but must be booked at least a day ahead; there are no same-day or walk-up places. Leifeng Pagoda tickets go on sale seven days ahead on its WeChat account.

Checked 2026-10-06