Hangzhou Travel & Vacation Guide

This educational museum tells the fascinating story of silk - from silk worms to finished product (some exquisite exhibits are on display), with demonstration of traditional weaving techniques. Admission is free, and explanations in English are provided.

Acquaint yourself with mysterious and rather exotic remedies collected in this authentic museum housed inside a traditional mansion right on the commercial Hefang street. Explore herbs and roots and see stuffed animals (some - a sight not for the faint of heart) used in traditional healing.

In old times, the temple bell resounded throughout Nanping Hill every day, summoning to pray for good fortune at Jingci Temple. Emperor Kangxi once said that the temple rouses one into deep thoughtfulness, and today monks of Jingci Temple still adhere to their daily sutra-chanting and meditation.

Bring time to the serene Fei Lai Feng mountain park and marvel at the area's hundreds of Buddha stone carvings, surrounded by lush greenery and an indescribable tranquil atmosphere. Much of the walk will entail hiking uphill to Lingyin Temple, so bring comfortable shoes.

This 1,000-year old pagoda continues to capture the imagination of the Chinese for the legend behind it - one of captivity, magic and a triumph of good over evil. The top of the five-storey pagoda is accessible by lift and the view over the West Lake from here is truly amazing.

To immerse yourself into China's age-old tea tradition, visit the Longjing Tea Fields (or any of the other tea fields further to the west). Longjing is an exquisite variety of tea native to the region, and visitors will get a chance to sample the noble drink during a tea ceremony.

Pagoda of Six Harmonies stands on the bank of Qiantang River, safeguarding the turbulent waters. A magnificent view of the Qianjiang River Bridge (the first modern steel-structured bridge with combined railway and road functions) unfolds from the top.

The Song Dynasty Town (or Songcheng) is an exciting, albeit slightly kitschy, theme park in Hangzhou. This is one of China’s largest dynastic theme parks, replicating the architecture and street scenes of that era.The park's main attraction, however, aren't its countless exotic exhibits, but a top-notch song and dance show that ranks amongst the finest in the world.

One of the city's most stylish venues, the Aurora Cocktail Lounge is celebrated as the place to be for cocktail connoisseurs. With fabled Jojo behind the bar, cocktails here are above par and live up to some of the most elevated expectations - choose from the menu or select a base alcohol to be worked with. I you like chill bar, this is the place to go.

Located on the scenic east bank of the lake, Eudora Station is an expats' darling that frequently hosts live bands and serves decent Western food. There is an airy outdoor terrace on the roof, from which an incredible view unfold before the party-goers.

At G-Plus, the party is on every single night of the week with lively crowds filling the dance floor and letting loose to tunes spun by some of the hottest DJs. Expats and visitors frequent the establishment, so expect a very welcoming, potpourri public.

This rather standard bar features an extensive drink list. The staff and crowd are very welcoming of foreigners, even though the public here mostly consists of locals. It's a rather low-key establishment, so head elsewhere for some rowdier party vibes.

Jz Club is the the venue for live jazz music. This place also serves food and holds regular jam sessions and concert series. Savor a cocktail or your drink of choice as music fills the air in this low-lit, laid-back venue by the West Lake waterfront.

The owner of this 3-storey, hip bar likes to travel around the world and has encrusted the establishment's walls with interesting artifacts from his trips. Regular live music shows are hosted. There is also a board for those interested to leave a message seeking travel companions.

Youtoo.Bar is an ideal place for friends to hangout. The friendly atmosphere makes it a good choice for a late night chat session. Regular signers are mainly folk signers, and vibes are relaxing and gentle. Various kinds of beer are served, whereas the cocktail selection is slightly more modest.

The street may feel a bit too polished, but is far from being your average tourist trap and shouldn't be mistaken for one. Some of the best street food in Hangzhou is to be had here, and multiple local shops crowd the area - find anything from pearls, to herbal remedies to tea and various souvenirs.

For great bargains on silk, head to the Silk Market - a collection of small shops and vendors selling all manner of items made from the noble fabric. To get the best deals, prepare to haggle hard - and you will be duly rewarded. Prices may vary significantly from one shop to another.

Set up more than 100 years ago as the only comprehensive fan-making enterprise in China, Wangxingji produces about 15 series and more than 400 high quality types of elegant fans with many new varieties emerging. This place is well known for its intricate craftsmanship and graceful appearance.

Wu Lin Road is one of the main leisure and shopping spots for women’s fashion in downtown Hangzhou. This shopping haven is 1,650 meters long and stretches from Qingchun Road in the south to Stadium Road in the north, lined with stores and boutiques all the way. Haggling is often expected.

Haggle away at Hangzhou's most popular night market - great bargains on clothing and accessories are to be had, and knock-off brand-name items are aplenty, if that's something for you. After shopping, grab a bite at one of the many busy street food stands.

You can not go home without taking some Longjing Green Tea. Hangzhou is one of the most famous tea producing areas in China, its Longjing tea dubbed "tea of Emperors". The long history and delicate processing makes it one of the finest teas in the world under a protected brand. To ensure the tea you're purchasing is authentic, choose a government-certified outlet such as Xihu Longjing Tea.

Founded in 1904, Xiling Seal Art Society was dedicated to the research of traditional Chinese calligraphy and seal carving art. Today, it is also a museum where more than 6000 authentic work of ancient Chinese artists are preserved, a boutique were you can get stone carved seal or calligraphy with your own name on it. Even the well preserved Qing dynasty style architecture of the society alone is a piece of art.

Zhang Xiaoquan Scissors boast a 300 year long history. There is a staggering over 100 varieties and 400 specifications, ranging from industrial scissors, to tailor scissors to hairdressing scissors, to gift and souvenir scissors and collectors’ series.

Late spring or early autumn would be the best time to visit Hangzhou. Hangzhou is a typical subtropical city where four seasons are distinguishable. Winter is cold and dry while during the summer time, temperatures can go up till 32 degrees or even higher, along with abundant rainfall and a risk of typhoons. Try to avoid Chinese public holidays such as between October 1st and 7th, during which the city could be flooded by local tourists.

For citizens of the following countries, visa is not requested for short term stays : - 90 days : Bosnia and Herzegovina, San Marino - 60 days : Mauritius - 30 days : Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Ecuador, Fiji, Grenada, Qatar, Serbia, Seychelles, Tonga, United Arab Emirates. - 15 days : Brunei, Japan, Singapore. Holders of passports issued by the following 49 countries do not require a visa for a 144-hour stay if they are transiting through Hangzhou Airport or Shanghai Hongqiao Airport. However, passengers need to provide ticket showing their first destination, which should be outside China, nor could it be in the same country as the inbound flight. - All European Union citizens, Albania, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Iceland, Japan, Macedonia, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Qatar, Russia, South Korea, Switzerland, Ukraine, United States. - Messengers who enter China by Shanghai or Hangzhou Airport under transition condition can not leave the area of Zhejiang, Suzhou, and Shanghai.

Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport is located on the south bank of Qiantang River, 27 kilometers away from the downtown area of Hangzhou and 15 kilometers from Xiaoshan Town. A ride from the airport to Wu Lin Road takes about 50 minutes. Shuttle buses run regularly between the airport (Gate 14 area) and the city center, where they make multiple stops (Huanglong Tourist Center, bus stations, etc.). There is a taxi stand at the airport (Gate 10).

There is an extensive and reliable bus network in Hangzhou, although bus schedules are all in Chinese only. Buses with a "Y" prefix are the ones that circulate among the tourist hot spots. Tickets can be bought directly from the driver (a bus card may be purchased at kiosks in advance). There are also 3 subway lines and 5 under construction. There are 3 railway stations in Hangzhou, Hangzhou Station, Hangzhou South Station and Hangzhou East Station. The easiest way to get to Hangzhou Station is to take the subway line 1. Other stations are served by buses. The public transportation is convenient in Hangzhou and buses serve most tourist sites. There are also bicycle rentals, with a deposit, to enjoy a journey around the West Lake.

Taxis are relatively easy to flag down, especially from public places such as bus stops and attraction sites. Getting a cab right off the street normally works faster than calling to order one, as most telephone operators do not speak English and the service is generally relatively slow. The price is 3 km/11 yuan and than 2,5 yuan / km. You can also use taxi cab hailing service with WeChat or Alipay (like Chinese version of Uber). Some Taxi companies for booking in advance: Hangzhou Taxi +86 571 28811111 Hangzhou Leyuan Transport Company +86 571 85311193 Hangzhou Volkswagen Taxi Company +86 571 2720397

220 V/50 Hz Adapter needed

Due to the Internet policy of China, certain websites and applications are not accessible from the mainland, which includes those very commonly used in the west (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Google, Skype and more). Some travellers have been able to gain access to those via a VPN service (installed prior to arrival in China). Make sure you comply with local laws and regulations when deciding on whether or not to employ a VPN, and which one to choose (if you do, only use those explicitly allowed by the Chinese government, and only use them for authorised purposes to avoid any trouble). There have been reports of foreigners in China getting their cell service cut off in response to unauthorised use of VPN being detected; restoring cell service required a trip to the local police station where contents of the device were investigated and certain apps removed. Giving that Google is banned in China, Google Maps might not be the most accurate and reliable source of information. Some local apps such as Baidu Maps and AutoNavi tend to work better than Google Maps.

There are numerous pharmacies scattered throughout the city. Ask your hotel for assistance if you need help finding one. In the city centre, multiple pharmacies are located along Quingchun Road and Fengqi Road.