Hangzhou Travel Guide

Hangzhou (杭州; ɦaŋ-tsei in Wu, Hángzhōu in Mandarin) is the capital of Zhejiang province. It is one of the most important tourist cities in China, famous for its natural beauty and historical and cultural heritage. Hangzhou serves as the political, economic, and cultural center of Zhejiang province. It is a prosperous and highly developed city that attracts many migrants from less affluent provinces seeking employment opportunities. The city experiences high humidity during the summer months, from early June to early September. It has also emerged as a secondary tech hub for China, being home to the corporate headquarters of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba and its founder Jack Ma.

The airport is located approximately 30 km east of Hangzhou's city center, and the journey by taxi typically takes between 30 and 60 minutes. The fare for a taxi ride to or from the airport is around ¥90. When returning to the airport, it is a good idea to confirm with the driver if they are willing to take the trip before loading your luggage. The standard metered fare applies, with no additional fees for airport travel.

The easiest way around Hangzhou is the metro system, with 13 lines and 270 stations operational, covering 516 km as of August 2024.

You can find mid-range hotels all over the city, most of which will take foreigners. Try to bargain for a room. Ask how much they want for one night's stay, then say "what if I stay for 3 nights?" or something to that extent and it will become cheaper.