Overview
Give Hangzhou 2 days minimum. One rushed West Lake lap from Shanghai is better than nothing, but it misses why the city works: lake edges in the morning, tea hills in the afternoon, and small streets where locals still treat walking as part of the day.
Hangzhou is not just "pretty scenery near Shanghai." It is a lake city, a tea city, and a tech city at the same time. West Lake is the first-time anchor, but Longjing village, Lingyin Temple, Hefang Street, and the canals make the trip feel less like a postcard.
My personal rule: do not circle the whole lake in one heroic march. Pick one side. Metro Line 1 to Longxiangqiao, Exit C, puts you about 10-15 minutes from the lakeside. Go early, then leave the busiest lakeside section before tour groups thicken.
Trains make Hangzhou easy. Shanghai to Hangzhou East is often about an hour, and Hangzhou also works as a gateway to Huangshan.
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Best Time to Visit Hangzhou
The best seasons are March-May and September-November. Spring brings willow trees, tea picking, and fresh green around West Lake. Autumn is clearer, with osmanthus fragrance around Manjuelong and comfortable walking weather.
Summer is hot and humid, often 28-36C / 82-97F. West Lake has little shade in some sections, so walk early or after 16:00. Winter is quiet and damp, usually 3-10C / 37-50F, with occasional cold rain.
Avoid West Lake during May Day, National Day, and sunny weekends in peak blossom season. If you must go then, use less obvious areas like Maojiabu, Yanggong Causeway, or the tea villages instead of only Broken Bridge and Hubin.
What to Eat in Hangzhou
Hangzhou food is gentler than Sichuan or Xi'an food. Try dongpo rou, braised pork belly; xihu cuyu, West Lake vinegar fish; longjing xiaren, shrimp with Longjing tea; pianerchuan noodles; and beggar's chicken if you want a classic banquet dish.
For casual eating, look around Hefang Street, Zhongshan Middle Road, Wushan area, and small noodle shops near residential blocks. A bowl of pianerchuan can be CNY 20-35; famous old restaurants near West Lake cost more and need patience.
Tea is part of the food culture. Longjing village is worth visiting, but avoid pushy "tea tasting" situations that turn into overpriced purchases. If you want context without pressure, the China National Tea Museum is easier.
How to Get Around Hangzhou
Hangzhou has a useful metro network, and it is much easier than fighting lake-area traffic. Line 1 connects Hangzhou East, Hangzhou Railway Station, Longxiangqiao, and parts of the city center. For West Lake, Longxiangqiao is the easiest first stop.
Use Didi for Longjing, Lingyin, and tea-village routes when buses are crowded. Around West Lake, walking and short taxi hops work better than trying to drive the whole loop. Shared bikes can be useful, but lakefront crowding makes them annoying on weekends.
From Xiaoshan Airport, Metro Line 19 is the fast cross-city option toward East Railway Station and West Railway Station. For late arrivals, a Didi to the West Lake hotel area is simpler, but confirm the exact hotel entrance because many streets are narrow.
Arriving in Hangzhou by Train
Hangzhou East Station (杭州东站) is the main high-speed rail hub. Use it for Shanghai, Beijing, Nanjing, Ningbo, Huangshan, and most long-distance bullet trains. Metro Lines 1, 4, 6, and 19 serve the hub or its east-square area. To West Lake, take Line 1 to Longxiangqiao, Exit C4, then walk to the lakeside.
Hangzhou Railway Station (杭州站), often called Chengzhan, is closer to West Lake and the old city. It has fewer services than Hangzhou East but can save time if your train stops there and your hotel is near the lake.
Hangzhou West Station (杭州西站) is useful for some Huangshan, westward, and airport-linked routes. It is served by Metro Lines 3 and 19 but sits far from West Lake. Hangzhou South Station (杭州南站) is in Xiaoshan and is rarely the best first choice for tourists.
Arrive 45-60 minutes early with your passport. Hangzhou East is large, but signage is clear once you know your train number and gate.