Best Travel Guide Hangzhou | ArrivalGuides.com

HangzhouGuide was updated: 2022-06-01

Like Yin and Yang, Hangzhou, the capital city of the Zhejiang Province, has two sides that complete each other. This historic city is a showcase for traditional medicine, religion and art as well as a shining example of China’s rapid economic development. Combining idyllic natural beauty, a grand heritage through the ages and an air of affluence, Hangzhou is one of the country’s most livable and pleasant cities to linger in.

Do & See

Most visits to Hangzhou center around the West Lake. To hit some of the most important sights, dedicate a day to simply strolling around the body of water - monuments like the Leifeng Pagoda and Jinci Temple are located directly on its shores, much like many others. The lake's east bank is where fashionable eateries, bars and scenic spots are concentrated; even further to the east (around Jiefang Lu) begins the new Hangzhou, where fashionable stores and modern amenities can be found.

West Lake / 西湖

West Lake's every scenic spot has a poetic name and a tale associated with it. Any local can point a wandering visitor to the best spot to enjoy the dawn or the setting sun. The best way to appreciate it in all its splendor is to rent a bicycle and take a ride around.

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Leifeng Pagoda / 雷峰塔

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.

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Evening Bell at Nanping Hill / 南屏晚钟

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.

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Song Dynasty Town / 宋城

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.

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Pagoda of Six Harmonies / 六和塔

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.

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Wu Zhen / 乌镇

About 80 km from Hangzhou city and just an easy hour bus ride away, Wu Zhen is a town where time passes without notice. More and more tourists have discovered the time-worn cobbled stone streets, crow-stepped gable, wooden doors and long, narrow alleys of Wu Zhen. Still, the life of the locals seem undisturbed. They still keep to their traditional customs, like drinking Sanbai Wine, making traditional maltose and sipping morning tea until 9.30 am, the same leisurely and pleasing way their great grandfathers did. With the newly created Wu Zhen International Theater Festival, the town shows also a touch of modern culture.

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Population:	9,468,000 (2017)
Currency:	1 RMB =10 Jiao
Emergency Numbers:	Police: 110 Ambulance: 120 Fire Brigade: 119
Newspapers:	Hangzhou Daily City News
Opening Hours:	Most offices are open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 or 6 pm. Some bank branches also operate on weekends. Shopping centers and department stores are usually open seven days a week until 9 or 10 pm.
Tourist Information:	Hangzhou Tourist Information Centre Located on Yan'an Rd, WuShan ShangQuan, Shangcheng Qu Open: daily 8 am-4 pm