What is the Charm of Hangzhou, Praised as a ‘Paradise on Earth’?
Hangzhou, a historic city boasting one of China’s most beautiful landscapes, has been cherished by literati and artists since ancient times. It’s famous for being praised by Marco Polo as ‘the most beautiful and splendid city in the world,’ and continues to captivate many travelers today.
At its heart is West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage site. However, Hangzhou’s attractions are not limited to West Lake. From ancient Buddhist temples and opulent mansions left by wealthy Qing Dynasty merchants to vast wetlands with untouched nature, there’s no end to its highlights.
In this article, we’ve carefully selected 5 major spots that are ‘particularly worth discussing’ from among the many. Beyond textbook explanations, we provide a thorough guide with a real local feel, including the best times to visit, tips for avoiding crowds, and common traveler’s pitfalls.
West Lake Scenic Area
📍 Address: 市辖区, Xi Hu Qu, Hang Zhou Shi, Zhe Jiang Sheng, People’s Republic of China, Postal Code: 310024
The highlight of Hangzhou tourism and an absolute must-visit is the ‘West Lake Scenic Area.’ It’s a vast freshwater lake surrounded by gentle mountains on three sides, with classic Chinese scenery unfolding along its shores. Particularly famous are the ‘Ten Scenes of West Lake,’ 10 stunning scenic spots. The lake’s surface dramatically changes its appearance depending on the season and time of day; the ethereal mist-shrouded morning landscape and the golden-hued lake at dusk are truly breathtakingly beautiful.
【Deep Advice for Travelers】
The lakeside promenade of West Lake stretches for about 15 kilometers. If you start walking, drawn by the beautiful scenery, your legs might give out midway. The local rule of thumb is not to try to walk the entire circumference, but to cleverly use the electric carts (sightseeing vehicles) running along the lake or ferry boats (around 70 yuan for adults). Especially, taking a pleasure boat to islands like ‘Three Pools Mirroring the Moon’ allows you to enjoy postcard-perfect views from the water. Weekends and holidays can be very crowded, so if you wish to enjoy tranquility, an early morning stroll is highly recommended.
Leifeng Pagoda
📍 Address: 15 Nan Shan Lu, Xi Hu Qu, Hang Zhou Shi, Zhe Jiang Sheng, People’s Republic of China, 310007
Soaring atop Sunset Hill on the south bank of West Lake, ‘Leifeng Pagoda’ is a beautiful pagoda known as one of the ‘Ten Scenes of West Lake’: ‘Leifeng Pagoda in the Sunset.’ It is also famous as the setting for ‘The Legend of the White Snake,’ one of China’s Four Great Folktales. This tragic love story tells of Bai Suzhen, a white snake spirit, who was imprisoned beneath this pagoda by Monk Fahai.
【Deep Advice for Travelers】
The original pagoda was built during the Northern Song Dynasty but collapsed in 1924. The current pagoda was rebuilt in 2002, and on the first floor, the ruins of the old pagoda are preserved and displayed, visible through glass. What’s surprising is that while its exterior resembles a historic structure, the grounds are equipped with outdoor escalators and the pagoda’s interior has elevators! Even those without confidence in their stamina can reach the top floor quickly. The view from the top floor is magnificent, offering a panoramic overlook of the entire West Lake. Purchasing tickets online sometimes requires a Chinese ID number, so it’s smoother to buy them directly at the local ticket counter.
Lingyin Temple
📍 Address: Xi Hu Qu, Hangzhou Shi, People’s Republic of China, Postal Code: 310058
The most historic temple in Hangzhou and one of China’s Five Mountains and Ten Temples of Zen Buddhism is ‘Lingyin Temple.’ It is said to have been founded in 326 AD by the Indian monk Huili during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, exuding a solemn atmosphere surrounded by deep woods. On ‘Feilai Peak,’ a limestone hill in front of the temple, more than 300 grotto statues (cliff carvings) from the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period to the Song and Yuan dynasties remain, and the exquisite detail of the Buddha statues carved into the rock face is truly breathtaking.
【Deep Advice for Travelers】
The Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak area is very vast, and exploring everything takes about 90 minutes to 2 hours. Since it’s built along the mountain slope, there are many steep stone steps to climb, which can be slippery after rain. Absolutely wear comfortable sneakers when you visit. Also, after 10 AM, it gets crowded with domestic tour groups, so the best time to visit is at 7 AM when it opens. You can quietly enjoy the ethereal space where the clear morning air mixes with the incense smoke, all to yourself.
Hu Xueyan’s Former Residence
📍 Address: 18 Yuan Bao Jie, Shang Cheng Qu, Hang Zhou Shi, Zhe Jiang Sheng, People’s Republic of China, 310002
Praised as ‘the premier residence of a great merchant in late Qing China,’ this is the former home of Hu Xueyan, a wealthy magnate from the late Qing Dynasty. Located on a quiet street slightly away from Hangzhou’s bustling city center, stepping inside the high walls reveals a world of unimaginable opulence. It features traditional Jiangnan garden architecture while incorporating innovative Western elements that were groundbreaking for its time.
【Deep Advice for Travelers】
The greatest highlight of this residence is the lavish architectural details. Beyond the intricate wood carvings and beautiful rock gardens found throughout, the windows are fitted with vibrant blue stained glass imported from France. When light streams in, you can experience a retro and fantastical atmosphere created by the fusion of Chinese architecture and Western glass. While places like Shanghai’s Yu Garden are always teeming with people, this spot is relatively less crowded, a hidden gem where you can slowly and elegantly enjoy your time at your own pace. If you’re a history or architecture enthusiast, this is a must-visit.
Xixi Wetland Park
📍 Address: 天目山路518号, Xi Hu Qu, Hang Zhou Shi, Zhe Jiang Sheng, People’s Republic of China, Postal Code: 310023
Located approximately 5km west of West Lake, ‘Xixi Wetland Park’ is a vast national wetland park often called ‘Hangzhou’s kidney.’ Its area spans an astonishing 11.5 square kilometers, with countless rivers and swamps intertwining throughout the park. It has been a filming location for popular movies, an urban oasis where rich greenery, waterside birds, and ancient waterside townscapes blend, allowing you to forget the hustle and bustle of the city.
【Deep Advice for Travelers】
The park is broadly divided into ‘free areas’ and ‘paid areas.’ Even the free area is extensive enough to enjoy strolling along the water’s edge where lotus flowers bloom, or trying local snacks at Hezhu Street. However, if you’re there, we highly recommend entering the paid area and taking a ‘yaoluchuan’ (hand-paddled boat). The experience of slowly navigating through quiet, jungle-like waterways with a boatman is exceptional. While boatmen’s guides are often only in Chinese, enjoying interaction with locals through gestures is part of the charm of travel. As this is an outdoor activity, don’t forget to prepare for sun protection and insect repellent.
Summary: Tips for Enjoying Hangzhou Tourism More
Hangzhou’s tourist attractions are characterized by their grand scale and deep history. Especially for areas around West Lake, the Wetland Park, and Lingyin Temple, which are vast, it’s recommended not to cram too much into one day. Instead, try a schedule where you walk through the main spots in the morning and spend the afternoon leisurely on a pleasure boat or enjoying Longjing tea at a tea house.
Furthermore, ‘DiDi (ride-hailing app)’ and shared bicycles are extremely convenient for local transportation. If you set up Chinese e-payment (Alipay or WeChat Pay) in advance, paying entrance fees and trying street food will become dramatically smoother. We hope you’ll use this article as a reference and fully savor the profound charm of Hangzhou!
