West Lake, tea hills and the classical China of paintings
West Lake has been China's most painted landscape for a thousand years, and it costs nothing to walk its causeways. Hangzhou layers tea villages, temples and the Grand Canal around that water — and it is only 45 minutes by train from Shanghai.
Tickets below are the official standard adult prices at the time of checking. Real-name booking means your passport is the ticket — book under your exact passport name and carry the booklet itself. Prices checked Nov 1, 2026 — operators change them without notice, always confirm on the official site before paying.
Unesco-listed lake with ten classical scenes: causeway walks, lotus in summer, snow bridges in winter. The best free attraction in China.
Tip — Walk Bai Causeway and Su Causeway, not the tour-boat circuit. Sunrise at Broken Bridge is empty and famous.
East China's grandest Buddhist temple, founded 328 AD, with 300+ Buddhist carvings chiselled into the cliff next door.
Tip — Go before 08:00 on weekends to beat incense crowds; the peak carvings are the artistic highlight.
The village that grows China's most famous green tea on terraces above the lake. Free to walk; tastings are free if you are polite.
Tip — Late March to mid-May is harvest; the village is loud with dryers and green with new leaf.
Hangzhou's end of the 1,800 km canal: stone bridges, warehouse museums, night cruise options.
Tip — The ¥3 canal ferry from Gongchen Bridge is the best-value boat ride in China.
A calm maze of waterways east of the lake — boat paths, persimmon trees, herons.
Tip — Pick the weekend-free East zone if you only want a walk.
Reconstructed Song-dynasty shop street — herbal medicine halls, silk, snacks, and the Southern Song imperial street below the surface.
Tip — Snack here before walking to the lake; the state-run pharmacy museum is genuinely interesting.
| Period | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Mar – May | Blossom and fresh tea — the classic postcard window. |
| Oct – Nov | Osmanthus scent everywhere, clear skies, ideal temperatures. |
| Jun – Aug | Hot, humid, lotus season; rain showers pass quickly. |
| Dec – Feb | Quiet, bare, occasionally snow — the 'broken bridge snow' scene is legendary. |
Hangzhou East station is 45 min from Shanghai by train. Xiaoshan airport (HGN) handles international routes. Metro covers the lake's edge; didi is cheap.
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