Things to Do in Hangzhou
36 curated spots from Hangzhou itineraries
Activities & Attractions
30 curated experiences
Lingyin Temple
Explore one of China’s most famous Buddhist temples, with incense-filled halls tucked against forested hillsides.
2h · $10-15 per person including entrance
Qinghefang Ancient Street
Wander this restored old street with traditional buildings, tea shops, snack stalls, and craft stores.
2h · Free (shopping extra)
Longjing (Dragon Well) Tea Village
Head into the terraced tea hills above West Lake; wander narrow lanes between tea fields, visit a tea farmer’s house for a simple Dragon Well tea tasting, and walk short paths that weave through bamboo and tea bushes.
2h 30m · $0-10 (depending on tea tasting)
Feilai Peak Grottoes
Right next to Lingyin, wander forest paths and see ancient Buddhist carvings in mossy rock cliffs and caves.
1h 30m · Included with Lingyin combo ticket or ~$5 extra
Leifeng Pagoda
Take the elevator up this modern pagoda for panoramic views over the lake, hills, and city, then walk down via the wooden walkways surrounded by trees.
2h · $8-12 per person
Lingyin Temple & Feilai Peak Grottoes
Spend the morning exploring Lingyin Temple’s halls of golden Buddhas and incense, then follow the forested paths around Feilai Peak’s ancient stone grotto carvings; lots of steps but also plenty of shaded rest spots.
3h · $10-15 per person (combined ticket)
Xixi National Wetland Park
Walk wooden boardwalks, small forest tracks, and causeways between reeds, trees, and quiet water channels; optionally take a short boat ride inside the park to see more remote corners.
3h · $10-15 (entry, plus small boat optional)Xixi National Wetland Park – Boat & Boardwalks
Take a boat ride through reed beds, waterways, and islets, then walk wooden paths among trees and water.
3h · $10-18
Broken Bridge & Bai Causeway Walk
After lunch, cross the famous Broken Bridge and stroll along Bai Causeway, shaded by trees with water on both sides and views back towards the city.
2h · Free
China National Tea Museum (Longjing Road Campus)
Visit exhibits about tea history and culture, then step outside to trails overlooking tea terraces and forested hills.
2h · $3-6
Dragon Well (Longjing) Tea Village
Head up into terraced tea hills, stroll narrow lanes between tea bushes, and sit at simple tea houses overlooking green slopes to taste fresh Longjing tea.
2h 30m · $10-20 per person (tea tasting and small fee)
Evening Lakefront Stroll at Hubin & Music Fountain
Finish your trip with a relaxed walk along the modern, tree-lined Hubin lakefront; if timing matches, watch the West Lake music fountain show and enjoy the reflections of hills and city lights.
1h 30m · Free
Evening West Lake Musical Fountain
Watch the choreographed fountains and lights show by the eastern lakeshore (near Lakeside metro) after sunset; arrive 20–30 minutes early for a good spot.
1h · Free
Evening West Lake Viewpoint (Short Walk Near Orioles Singing in the Willows)
Finish the day with a short lakeside walk in the southern park area as lights come on, watching reflections on the water and street performers if present.
1h · Free
Feilai Feng Grottoes
Right beside Lingyin, walk along the stream and see ancient Buddhist rock carvings set among mossy cliffs.
1h 30m · Included with Lingyin ticket or ~$5 extra
Feilai Peak Grottoes (Flying Peak)
Right next to Lingyin Temple, follow stone paths along a forested stream to view hundreds of ancient Buddhist carvings on the limestone cliffs.
1h 30m · Included with Lingyin area ticket or small extra fee
Free Explore: Favorite Corner of West Lake
Return to whichever part of West Lake you loved most—maybe Su Causeway, Bai Causeway, or a quiet garden—and simply walk, sit, and take photos.
2h · Free
Hangzhou Botanical Garden (杭州植物园)
Wander winding paths through bamboo groves, shaded lawns, and small ponds; look for hidden pavilions and quiet corners for photos and breaks.
2h · $3-5 per person
Hangzhou Longjing Tea Fields (Meijiawu Village)
Take a taxi (25–35 minutes) into Meijiawu Tea Village, walk between terraced tea fields and learn how Longjing tea is grown.
2h 30m · $5-10 plus taxi
Hefang Street (Qinghefang Ancient Street)
Explore this restored old street with traditional shopfronts, snack stalls, tea shops, and craft stores; it’s particularly atmospheric after dark with hanging red lanterns.
2h · Free (shopping extra)
Impression West Lake Show (Enduring Memories of Hangzhou)
Outdoor performance staged on the water itself with music, lights, and dancers appearing to glide across the lake, telling poetic stories of Hangzhou.
1h 10m · $40-80 per person
Jiuxi (Nine Creeks) Riverside Walk
Follow the creek-side path through tea bushes, bamboo, and small stone crossings; choose how far you go then turn back.
2h 30m · Free
Leifeng Pagoda (雷峰塔)
Ride the elevator up this modern-rebuilt pagoda for sweeping views over West Lake and the surrounding hills, then walk down through its exhibits.
1h 30m · $7-10 per personLeifeng Pagoda Visit
Climb or elevator up Leifeng Pagoda for panoramic lake and city views, with exhibits inside and leafy paths around its base.
1h 30m · $8-12
Lingyin Temple & Feilai Feng Grottoes
Explore the Feilai Feng grotto area first for ancient Buddhist rock carvings nestled in mossy limestone and forest, then enter Lingyin Temple’s halls and climb a bit higher into the wooded hillside if you like.
3h · $12-18 (combined tickets)
Lingyin Temple & Feilai Peak Grottoes (灵隐寺与飞来峰)
Walk through the wooded valley past ancient Buddhist rock carvings at Feilai Peak, then enter Lingyin Temple’s multiple halls filled with incense, statues, and prayer ribbons, all surrounded by dense forested hills.
3h · $10-15 per person total (scenic area + temple)
Longjing Tea Fields Walk (Dragon Well Village)
After Meijiawu, take a short taxi to Longjing village and follow the paved paths upwards through dense tea bushes and trees for hilltop views over the green valley.
2h · Free
Longjing Village Free Explore
Wander a bit around Longjing village lanes, small shrines and tea shops, tasting plain Longjing tea (no additives).
1h 30m · Free (tea tasting may cost a few dollars)
Meijiawu Tea Village
Wander stone lanes between tea terraces, peek into small tea houses, and walk short forested paths just above the village; skip tea tastings if you’re unsure about additives.
2h 30m · Free (small cost if entering specific gardens)
Northwest West Lake Free Explore
Walk from Lingyin toward the Yue Fei Temple lakeside area and wander the shaded lakeshore paths without a strict route.
2h · FreeRestaurants & Food
6 local favorites
Dongyishun Muslim Restaurant (East Hubin Road Branch)
Well-known halal Chinese-Muslim restaurant. Order: Lanzhou-style hand-pulled beef noodles, cumin beef, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, and sesame naan-style bread; all meat is prepared halal.
1h 15m · $15-25 per person
Halal Breakfast Stall (Near Ding’an Road Station)
Look for a small halal (清真) cart or shop selling warm flatbreads, sesame bread, and soy milk near the station or side streets.
30m · $2-4 per person
Halal Lanzhou Noodles (Nansongyu Street Branch)
Return toward the south side of West Lake and find this halal noodle spot; order beef noodles, stir-fried greens, and dumplings if available.
45m · $4-9 per personLingyin Temple Vegetarian Canteen (灵隐寺素斋)
Simple buffet-style vegetarian dining within the temple grounds. Fill a tray with tofu, mock meat, greens, and rice—entirely meat-free; you can keep it halal by avoiding any dishes that appear to have cooking wine or unfamiliar sauces.
45m · $5-8 per person
Muslim Restaurant Near West Lake Culture Square
Halal restaurant back near the city center with grilled meats, noodles, and vegetable dishes; confirm halal signage.
1h 15m · $10-18 per person
Starbucks / Luckin Coffee by West Lake
Use a café on the lakeside for sandwiches or baked goods that are vegetarian (cheese, egg, or plain) plus coffee, tea, or juice; check labels for meat or gelatin.
1h · $6-10 per person