hangzhou
West Lake's misty waters, Dragon Well tea plantations, and the gentle poetry of traditional Chinese landscapes
Top Highlights
- 1 West Lake
- 2 Lingyin Temple
- 3 Longjing Tea Village
- 4 Song Dynasty Town
- 5 Six Harmonies Pagoda
Visa & Entry
144-hr & 15-day visa-free
Citizens of many countries can enter China visa-free for up to 15 days, or use the 144-hour transit visa-free scheme for shorter visits.
Full visa guideBest Time to Visit
Mar–May & Sep–Nov
Suggested stay: 2–3 days. Avoid the Golden Week holiday (1–7 October) and Spring Festival (Jan/Feb) — crowds are enormous and prices peak.
Seasonal travel guide10 articles — page 1 of 2
All destinations
HangzhouHangzhou Longjing Tea Village: Picking, Tasting and the Tea Culture Experience
Complete guide to visiting Longjing Village and its tea plantations in Hangzhou. When to visit for picking season, how to buy authentic Longjing tea, tea house experiences, and avoiding overpriced tourist traps.
Updated May 2026
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hangzhouHangzhou Song Dynasty Culture: History, Night Markets & Imperial Heritage
Dive into Hangzhou's Song dynasty heritage — the city that served as China's imperial capital for 150 years, where the traditions of silk, tea, and refined aesthetics were perfected. Explore the Southern Song Imperial Street, Hefang Street night market, and the cultural legacy of China's most civilised dynasty.
Updated May 2026
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hangzhouHangzhou West Lake Travel Guide: Cycling, Tea Plantations & the Ten Scenes
Complete guide to Hangzhou's West Lake — the UNESCO World Heritage scenic masterpiece that inspired a millennium of Chinese poetry, with cycling routes, Dragon Well tea culture, Lingyin Temple, and seasonal highlights.
Updated May 2026
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hangzhouHangzhou Travel Guide: West Lake, Longjing Tea & the Water Town of China
A complete guide to Hangzhou — how to explore West Lake by boat and on foot, where to try Longjing dragon well tea at the source, and what makes this city one of China's most beautiful destinations.
Updated May 2026
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hangzhouLongjing Tea Village Hangzhou: Picking Tea at the Source & West Lake Cycling
A focused guide to Longjing Village and the West Lake cycling circuit in Hangzhou — how to visit the tea farms in spring, rent a bike for the lakeside route, and combine it with a full West Lake exploration.
Updated May 2026
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China East Coast 7-Day Itinerary: Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou & Water Towns
The perfect 7-day loop through China's most beautiful and accessible eastern cities — Shanghai's skyline, Hangzhou's West Lake, Suzhou's classical gardens, and ancient water towns.
Updated May 2026
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