Hangzhou — Tour Highlights and Travel Tips
Travel Highlights
- Take a tranquil cruise across the UNESCO World Heritage enshrined West Lake, and enjoy spectacular views of this lake and the hillside landscape.
- Make the short, early morning stroll to Sunrise Terrace to take in West Lake in all its glory as the rising sun spreads its color right across the water’s surface.
- Embrace the glorious art and architecture of Chinese Buddhism at Língyǐn Temple, a place of worship for centuries that is home to rock-carved Buddhas among its many artistic masterpieces.
- Put on your walking boots and follow the signs towards Dragon Well Tea Village, a community renowned throughout China for its uniquely-flavoured tea.
- Have your camera ready for the trip to Leifeng Pagoda, a must-visit destination on any Hangzhou vacation. Originally constructed in 975 AD, the pagoda collapsed and was rebuilt in 2002 AD.
- Explore the ponds, lakes and swamps of Xixi National Wetland Park, a wonderland of lakeside life complete with authentic silk farms.
Travel Tips
- You can plan your vacation to West Lake and Hangzhou at any time of year thanks to its subtropical monsoon climate.
- Pick a hotel around the edge of the West Lake to minimise you travel times since, this is where many of the city’s most important highlights are located.
- There’s a nightly Impressions Show of traditional dancing, fireworks and lighting that begins at 7:45 pm. Since the show is really popular, make sure to book tickets as early as possible.
- Hangzhou hosts a range of festivals throughout the year, but the Lotus Festival in July – August is the most popular one. Though big on ambience during this festival, Hangzhou is also big on crowds during these times.
- There are a number of banks in town with foreign exchange facilities. US dollars, Euros and British pounds are most widely recognised.