Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province, is one of China’s most famous and historically significant cities. Known for its picturesque landscapes and rich cultural heritage, Hangzhou has been celebrated by poets and artists since ancient times. The city is nestled along the southeastern coast of China, encompassing the northern banks of the Qiantang River and is dominated by West Lake, the iconic centerpiece of Hangzhou’s natural beauty.
Today, Hangzhou is not only a major tourist attraction but also a thriving hub for technology and innovation, often referred to as China’s Silicon Valley due to the presence of numerous tech giants like Alibaba. Despite its modern advancements, Hangzhou maintains a harmonious blend of old and new, offering visitors an enchanting mix of traditional heritage sites alongside contemporary amenities and attractions.
Famed for its scenic beauty that blends naturally with many famous historical and cultural sites, West Lake offers an ethereal experience of mirror-like waters and mist-enveloped hills. This UNESCO World Heritage site is central to Hangzhou’s fame and identity.
One of China’s largest and most visited Buddhist temples, Lingyin Temple, dating back to 328 AD, is a spiritual refuge featuring majestic architecture and numerous rock carvings, including the famous Laughing Buddha.
A bustling historical street, HeFang Street invites visitors to stroll through a snapshot of ancient China, full of traditional crafts, tea houses, and medicine shops, lined with well-preserved buildings from the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
Originally built in 975 AD, the rebuilt Leifeng Pagoda offers breathtaking views of West Lake and Hangzhou city. Its modern, underground museum provides a peek into the pagoda’s past through preserved relics and ancient artifacts.
The first and only wetland park in China, Xixi offers a unique blend of natural landscapes and cultural heritage, featuring verdant marshlands, tranquil waterways, and traditional villages perfect for ecotourism.
An amusement park designed to replicate the Song Dynasty era, this attraction offers cultural performances, crafts, and games reflecting the customs and lifestyle of a pivotal period in Chinese history.
Named after the famous poet Bai Juyi who once governed Hangzhou, the Bai Causeway stretches across West Lake, providing a scenic walk that features historical sites, lush gardens, and serene lake views.
The largest silk museum in the world, this museum details the history of silk production and trade in China, which plays a critical role in Chinese culture and economics, and showcases spectacular ancient textiles.
Laid out over a vast area, Hangzhou Botanical Garden not only offers a stunning array of plant species and peaceful landscapes but also serves as a research and conservation center.
Located near West Lake, this museum houses more than 100,000 items that depict the rich tapestry of Zhejiang’s history, including ancient ceramics, jade, calligraphy, and paintings.