Hangzhou
144h & 240h Transit Guide — ChinaNeighbor
Why Transit Through Hangzhou?
Hangzhou is frequently called “the most beautiful city in China” — Marco Polo described it as the “most beautiful and elegant city in the world.” West Lake (西湖) is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of China’s most poetic landscapes. Hangzhou is also the birthplace of Longjing (Dragon Well) tea.
Key fact: With 240h transit from Shanghai, Hangzhou is the perfect first stop on your Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai regional cluster itinerary. It’s just 45 minutes by high-speed train from Shanghai Hongqiao.
144h Itinerary — 2 Days in Hangzhou
Day 1: West Lake
Morning — West Lake Walk (西湖) Start at Broken Lotus Tower (残雪塔) and walk the 2.5 km Causeway in the morning mist. The lake’s pagodas, bridges, and islands are best seen on foot or by bike. Rent a bike at the North Mountain Road entrance (¥20/hour).
Midday — Lingyin Temple & Feilai Feng Hangzhou’s most famous Buddhist temple complex. The Feilai Feng rock carvings behind the temple are over 1,000 years old. Take Metro Line 1 to Lingyin Station.
Afternoon — Tea Fields of Longjing (龙井) A short bus or taxi ride west to the Dragon Well tea village. Walk through terraced tea fields, visit a tea house, and taste the freshest Longjing tea (¥200-500 per 50g for the best grades).
Evening — Hefang Street (河坊街) Hangzhou’s most famous pedestrian food street. Try “Dongpo Pork” (Dōngpō ròu) — braised pork belly named after poet Su Dongpo — and West Lake wine (Xi Hu Jiu).
Day 2: Modern Hangzhou
Morning — Grand Canal (京杭大运河) The world’s longest artificial river, built during the Sui dynasty. Take a boat from Wulin Gate to Xiangji Temple — a 45-minute journey through 1,000 years of history.
Midday — Song Dynasty City & Songcheng A theme park recreating Song dynasty culture. The “Everlasting Sorrow” show is excellent. Take Metro Line 1 to Songcheng Road.
Afternoon — Xixi National Wetland Park A serene escape from the city — lotus flowers, water villages, and bird watching. Take Metro Line 19 to Xixi Wetland North.
Getting From the Airport
From Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport (HGH)
- Metro Line 1: Connects to city center — 40 min to East Lake (涌金门), ¥7
- Airport Bus: Routes to train station and city center — ¥20, 50-60 min
- Taxi: ~35 min to West Lake area, ¥100-130
Getting Around Hangzhou
Hangzhou Metro is modern and clean. West Lake area is best explored on foot or by bike.
240h Extended Route: From Shanghai
Hangzhou is ideally paired with a Shanghai transit:
- From Shanghai: G-train from Shanghai Hongqiao to Hangzhou East (¥73, 45 min)
- Back to Shanghai: Same route, trains every 15-30 minutes
Luggage Storage
| Location | Cost | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HGH Arrivals | ¥30-50/day | 24h |
| Hangzhou East Station | ¥30-50/day | 8:00-20:00 |
Practical Tips
- WeChat Pay: Essential
- Bike Sharing: Hangzhou has excellent docking bike infrastructure (Mobike, Hello)
- Best Season: Spring (March-May) for flowers, Fall (Sept-Nov) for foliage
Emergency Contacts
- Hangzhou Tourism Hotline: +86-571-12301
- Police: 110
- Ambulance: 120