Hangzhou

Hangzhou, the capital city of Zhejiang Province, formerly known as Lin’an and Qiantang, is one of the seven ancient capitals of China and is famously hailed as “Paradise on Earth”. Perfectly integrating poetic landscapes, centuries-old Song-style charm, Zen culture, canal vitality and modern urban dynamism, it is a world-renowned cultural city and a hub of digital economy. As a top-tier leisure tourist destination in the Jiangnan region, Hangzhou features picturesque scenery, profound heritage and delicate cuisine.

I. Top Must-Visit Attractions

1. West Lake Scenic Area (World Cultural Heritage · 5A-Level Scenic Spot)

The soul of Hangzhou, this fully open and free scenic area is the only lake-based World Cultural Heritage site in China. Famous for the classic “Ten Scenes of West Lake”, it presents picturesque views all year round.

Broken Bridge with Remaining Snow: The iconic landmark of West Lake and the birthplace of the Legend of the White Snake. The bridge covered with snow in winter creates a hazy and stunning poetic scene.

Spring Dawn at Su Causeway: The core spring scenery of West Lake. Stretching across the lake, the long causeway is lined with blooming peach blossoms and green willows, offering an amazing experience for walking or cycling.

Three Pools Mirroring the Moon: A classic scenic spot on the West Lake, featured on the back of China’s one-yuan banknote. Visitors need to take a cruise to reach the island, and the moonlit night view is extremely dreamy.

Leifeng Pagoda at Sunset: Climb the pagoda to overlook the panoramic view of West Lake. The sunset glow spreads over the lake at dusk, creating breathtaking scenery.

2. Lingyin Temple & Flying Peak (Millennium Zen Holy Land)

One of the top ten ancient Zen temples in China and the place where the legendary monk Jigong practiced Buddhism. Boasting prosperous incense for thousands of years, it is a perfect place for prayer and spiritual relaxation in Hangzhou. Flying Peak preserves 328 exquisite cliff carvings dating from the Five Dynasties to the Song and Yuan dynasties, with high historical and artistic value. The ancient temple features majestic halls and lush ancient trees, delivering a profound Zen atmosphere and authentic Jiangnan Buddhist culture.

3. Xixi National Wetland Park (Urban Green Lung · 5A-Level Scenic Spot)

A rare natural urban wetland in China and a filming location of the movie If You Are the One. It is praised for the poetic scenery of “winding streams and misty reeds”. With crisscrossing waterways and dense reed marshes, the wetland is best explored by rowing boat. It boasts distinct scenery in four seasons: misty rain in spring, blooming lotus in summer, ripe persimmons in autumn and snow-covered reeds in winter, full of natural wild charm.

4. Liangzhu Ancient City Ruins Park (World Cultural Heritage)

A sacred site that proves the 5,000-year history of Chinese civilization, open to visitors with free reservation. The well-preserved relics include the ancient palace area, giant water conservancy system and tombs. Combined with the jade cultural exhibitions in Liangzhu Museum, the park fully demonstrates the splendid Neolithic Liangzhu civilization, making it a core destination for cultural research and tourism.

5. Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal (Hangzhou Section)

As a living World Cultural Heritage, the millennia-old Grand Canal runs through Hangzhou. Gongchen Bridge, the iconic ancient canal bridge, witnesses the rise and fall of ancient water transportation. Xiaohe Straight Street retains the original Jiangnan style with white-walled houses, black tiles and ancient bridges, preserving the authentic urban vitality of old Hangzhou. A night cruise along the canal offers a wonderful experience of the ancient canal’s gentle charm.

6. Tangqi Ancient Town (Millennium Water Town by the Canal)

A well-preserved Ming and Qing ancient town located by the Grand Canal, away from urban noise. It retains more than 200 ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties. The magnificent Guangji Bridge spans the canal, and the old street is lined with time-honored stores featuring traditional pastries and preserves. It is an ideal spot to experience the original ecological style of canal water towns.

II. Unique Urban Culture

1. West Lake Landscape Culture

The core cultural essence of Hangzhou, integrating landscape gardens, Zen Buddhism, celebrity stories, silk art and tea culture. Elegant and gentle, it represents the ultimate aesthetic of Wu-Yue culture and Jiangnan style, praised by countless literati throughout history.

2. Southern Song Dynasty Imperial Culture

As the capital Lin’an of the Southern Song Dynasty, Hangzhou was once one of the most prosperous cities in the world. Historical relics such as Southern Song Imperial Street and Deshou Palace Ruins inherit the royal rituals, folk customs and catering culture of the Southern Song Dynasty, embedding elegant Song-style charm into the whole city.

3. Wu-Yue Cultural Heritage

The Wu-Yue Kingdom established its capital in Hangzhou during the Five Dynasties. The governance philosophy of “protecting the territory and comforting the people” laid the city’s inclusive, gentle, business-friendly and scholarly temperament. Classic landmarks including Leifeng Pagoda and Lingyin Temple originated from the Wu-Yue period.

4. Longjing Tea Culture

Hangzhou is the core origin of West Lake Longjing Tea. Rolling tea mountains stretch across Longjing Village and Meijiawu Village. The time-honored tea culture embodies the Eastern aesthetics of “integration of Zen and tea”. Tourists can experience tea picking, tea making and tea tasting to feel the unique poetic charm of Hangzhou.

5. Intangible Cultural Heritage & Folk Culture

Hangzhou boasts numerous national and provincial intangible cultural heritages, including West Lake silk umbrellas, Hangzhou fans, Zhe-style guqin music and traditional Hangzhou braised duck craftsmanship. Traditional handicrafts are integrated into daily life, inheriting the exquisite Jiangnan craftsmanship and profound ancient city heritage.

III. Local Special Cuisine

As the core representative of Zhejiang cuisine, Hangzhou cuisine featuresfreshness, elegance, original taste and light seasoning. Adopting seasonal Jiangnan ingredients, it is famous for its mild and refreshing flavor with unique local characteristics.

1. Signature Classic Hangzhou Dishes

West Lake Vinegar Fish: A century-old signature dish of Hangzhou cuisine. Cooked with fresh grass carp, it tastes sweet, sour and tender, serving as a symbolic delicacy of West Lake.

Dongpo Pork: A legendary Jiangnan dish with bright red glossy sauce. The pork is tender, soft, fatty but not greasy, with rich sauce aroma, popular for thousands of years.

Longjing Shrimp: A spring-limited delicacy. Fresh river shrimps are stir-fried with tender early-spring Longjing tea leaves, combining delicate tea fragrance and fresh bouncy shrimp meat.

Beggars’ Chicken: The whole chicken is wrapped in lotus leaves and baked with mud, resulting in tender, boneless meat with a refreshing lotus leaf aroma and unique flavor.

Dried Bamboo Shoot and Duck Soup: A nourishing Jiangnan specialty. Slow-cooked old duck with dried bamboo shoots creates a rich, fresh and mellow soup suitable for all seasons.

2. Local Street Snacks

Pian’erchuan Noodles: The favorite breakfast of local Hangzhou people. Noodles served with pickled vegetables, bamboo shoots and lean meat taste fresh, light and chewy with strong urban vitality.

Dingsheng Cake: Soft glutinous rice cake stuffed with red bean paste, sweet but not greasy. It symbolizes success and victory, being a classic Jiangnan souvenir.

Cong Baohui: A traditional old Hangzhou street snack. Scallions and fried dough sticks are wrapped in thin pancakes and pan-fried until crispy, retaining the classic taste of the old city.

West Lake Lotus Root Starch: Smooth and translucent, served with sweet osmanthus honey. It is a warm and sweet seasonal drink perfect for autumn and winter.

3. Famous Food Streets

Hefang Street & Southern Song Imperial Street: Gathered with time-honored brands such as Zhiweiguan, Louwailou and Hu Qing Yu Tang, offering one-stop tasting of authentic Hangzhou dishes and snacks.

Shenlihe Food Street: A local hidden night market with strong hustle and bustle and diverse delicacies.

Qingzhiwu Village: Adjacent to Lingyin Temple, this elegant and artistic village is home to numerous creative Hangzhou restaurants and farmhouse cuisines.

IV.City Summary

Hangzhou is a paradise on earth that embraces poetic landscapes, inherits millennial Song charm and preserves vibrant urban life. It features the gentle beauty of West Lake, the tranquil Zen of Lingyin Temple, the profound heritage of Liangzhu and the timeless vitality of the Grand Canal. Blending classical elegance with modern dynamism, and gathering delicate cuisine and unique Jiangnan style, Hangzhou presents stunning scenery and charming culture at every step, showcasing the quintessence of thousand-year-old Jiangnan charm.