Attractions in Hangzhou | 杭州风光

One of China’s most enduringly popular holiday spots, Hángzhōu’s (杭州) dreamy West Lake panoramas and fabulously green hills can easily tempt you into long sojourns. Eulogised by poets and applauded by emperors, the lake has intoxicated the Chinese imagination for aeons. Kept spotlessly clean by armies of street sweepers and litter collectors, its scenic vistas draw you into a classical Chinese watercolor of willow-lined banks, mist-covered hills and the occasional shíkùmén (stone-gate house) and old lǐlòng (residential lane). Hangzhou is the capital of Zhejiang Province and the local political, economic and cultural center. As the southern terminus of the Grand Canal, the city is located on the lower reaches of the Qiantang River in southeast China, a superior position in the Yangtze Delta and only 112 mi (180 km) from Shanghai. The subtropical monsoon climate contributes to varied seasonal sceneries, making Hangzhou one of China's most popular travel destinations.

The West Lake is undoubtedly the most renowned landmark, noted for the scenic beauty that blends naturally with many famous historical and cultural sites. The "Ten West Lake Prospects" selected from the most frequently visited attractions around the lake give travelers a panoramic view of the city’s highlights. Take a stroll along the causeway by the lake; you’ll feel the peaceful ethos of the city and better understand its time-honored fame as 'Heaven on Earth'.

Attractions | 著名景点

West Lake (Xi Hu) | 西湖	Lingyin Temple | 灵隐寺	Six Harmonies Pagoda | 六和塔
Xixi National Wetland Park |西溪国家湿地公园	Wuzhen Water Town | 乌镇水乡	Qiandao Lake | 千岛湖

Hangzhou Weather & Best Time to Visit | 杭州天气

Hangzhou has a typical subtropical monsoon climate with a clear distinction among four seasons and abundant rainfall. Annual average temperature is 17.8℃ and average relative humidity is 70.3%. Summer is hot and humid, while winter is cold and dry. Spring and autumn is very comfortable and thus they are the tourism peak seasons.However, Hangzhou has different beauty in different season, and there are also many tourists visit Hangzhou in summer and winter.

Best Time to Visit Hangzhou
Hangzhou is suitable to be visited all year around! And the spring and autumn are considered to be the best and most popular time to visit it. Spring is warm and suitable to wander around West Lake and appreciate the green trees and red flowers. Summer is hot, however, it's the best time to watch lotus flower in West Lake. Autumn is cool and refreshing, great time to appreciate osmanthus flower and full moon in Mid-autumn Festival. In winter, many people are come to Hangzhou to see the plum blossom and snowy scenery in West Lake.

Hangzhou Transportation | 杭州交通

How to Get to Hangzhou
By Flight
Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport connects Hangzhou with over 100 cities in China including Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou, etc. and 40 international cities (regions) such as San Francisco, Amsterdam, Madrid, Sydney, Hong Kong, etc.

By Train
Hangzhou has 3 major used bullet train stations, including Hangzhou Railway Station, Hangzhou East Railway Station and Hangzhou South Railway Station. Visitors can easily ride a high speed train to get to/from Hangzhou to Beijing (4.5-6.5 hrs.), Shanghai (1-1.5 hrs.), Xian (7-8.5 hrs.), Guangzhou (6-7.5 hrs.), Suzhou (1.5-2.5 hrs.), Huangshan (1.5-2 hrs.), etc. Besides, visitors can also make efficient transfers from Hangzhou to other tourists cities in Zhejiang Province, like Shaoxing (15-25 mins.), Ningbo (1-1.5 hrs.), etc.

Getting Around Hangzhou
In Hangzhou downtown, it is very easy to travel around by metro, taxi and bike. Sightseeing boasts are preferred by many tourists when travelling to the West Lake, Xixi National Wetland Park, Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal and Qiantang River. Besides, independent travelers also like the vast city bus system.

From Hangzhou Airport to City
Usually, it takes 1 hour around by car to get from Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport to the Hangzhou downtown area. Visitors prefer to travel between these two places by metro line 1, line 7, taxi, airport shuttle bus or private car.

Applying for Visas

Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the expiry date of your visa and you’ll need at least one entire blank page in your passport for the visa. You may be required to show proof of hotel reservations and onward travel from China, as well as a bank statement showing you have $100 in your account for every day you plan to spend in China.

A standard 30-day single-entry visa can be issued from most Chinese embassies abroad in three to five working days. Express visas cost twice the usual fee. In some countries (eg the UK and the US) the visa service has been outsourced from the Chinese embassy to a Chinese Visa Application Service Centre, which levies an extra administration fee. In the case of the UK, a single-entry visa costs £30, but the standard administration charge levied by the centre is a further £36.
A standard 30-day visa is activated on the date you enter China, and must be used within three months of the date of issue. 60-day and 90-day tourist visas are reasonably easy to obtain in your home country but difficult elsewhere. To stay longer, you can extend your visa in China at least once, sometimes twice.
Visa applications require a completed application form (available at the embassy or downloaded from its website) and at least one photo (normally 51mm x 51mm). You normally pay for your visa when you collect it. A visa mailed to you will take up to three weeks. In the US and Canada, mailed visa applications have to go via a visa agent, at extra cost. In the US, many people use the China Visa Service Center, which offers prompt service. The procedure takes around 10 to 14 days.
Hong Kong is a good place to pick up a China visa. However, at the time of writing only Hong Kong residents were able to obtain them direct from the Visa Office of the People’s Republic of China. Single-entry visas processed here cost HK$200, double-entry visas HK$300, while six-month/one-year multiple-entry visas are HK$500. But China Travel Service (CTS) and many travel agencies in Hong Kong can get you a visa in two to three working days. Expect to pay HK$650 for a single-entry visa and HK$750 for a double-entry. Both American and UK passport holders must pay considerably more for their visas.
Be aware that political events can suddenly make visas more difficult to procure or renew.

Passports
Chinese law requires foreign visitors to carry their passport with them at all times; it is the most basic travel document and all hotels (and internet cafes) will insist on seeing it. You also need it to buy train tickets or to get into some tourist sights, particularly those which are free.
It’s a good idea to bring an ID card with your photo in case you lose your passport. Even better, make photocopies, or take digital photos of your passport – your embassy may need these before issuing a new one. You should also report the loss to the local Public Security Bureau (PSB).