Why go
Hangzhou is built around its lake the way Paris is built around its river. A classic day: rent a shared bike at dawn and ride the Su Causeway, take a wooden boat to the islands at dusk, and finish with tea at a lakeside pavilion.
The tea hills are the second act. Longjing (Dragon Well) village is a short bus ride away — the flat valley floor is planted with the most famous green tea in China.
- West Lake — cycle or walk the full loop, or take a boat at sunset
- Longjing tea village — watch leaves being wok-fried by hand
- Lingyin Temple and the Feilai Peak carvings
- A dinner of Longjing shrimp and West Lake fish
Where to go
Day one: West Lake loop by bike, Leifeng Pagoda for the classic view, and sunset from the Broken Bridge. Day two: Longjing village tea tasting, Lingyin Temple, and a stroll on the restored Southern Song imperial street.
What to eat
Hangzhou cuisine is the refined counterpoint to Sichuan: Longjing shrimp (tea-leaf-infused), West Lake fish in sweet vinegar, and Dongpo pork. The lakeside restaurant area near the Qian Wang temple is the most atmospheric for dinner.
Getting there
- High-speed rail from Shanghai Hongqiao in 45–60 min
- Role
- Capital of Zhejiang
- West Lake
- UNESCO World Heritage
- To Shanghai
- 45 min by rail
