Hangzhou Travel Guide 2025 — Itineraries, Hotels & Insider Tips
- Arron Goh
- Aug 15
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 16
Why We Love Hangzhou
Hangzhou is often called “Heaven on Earth” — and after visiting, we understand why. From the calm beauty of West Lake to centuries-old temples tucked in the hills, Hangzhou offers a mix of natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant local life.
This page is your one-stop hub for our Hangzhou itineraries, hotel recommendations, must-visit attractions, and essential tips.
Quick Links
Hangzhou At a Glance
Best Time to Visit: March–May & September–November for mild weather and fewer crowds.
Currency: Chinese Yuan (CNY)
Getting Around: We found using the bus & metro was the best mode of transport in Hangzhou!
Language: Mandarin; English signage in major tourist spots.
Mini Destination List
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick list of our favorite Hangzhou spots:
Qianjiang Century Park (钱江世纪公园) - Famous & beautiful park in Hangzhou.
City Balcony (城市阳台) - Best place to view the Hangzhou New City Light Show.
Lingyin Temple (灵隐寺) – One of the most famous Buddhist temples in China.
Taxi Temple (法喜寺) – Known for prayer rituals and bright red wishing ribbons.
Ling Shun Shi (灵顺寺) – The “God of Wealth” temple, perfect for making wishes.
West Lake (西湖) – The city’s crown jewel; take a boat ride or stroll the shoreline.
Wulin Night Market (武林夜市) – Local snacks and street food heaven.
Nan Song Yu Jie (南宋御街) – Ancient street lined with shops and local delicacies.
Da Jing Xiang (大井巷) – Narrow alley with preserved historic charm.
He Fang Jie (河坊街) – Bustling pedestrian street full of souvenirs and snacks.
📍 For the full experience, see our Hangzhou + Suzhou + Shanghai 8D7N Itinerary.
Where We Stayed in Hangzhou
Ji Hotel (Hangzhou ShenTangQiao Branch) - An affordable hotel with family rooms available, the 6 of us split into 2x 3pax bedrooms to accomodate us for 2 nights! Our 3-pax room only costed us around RM4xx per night, very affordable! It's also located very nearby Shentangqiao Metro Station.
📍 No. 8, Wensan Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
🔗 Booking Link: https://www.trip.com/t/Qcz8LRtHWQ2
Essential Tips
Stay Connected: Our Hong Kong-based eSIM worked for Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube without a separate VPN. TikTok may be unstable at times. → Get Your eSIM Here
Get an Early Start: Temples can get crowded after 8am.
Cashless Payments: Alipay and WeChat Pay are essential.
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