Wulin Night Market Hangzhou (武林夜市): Is It Worth Visiting?
If you're looking for something casual to do at night in Hangzhou, Wulin Night Market (武林夜市) is an easy place to add to your itinerary.
Food stalls, snacks, drinks, handmade goods, little accessories and plenty of people walking around — it's basically the kind of place you come to after dinner when you're not ready to head back to the hotel yet.
We stopped by during our Hangzhou trip and I think it's worth visiting if you're already around central Hangzhou.
What Is Wulin Night Market?
Wulin Night Market 武林夜市 is one of Hangzhou's popular night-market areas around the Wulin commercial district.
Once evening arrives, the area becomes much more lively with stalls selling things like:
Street food and snacks
Drinks and desserts
Handmade items
Accessories
Small souvenirs
Creative goods
The Wulin area itself is also one of Hangzhou's major commercial districts, surrounded by shopping malls and other places to explore.
Recent Hangzhou reporting still describes Wulin Night Market as an active and busy night-market destination, with crowds gathering there after dark.
What Can You Eat at Wulin Night Market?
Personally, I wouldn't come here expecting one specific legendary Hangzhou dish.
The fun is more about:
walking → seeing something interesting → buying it → continue walking. 😂
You'll find a mix of local snacks and the usual popular Chinese night-market food.
Depending on when you visit, stalls can change, so I'd just walk through first before buying everything at the first stall you see.
There's usually more food coming.
The only thing I would recommend you have to try is Pan Laoban (Fried Chicken). Recommended by Nicholas Tse (谢霆锋), it's really really good.
Line was long, so go earlier!
It's Not Only Food
This is something I like about Chinese night markets.
You're not only coming here to eat.
There are also stalls selling:
jewellery
handmade crafts
small gifts
clothes and accessories
creative products
and random things you didn't know you wanted until you saw them. 😂
The wider Wulin district also regularly hosts temporary markets and events. For example, Hangzhou has continued running evening markets around Wulin Square featuring food, handicrafts and other activities in 2026.
What Time Should You Visit Wulin Night Market?
I'd come after:
6:00 PM
and ideally around:
7:00–9:00 PM
when the area feels properly alive.
Exact stall operating times can vary by vendor, season and special events, so I wouldn't plan your entire evening around one exact closing time.
Think of it as an evening destination rather than somewhere you need to arrive at a very specific hour.
How Long Do You Need?
Around:
1–2 hours
is plenty for most people.
Walk through the market.
Try some food.
Look around the stalls.
Maybe shop a little.
Then continue somewhere else or head back to your hotel.
I wouldn't personally dedicate an entire night to Wulin Night Market unless you really love markets and shopping.
Planning a Hangzhou Trip?
Continue exploring:
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