Famous for its beautiful scenery, Hangzhou has been appointed by the State Department as a key national tourism city in China. Located on the Qiangtang River, this region has always been prosperous and some traditional sayings even refer to it as the "Heaven in the world". Hangzhou boasts an abundance of tourism resources, and while a chance to see the spectacular West Lake is reason enough to pack your suitcase for Hangzhou, this picturesque city also includes two national scenic interest districts, five national parks, two national zoological districts and one national tourism resort district. Furthermore Hangzhou’s long history also makes it one of the sources of traditional Chinese culture, with prolific cultural and historical resorts that include sites of Liangzhu, Wuyue and South Song culture.

Hangzhou airport rarely has direct flights from international destinations. For this reason, foreign travelers are advised to fly into nearby Shanghai and then take the train or freeway to Hangzhou which is about 1.5 - 2 hours away.

Hangzhou is as safe as it is beautiful. As with anywhere in the world, there are no guarantees when travelling, but generally speaking the Hangzhou people are friendly and full of hospitality. Be aware that bargaining is a fundamental way of life in China and you should be prepared to exercise your bargaining skills for any item or service without a price tag, and even some that do! With this in mind you should feel completely comfortable and relaxed when exploring this magnificent city.

A visit to Hangzhou without seeing West Lake would be like a trip to Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower. Read all about the beautiful West Lake in the Tourist Attraction section of this website. Apart from West Lake however, there are several other experiences in Hangzhou that should not be missed if time permits. A boat ride through the Xixi wetlands, a stroll down Qinghefang Historical Street and visits to the picturesque Lingyin Temple and Six Harmonies Pagoda should be on your “must do” list.

Hangzhou experiences four distinct seasons, ranging from chilly winters to hot sticky summers. For this reason, visiting in the autumn and spring months will be much more comfortable. While the city boasts a beautiful array of vegetative colours all year round, Spring sees the humidity at its lowest as the flora explodes and bathes the city in a brilliant green. Towards the end of September, the bronzed Autumn leaves, clear skies and moderate temperatures provide the perfect setting to revel in the beauty of the full moon during the Mid-Autumn Festival.