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Today's Hangzhou weather forcast

Hangzhou Seasons

Hangzhou belongs to the subtropical monsoon climate, with four distinct seasons and warm and mild weather.

Spring starts in March; April and May are the best seasons for visiting with the average temperature between 9-15C.

Summer is hot and humid. Hangzhou receives an average annual rainfall of 1450 mm. In mid-summer, it suffers typhoon storms sometimes.

Autumn is cool, pleasant and comfortable with bright sunny sky and it is the best season of the whole year.

Winter is clear but cold with some snow and sometimes it is severely cold with strong north wind.

Top Hangzhou Attractions

• 1West Lake - China's most beautiful lake, surrounded by mountains soaring into the clouds.

• 2Lingyin Temple - Quiet and mysterious, the temple is Sheltered by forested hills on three sides.

• 3Ancient Town of Wuzhen - The ancient town has stood on the river bank for nearly 2,000 years.

• 4Mt. Putuoshan - A Mecca for Chinese tourists for its status, as one of the five holy mountains and one of the four Buddhist shrines in China...

Hangzhou History

Qin Dynasty

Hangzhou is an ancient city with a history of 2,200 years. Here is a timeline in brief.

Emperor Qin Shi Huang, uniter of China a builder of the Great Wall himself, visits Hangzhou and declares the county a part of his empire.

Sui Dynasty

The Grand Canal, originating in Beijing, is extended to Hangzhou, thus linking the city to the most profitable trading route in China. Hangzhou becomes increasingly powerful and prosperous.

Tang Dynasty

Hangzhou's population increases as well as its regional power, serves as the capital for the Wuyue kingdom in the late tenth century.

Southern Song Dynasty

These years saw Hangzhou's golden age of prosperity as it became the capital city of the Southern Song Dynasty. Local industry flourished and worship of Taoism and Buddhism peaked. Many of the temples seen today were built during this period.

Yuan Dynasty

Mongols rule China and Marco Polo visited Hangzhou in 1290. He was so overwhelmed by the beauty of the West Lake, that he transcribed, and thus popularized, a famous Chinese saying "Shang you tiantang, xia you Suhang," which means in heaven there is paradise, on earth there is Su[zhou] and Hang[zhou]. Chinese now like to call Hangzhou "Paradise on Earth."

Ming-Qing Dynasties

Hangzhou continued to grow and prosper from its local industries, especially silk weaving, and became the silk center for all of China.

Recent History

After the empire crumbled, Hangzhou lost economic status to Shanghai with its foreign stakes in the 1920s. Internal warfare cost Hangzhou hundreds of thousands of people and whole sections of the city were destroyed. Since the opening of China in rhe 20th century, Hangzhou has been on the rebound. Increasing foreign investment and a cluster of some of China's most successful private enterprises have made Hangzhou, once again, one of the most prosperous cities in China.

Hangzhou Food

Hangzhou Dishes

West Lake Fish in Sweet Sour Source - Boiled for three minutes and then sugar and vinegar sauce is poured over it. The fish tastes delicious with a taste similar to crab.

Dongpo Pork - Or "braised pork". It is cooked by braising fine-skinned and thin pieces of fat streaked pork with famous Shaoxing wine in a sealed pot. When the dish is ready, the pork will be moist and red, the sauce will be thick and tasty.

Shrimp and Fried Eel - This dish is prepared with the shelled fresh water shrimps and the well-known Longjing Tea (Dragon-Well Green Tea) leaves. It is beautiful in color has special tastes.

Featured Hangzhou Restaurants

Louwailou Restaurant

Or Tower Beyond Tower, it is the most famous restaurant located in Solitary Hill right at the heart of West Lake. It boasts a history of over 100 years of existence, and the most authentic restaurant in Hangzhou.

Add 30, Gushan Road, Hangzhou

Zhiweiguan Restaurant

It is now the biggest and the most modern restaurant in Hangzhou. It has four stories of fine dining and top-of-the-line recreation facilities.

Add No.83, Renhe Road, Hangzhou (Head Office)

Zhangsheng Ji

Specializes in bamboo duck.

Add 33, Shuangling Road, Hangzhou

Hangzhou Entertainment

Shopping

You can buy anything you want in Hangzhou, ranging from local specialties such as silk, tea to any modern offerings...

Excellent Silks - Hangzhou is well known for producing excellent silks, including satins. The best place for purchasing silk in Hangzhou is Hangzhou Silk City.

Hangzhou Longjing Tea - Or Dragon Well Tea, not only famous for its unique green color, fragrant aroma, sweet taste, and flat appearance, but also regarded as a health elixir.

Nightlife

Tea Houses - Hu Pan Ju (Lakeside Teahouse), a place for friends to hang out and drink tea and for visitors to taste the authentic Longjing tea and take in the breathtaking scenery of the [West Lake] (/china-guides/china-attractions/west-lake-hangzhou/).

Clubs & Pubs - Famous people in Hangzhou often assemble at Blue Mountain Coffee House. Various kinds of coffee with unique fragrances captivate the guests from all over the city.

Hangzhou Map

Hangzhou City Map

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Hangzhou Attraction Map

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Hangzhou Transportation

Get In

The transportation to Hangzhou is very convenient. Public transport within Hangzhou city is primarily in the form of an extensive public bus network.

Air - Hangzhou is serviced by the Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport which has direct flights to Japan, Thailand, Korea, and Singapore, regional routes to Hong Kong and Macau, as well as numerous domestic routes. There are regular shuttle buses from the airport to downtown.

Railway - Hangzhou Railway Station serves the city centre with direct trains departing for Shanghai and most other major cities, like Beijing, Xian in China. Another less modern Hangzhou East Railway Station has many through trains and local trains.

Bus -Hangzhou has 4 bus stations (N, E, W, and S). The convenient highway network can lead to Qingdao in Shandong Province to the north, Shenzhen in Guangdong Province to the south, Yichang in Hubei Province to the West, and Zhoushan to the East.

Get Around

Bus - Public transport within Hangzhou city is primarily in the form of an extensive public bus network.

Taxi - Taxis are also very common. The city's taxi service is rated amongst the top in the country. You can get to most places for RMB 15 to 30; flag-fall is RMB 10.

Bicycle - Bikes were traditionally very popular and are still popular with the less well-off residents, though many now use electric bicycles or motorcycles.

West Lake - It is regarded as China's most beautiful lake, which was compared to Xizi, the most beautiful woman in ancient China. For centuries, West Lake has been working its charm on all those who gaze upon it.

Lingyin Temple -Be sheltered by forested hills on three sides, it is really a sanctuary. Notable also as one of the ten most famous Buddhist temples of China, it collects many Buddhism treasures.

Ancient Town of Wuzhen - The ancient town has stood on the river bank for nearly 2,000 years, where old traditions are still very much. It is common to see old women in indigo-blue gowns leisurely operating spinning wheels.

Feilaifeng Peak - Standing next to Lingyin Temple, it is a pure limestone mountain scattered with marvelous caves and ancient statues. The color of the stones is also queer, green touched with purple, shining and slippery to the full tastes of visitors.

Hangzhou Highlights List

Natural Scene

• West Lake
• Mt. Putuoshan
• Lake Qiandaohu
• Feilaifeng Peak
• Solitary Hill
• Red Carp Pond
• Twin Peaks Piercing the Clouds
• Qiantang River
• Hupao Spring
• Grand Canal

Historical Site

• Lingyin Temple
• Ancient Town of Wuzhen
• Liuhe Pagoda
• Hefang Street
• Tomb of General Yue Fei

Cultural Site

• Hangzhou Botanical Garden
• National Tea Museum
• China National Silk Museum
• Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Orchid Pavilion

Day Entertainment & Sports

• Jian Lake Golf Culb

Shopping & Leisure

• Hefang Street

Hangzhou Highlights

Silk attraction highlights

"A silkworm spins all its silk till its death and a candle won't stop its tears until it is fully burnt." This Tang poem accurately describes the property of the silkworm. Silk, a symbol of China, can now be found everywhere in the world.

• China National Silk Museum
• Bayunxiang Silk Clothing Shop

Chinese Tea attraction highlights

China is the homeland of tea. At present, more than forty countries in the world grow tea with Asian countries producing 90% of the world's total output. All tea trees in other countries have their origin directly or indirectly in China.

• National Tea Museum

city highlights

• Huangshan
• Hangzhou

Chinese Private Gardens attraction highlights

In old days private garden in China were owned by bureaucrats, landlords, rich merchants, and the scholar-gentry. During the Ming and Qing dynasties private gardens were found all over China. Suzhou Gardens are the most famous private gardens. Hence the saying, "The lower Yangtze valley is unmatched for its gardens, whereas of all the cities in the lower Yangtze valley the gardens in Suzhou.

• Humble Administrator's Garden
• Liuyuan Garden
• Liyuan Garden
• Shizilin Garden
• Yuyuan Garden
• Master-of-Nets Garden
• Heyuan Garden
• Geyuan Garden
• Guyi Garden
• Canglang Pavilion

city highlights

• Hangzhou
• Suzhou
• Yangzhou

Chinese Fan

The first fan probably came into being quite accidentally: A primitive man, irritated by flies and mosquitoes, might have picked a big leaf off some nearby plant and fanned the annoying pests away. Much to his delight, he found this fly-driver could also bring him coolness. This lucky man, hence, became the inventor of this popular accessory.

Grand Canal attraction highlights

Running from Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province in the south to Beijing in the north of China and connecting different river systems, the Grand Canal contributed greatly to ensure that the Chinese primary economy thrived in past dynasties. Now more than 2000 years old, some parts of the canal are still in use, mainly functioning as a water-diversion conduit.

• Ancient Town of Wuzhen
• Grand Canal

Chinese Umbrella

China is believed to be the home to umbrellas, which are still widely used in the country. The earliest umbrellas are known to have existed at least two thousand years ago, first made of silk and later popularly paper.

Hangzhou FAQ & Travelers's Tips

  Weather

1. Hangzhou's weather and something we need to know

  Food

1. What's the specialty of Hangzhou cuisine?
2. What are some famous restaurants in Hangzhou?

  Shopping

1. What are the best souvenirs in Hangzhou?

  Customs

1. What are some local festivals in Hangzhou?

• Hangzhou's weather and something we need to know

  Hangzhou's weather is always warm and humid, with a clear division of four seasons.

  The peak season usually starts in March and lasts for a month, due to a flower-blooming season, with a temperature of 9 to 15 C.

  From late June to early July, it is the plum rain season. Rainfalls are very unpredictable. Typhoon takes places in the early August with pouring rains, so during this period of time, an umbrella is always needed when you prepare to go out.

  The winter in Hangzhou is just like other cities' in south China, with piercing cold. Warm clothes are strongly suggested.

  If you want to take a walk alongside the West Lake, please wear some warm clothes too, to avoid from getting a clod which will affect your journey.

  Each season in Hangzhou has its own splendid view and specialty, which are all worth visiting.

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• What's the specialty of Hangzhou cuisine?

  Hangzhou cuisine does have it's own characteristics: smells nice, tastes good and looks pleasant. Fresh tastes is the most well-known specialty of Hangzhou cuisine.

  The most famous dishes are Fish Maw with Chinese Broccoli, Dongpo Pork, West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy, etc.

  You can not underestimate Hangzhou's snacks. Thousands years of history provides a peculiarity of Hangzhou snacks. Congbaohui, Cat Ears (Do not panic. It's not really cat's ears. It's dough in a cat's ear's shape and is cooked in different ways), Noodles with Preserved Vegetable and Sliced Pork and Bamboo Shoots in Soup, Crisp Cakes, etc.

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• What are some famous restaurants in Hangzhou?

  Louwailou Restaurant

  Built in the 1840s by a Qing Dynasty Noble, Louwailou Restaurant is said to be the oldest restaurant in China. Many foreign heads have dined there when visiting this city.

  The Restaurant features authentic Hangzhou cuisine. Tasty food served including West Lake Carp in Sweet and Sour Sauce, Beggar's Chicken as well as Dragon Well Tea served with snacks.

  Address: No 30 Gushan Road
  Tel: (0571) 8796 9023
  Opening Hours: Open daily 11:30am - 2:30pm and 4:30pm - 8:30pm

  Tianwaitian Restaurant

  This is also a very old restaurant first opened in 1910. its nice location close to the Lingyin Temple, tasty seafood and warm service make the restaurant very popular eating place for tourist.

  Address: No. 2 Tianzhu Road, outside the Peak Flown from Afar Park entrance
  Tel: (0571) 8796 0599
  Opening hours: Open Daily 7am - 9pm
  

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• What are the best souvenirs to best in Hangzhou?

  Silk

  Hangzhou is well known for producing excellent silks, including satins.

  The best place for purchasing silk in Hangzhou is at Hangzhou Silk City, the biggest silk wholesale and retail market in China with more than 600 silk enterprises dealing in a wide variety of pure silk fabrics, garments, handicraft articles, scarves, and ties.

  It is located at No.253 Xinhua Road (at the intersection of Fengqi Road, Tiyuchang Road, and Xinhua Road). You can get to the site by bus No.11 and 28.

  Tea

  Hangzhou Longjing Tea (Dragon Well Tea) is considered China's best. It is not only famous for its unique green color, fragrant aroma, sweet taste, and flat appearance, but is also regarded as a health elixir.

  The tea falls into different grades; the best is the first pick of a year, normally in late March or early April.

  Besides its good quality, Longjing Tea also enjoys a famous long history. If you are interested in tea culture and history, Meijiawu Village in West Lake District is the ideal spot where you can have a cup of tea, watch a tea ceremony, and select tea under professional guidance.

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• What are some local festivals in Hangzhou?

  There are some remarkable festivals in Hangzhou, maybe you will experience one of them if you are lucky enough:
  

  • Dragon Well Tea Festival (April-May)
    The annual Dragon Well Tea Festival, hosted by Dragon Well Village, attracts people from everywhere to take part in activities such as picking tea, drinking tea, enjoying a tea ceremony, and walking in the countryside.
    
    
  • West Lake Lotus Festival (July-August)
    The main activities of this festival include viewing the beautiful lotus, picking lotus seed pods, shelling lotus seed, watching folk drama performances, and visiting the lotus exhibition. The host area is one of the scenic spots of West Lake-Qu Yuan Feng He.
    
    
  • West Lake Osmanthus Festival (September-October)
    Since osmanthus is the city flower of Hangzhou, the government has decreed that each year during September when osmanthus blooms, Hangzhou citizens host the West Lake Osmanthus Festival.
    
    The sites of the celebration are usually in Man Long Gui Yu Park, Man Jue Long Village, and Hangzhou Arboretum. Appreciating osmanthus and the food made of osmanthus, drinking tea, watching shows and painting exhibitions are the main activities during the festival.
    
    
  • China International Qiantang River Tidal Bore Festival (September-the 18th day of the eighth lunar month)
    During this tourist-friendly festival, one of the largest in China, visitors arrive to appreciate the great spectacle of the Qiantang River Bore. The bore is a unique natural phenomenon triggered by the pull of the moon.
    
    When the tides come in, a wave is produced so large that it surges several meters high. Every year this magnificent wonder draws thousands of tourists from all over the world.
    
    
  • West Lake International Fireworks Show (In the middle of October)
    This dazzling event in West Lake draws thousand of viewers to the fireworks site to witness the glittering and colorful skyline. Thousands of new fireworks products from different countries entertain enthusiastic visitors.
  
  
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