Travel in Hangzhou

Hangzhou's two World Heritage Sites, West Lake and the Grand Canal, provide the city with plenty of tourist attractions.

The admission-free West Lake is one of the top 10 scenic spots in China and was among the first places to be designated as national key scenic sites, and West Lake is the only lake in China that is on the World Heritage List. The lake is divided into five parts by Lonely Mountain, Bai Causeway, Su Causeway and Yanggong Causeway. There are 10 famous scenic spots at West Lake, including Santan Yinyue Islet, and Three Pools Mirroring the Moon Islet, which is honored as the "First Scenic Spot of West Lake". The islet boasts quiet, beautiful scenery.

The Great Canal [Photo/ehangzhou.gov.cn]

The Great Canal heads north from Hangzhou. It is still a formidable shipping route, but people also go there to relax and see the sights. They are eager to sit in a boat that goes from Wulin Gate and passes under many old bridges. Listening to the lapping water and taking in the views of red lanterns coming to life along the river, visitors can experience all the pleasures and surprises a canal boat can offer.

The graceful Xixi Wetland, the immense Qiantang River, as well as crystal clear Qiandao Lake cannot be missed. And Fuchun River floats through verdant hills, as it has for thousands of years, to be part of scenes like a painting that shows the crisscrossing of three big rivers.

A leisurely stroll through Hefang Street, Southern Song Imperial Street, and through a maze of the drum tower, period houses and century-old stores gives visitors the illusion of time travel.

To get a taste of local life, one can also visit Longjing village to sip a cup of tea and be entertained by tea-picking tunes.