Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH)
Hangzhou, China
Overview
Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH) serves one of China's most-visited cities — home of West Lake and the tech capital that hosts Alibaba — and it has grown into a major hub in its own right, anchored by the vast Terminal 4 that opened in 2022. T4 handles the bulk of traffic in a strikingly modern building, with the older terminals in supporting roles; the complex is large, so treat gate walks and inter-terminal moves with respect and follow the (bilingual) signage rather than assuming everything is close.
The airport connects directly to the city's metro network, which is the calm way in: the line from the airport links into Hangzhou's system for the roughly 27 km run toward the center, taking about 45–60 minutes depending on your final stop, immune to the expressway traffic that can stretch a taxi ride unpredictably. Taxis and Didi (China's ride-hailing app) are plentiful; long-distance coaches also link the airport directly to neighboring cities, and Hangzhou's high-speed rail stations open onward routes across eastern China.
The practical challenges for foreign visitors are China-generic rather than Hangzhou-specific. Payment is overwhelmingly mobile — set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with an international card before you fly, because cash is accepted grudgingly and foreign cards rarely work directly. Airport Wi-Fi requires registration (kiosks handle foreign passports), and the usual Chinese internet restrictions apply the moment you connect, so arrange a VPN or international roaming beforehand if you need your usual apps. On the plus side, China's visa-free transit policies (240-hour transit for many nationalities, subject to current rules) make Hangzhou a legitimate stopover — check the latest conditions for your passport before counting on it.
Terminals
Terminal 4 (opened 2022) is the flagship and handles most flights in a vast, modern building; older terminals play supporting roles, all connected within one complex. Distances are the thing to respect — allow real time for gate walks and any terminal transfer, and follow the bilingual signage. Check which terminal your airline uses on departure day, as allocations have shifted as T4 absorbed more traffic.
Transport to city center
The metro connection from the airport into Hangzhou's network is the dependable choice — about 45–60 minutes to central stops, traffic-proof, with fares paid via Alipay/WeChat transit codes or single-journey tickets. Taxis queue at marked ranks (have your destination written in Chinese characters), and Didi works well if your payment is set up. Long-distance airport coaches run directly to nearby cities including Shaoxing and Yiwu. For onward travel across China, transfer in town to Hangzhou East railway station — one of the country's biggest high-speed rail hubs.
Lounges
Multiple lounges across the complex, concentrated in Terminal 4: airline lounges for Chinese carriers plus pay-per-use and Priority Pass options. Quality in T4 is good by regional standards. The terminals are large enough that the nearest lounge to your gate is worth checking rather than assuming.
Travel tips
Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with your international card before leaving home — it converts every payment problem in China into a solved one, from metro fares to water bottles. Keep your hotel name and address saved in Chinese characters for taxi drivers. If your plans include Shanghai, compare the direct airport coaches and high-speed rail from Hangzhou East — the train is frequently faster door-to-door than a short connecting flight. Verify current visa-free transit conditions for your passport before relying on them; the rules are generous but change.
Airport Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi requires registration — kiosks in the terminal issue access codes against a passport scan for foreign travelers. Note that standard Chinese internet restrictions apply on any local network; arrange international roaming, an eSIM with roaming routing, or a VPN before travel if you need blocked services.
Security and arrival
Chinese security is thorough and unhurried: power banks are checked (must be carried in cabin baggage, capacity-marked), liquids rules are enforced strictly, and departure formalities include fingerprinting/photo for many foreign nationals — build this into your timing and arrive 2.5–3 hours before international flights. If using China's visa-free transit policy, carry printed proof of your onward ticket and confirm the current rules for your nationality before flying. Immigration queues at arrival peak when several international flights land together.
Distance to city
About 27 km east of central Hangzhou — roughly 45–60 minutes by metro into the network, or a similar-to-longer taxi ride depending on expressway traffic.
Information verification
Practical airport information reviewed 2026-08-25.