Hangzhou
China
- Safety rating
- 8.5/10
- Best time to visit
- Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) showcase West Lake at its most beautiful with mild weather.
- Population
- 12.2M
Overview
Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang, has enchanted poets for centuries with the serene beauty of West Lake, its willow-lined causeways and misty pagodas. A historic tea-growing region and now home to tech giant Alibaba, it blends classical Chinese landscapes with modern prosperity. Pavilions, temples, and gardens make it a tranquil escape.
Top attractions
Wander West Lake's causeways, the Lingyin Temple, Leifeng Pagoda, and the tea villages of Longjing.
Getting around
A clean metro, lakeside bike-share, buses, and Didi make exploration easy, and the lake itself is best enjoyed on foot.