7 days in Hangzhou 杭州
West Lake, tea terraces and the headquarters of Alipay.
By Charlie Simmon, Founder and editor · Reviewed 22 October 2026
The plan
One headline sight a day, with the evening left for food. Crossing a Chinese city takes longer than the map suggests; this plan does not pretend otherwise.
Day 1
West Lake and Su Causeway
Eat: Dongpo pork
Day 2
Lingyin Temple and Feilai Feng
Eat: West Lake vinegar fish
Day 3
Longjing tea fields
Eat: Longjing shrimp
Day 4
Leifeng Pagoda
Eat: Beggar’s chicken
Day 5
Xixi Wetland
Eat: Shengjianbao
Day 6
Grand Canal night cruise
Eat: Dongpo pork
Day 7
Slow morning, neighbourhood walk and a long lunch before departure
Eat: West Lake vinegar fish
Where to stay
Stay within a 10-minute walk of a metro station inside the inner ring. Hangzhou has a metro, so most journeys cost ¥2–10 and avoid traffic.
Getting there
Hangzhou East to Shanghai Hongqiao 45 min, to Huangshan 1h30 — a natural stop between Shanghai and the Yellow Mountains.
The main airport is Xiaoshan International (HGH).
When to go
The most comfortable months are March, April, May, October, November. Avoid Golden Week (1–7 October) and the Spring Festival travel period.
- January — not a peak month
- February — not a peak month
- March — recommended
- April — recommended
- May — recommended
- June — not a peak month
- July — not a peak month
- August — not a peak month
- September — not a peak month
- October — recommended
- November — recommended
- December — not a peak month
What it costs
Per person per day, excluding flights. Multiply by 7 for this trip.
| Tier | Daily | Sleeping | Eating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | ¥300–500 | Hostel dorm or simple guesthouse | Street breakfast, noodle shops |
| Mid-range | ¥800–1,500 | 3–4★ hotel near a metro | Sit-down restaurants, one splurge |
| Comfort | ¥2,500+ | 5★ or boutique courtyard hotel | Fine dining and tasting menus |
Questions people ask
Is 7 days enough for Hangzhou?
Yes. The city page budgets 2 nights, so 7 days leaves room for one headline sight a day plus a slower neighbourhood or food afternoon.
When is the best time to visit Hangzhou?
The most comfortable months are March, April, May, October, November. Avoid Golden Week (1–7 October) and the Spring Festival travel period unless your dates are fixed.
How do I get to Hangzhou?
Hangzhou East to Shanghai Hongqiao 45 min, to Huangshan 1h30 — a natural stop between Shanghai and the Yellow Mountains. The main airport is Xiaoshan International (HGH).
What should I budget for 7 days?
Excluding flights: budget ¥300–500, mid-range ¥800–1,500, comfort ¥2,500+ per person per day. Multiply the daily figure by 7; hotels drive the difference more than food.
Do I need a visa?
Visa policy is national, not city-level. Check your passport against the current visa-free and transit routes before booking.