Hangzhou for first-time visitors
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Hangzhou in five lines
Suits: a lake-and-tea break from Shanghai, gardens, walking, tea villages.
Days needed: 1 as a day trip, 2-3 to slow down.
Getting in: Xiaoshan Airport 萧山 Xiāoshān (HGH) east of the river, or the train from Shanghai: 45-60 min.
What costs what: West Lake Free (lake); boats ¥55-70. Lingyin entry: Free; reservation required.
Visa: 240-hour transit via HGH; see the stay-area note below.
Getting in: airports and stations
| From | How | Price | Time | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaoshan Airport (HGH) 杭州萧山国际机场 | Metro Line 19 to Hangzhou East | ¥6-9 | 35-45 min | |
| Airport shuttle bus to Wulin Square | ¥20 (Wulin Sq) / ¥28 (Hangzhou East) | 50-70 min | ||
| Taxi or Didi to West Lake | ¥120-150 / 45-60 min | |||
| Hangzhou East Station 杭州东站 | Routes not checked yet | |||
240-hour visa-free transit via Hangzhou
- Transit ports in Hangzhou
- Yes (HGH)
- Where you may stay
- Permitted areas of 24 regions; cross-province travel allowed
Sources disagree on whether a Hangzhou entry covers only Zhejiang or also Shanghai and Jiangsu. Treat Zhejiang as the safe limit until we confirm it. National rules: 240-hour transit.
Hangzhou overview
Hangzhou is the capital of Zhejiang and, for most visitors, the West Lake 西湖 Xīhú: a UNESCO cultural landscape (UNESCO 2011), ringed by hills, causeways and temples. The lake shore is open with no gate, and the boats are where you pay. Prices: Free (lake); boats ¥55-70. The water bus was listed at ¥70 (2021), so expect that fare to have moved.
The big change for 2026 is Lingyin 灵隐 Língyǐn, the temple and Feilaifeng grottoes west of the lake: since December 2025 the entry rule is: Free; reservation required; and a guide says slots are 1-7 days ahead. That makes it a book-ahead stop even though it costs nothing.
Xiaoshan Airport sits on the far side of the Qiantang River. Metro Line 19 is quickest to Hangzhou East station (¥6-9, 35-45 min); the shuttle bus to Wulin Square is ¥20 (Wulin Sq) / ¥28 (Hangzhou East), 50-70 min; a taxi to the lake is ¥120-150 / 45-60 min.
Hangzhou is Alipay's home city and transit reflects it. Paying on buses and the metro: Alipay QR (foreign card linked). Metro fares are ¥2-9.
| Fact | Value | Checked | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro payment for foreignersHangzhou metro and buses | Alipay QR (foreign card linked) | Hangzhou municipal government (English portal) | |
| Metro fare rangeHangzhou metro | ¥2-9 | Trip.comSecondary source | |
| Lingyin Temple admissionLingyin Temple / Feilai Peak | Free; reservation required | Hangzhou municipal government (English portal) | |
| Lingyin booking windowLingyin Temple | 1-7 days ahead | China for TravelersSecondary source |
Areas to know
Hubin, West Lake east shore 湖滨
Hefang and Qinghefang 河坊街 清河坊
Wulin Square 武林广场
Longjing and Lingyin hills 龙井 灵隐
Where to stay in Hangzhou
Where-to-stay page not built yet (needs 6+ checked properties)
Start here
Show the driver 给司机看
浙江省杭州市上城区湖滨
Hángzhōu Shì Shàngchéng Qū Húbīn
Hubin, West Lake east shore, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou
Questions people ask
Is West Lake free?
Yes for the lake shore and causeways: Free (lake); boats ¥55-70.
Do I need to book Lingyin Temple?
Entry: Free; reservation required. A guide says slots are 1-7 days ahead.
Sources
- Hangzhou Airport to City, Trip.com, retrieved
- Hangzhou Airport (HGH) to City Center, Wander in China, retrieved
- 240-Hour Visa-Free in China, ChinaTravel.com, retrieved
- China eases visa-free transit to 240 hours, Xinhua (NIA announcement), retrieved
- Alipay accesses public transportation in Asian Games cities, Hangzhou municipal government (English portal), retrieved
- How to Ride Hangzhou Metro, Trip.com, retrieved
- Hangzhou offers free entry to popular site, Hangzhou municipal government (English portal), retrieved
- West Lake Hangzhou guide, China for Travelers, retrieved
- Hangzhou West Lake water bus (ehangzhou.gov.cn), Hangzhou municipal government (English portal), retrieved