Where to visit in Hangzhou: 15+ Must visit places in Hangzhou you should not miss

Hangzhou tourist destinations are always on the list of top destinations in China thanks to their beautiful natural scenery and rich cultural history. Each destination brings visitors many memorable experiences. So, where to visit in Hangzhou? In the article below, let’s explore the top 15 most prominent tourist destinations, must visit places in Hangzhou in Hangzhou with Living Nomads.

Brief introduction about Hangzhou

Hangzhou is the capital of Zhejiang province, located in Eastern China, 180km southwest of Shanghai. The city is located near famous tourist centers such as Suzhou and Ningbo, very convenient for combined excursions.

It is no coincidence that Hangzhou is praised as “Heaven on Earth”. This place conquers visitors with its poetic scenery, fresh air and slow pace of life. The city has a harmonious beauty of natural and cultural elements, from the calm lakes, the shady trees along the roadside to the gentle local people. All create a city that is both ancient and modern, making Hangzhou an ideal destination for those who want to find relaxation and inspiration for discovery.

With its peaceful natural beauty, Hangzhou owns countless destinations that fascinate visitors. In the list below, let’s explore the 15 most prominent Hangzhou tourist destinations with “perfect” photo angles to cultural entertainment venues.

Must visit places in Hangzhou: Famous Hangzhou tourist destinations to check in

Hangzhou is not only famous for its poetic landscape but also a paradise for those who love taking photos. Tourist attractions with beautiful photo angles in this city always attract a large number of visitors to check-in and capture impressive moments.

West Lake (Xihu)

West Lake is one of the Hangzhou tourist attractions that symbolizes Chinese culture. It has also been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The lake is famous for its poetic beauty, from willow-lined roads, graceful curved bridges to ancient temples. This is not only a beautiful landscape but also an endless source of inspiration in poetry, painting and the lives of Chinese people.

West Lake is also a check-in spot that cannot be missed with many beautiful photo angles such as: the willow-covered Duanqiao Bridge, Xiaoyingzhou Island in the middle of the lake, the ancient Leifeng Tower or the quiet lakeside roads leading to the West Lake gate overlooking the sunset. Each frame here easily brings the feeling of stepping into a watercolor painting.

China Tea Museum

China Tea Museum is a unique and meaningful Hangzhou tourist destination, especially for those who love the culture and history of tea ceremony. As the only museum in China specializing in tea and the art of tea drinking, this place not only preserves but also honors the spiritual values ​​associated with Chinese life for thousands of years.

With its intimate architecture, peaceful space and cultural scenery, the museum has become a unique check-in location for tourists who love gentleness and tradition. The long rows of green tea, the stone-paved paths between the garden and the delicately designed exhibition area are the ideal angles for photos with classical and artistic nuances.

Leifeng Tower

Leifeng Tower is one of the prominent symbols of Hangzhou, located on the banks of West Lake. The 5-storey tower was built in 975 under the Song Dynasty, collapsed in 1924 and was restored in 2002 in ancient architecture, combining modern materials. Not only does it have historical and spiritual value, this place is also associated with the famous legend of “White Snake – Xu Xian”.

With a prime location on Sunset Hill, the tower is an ideal place to look out over the entire West Lake. The floors inside have exhibitions and cultural displays. This is also an extremely popular check-in spot, especially at sunset when the golden sunlight covers the lake surface, creating a magical scene.

Must visit places in Hangzhou: Fo Yinchuan and Lingyin Temple

Fo Yinchuan and Lingyin Temple are two famous spiritual tourist destinations in Hangzhou, located in the middle of the green mountains and forests to the west of the city. Fo Yinchuan impresses with hundreds of Buddha statues carved directly into limestone cliffs from the 10th – 14th centuries, stretching around caves and trails, creating a scene that is both mysterious and ancient.

Nearby, Lingyin Temple, one of the largest ancient temples in China, stands out with its traditional wooden architecture, quiet space and solemn incense smoke. Both places not only have profound cultural and spiritual values ​​but are also ideal places to check-in amidst peaceful nature, exquisite stone carvings and a sacred atmosphere.

Yuewang or King Yue Temple

Yuewang or King Yue Temple, also known as Yue Fei Temple, is located on the banks of West Lake, built to commemorate the famous general of the Southern Song Dynasty, Yue Fei. The temple complex has a majestic ancient architecture, including: a shrine, a corridor, a garden and Yue Fei’s tomb, all arranged harmoniously in a quiet, solemn space.

The stone steles engraved with poems and bronze statues depicting the image of the loyal general have contributed to creating historical depth and a solemn atmosphere for this place. The ancient features of the building and the peaceful space make Ke Hoc Quan an ideal Hangzhou tourist destination for those who love the quiet beauty and ancient culture.

Longjing Tea Garden

Located to the west of West Lake, on the cool green hillsides, Longjing Tea Garden is where the selected tea buds are nurtured, making the reputation of the famous Dragon Well – Longjing green tea. With a history of more than 1,200 years, this type of tea is considered the quintessence of Chinese tea culture.

The tea fields stretch out, the green steps embrace the small mountain, creating a scene like a vivid ink painting. During the period from March to May, when the tea picking season begins, this place is filled with mist and light tea scent, offering an experience of both enjoying and discovering culture.

Where to visit in Hangzhou: Keqiao Ancient Town

Keqiao Ancient Town is one of the oldest stone bridges in Hangzhou, built in 1545 under the Ming Jiajing Dynasty. The bridge has a single arch architecture made of green stone, spanning a peaceful small canal in Gongshou District. Not only does it have historical value, the bridge also creates a space imbued with ancient and poetic qualities.

In spring, peach blossoms, willows and many other wild flowers bloom on both banks, reflecting on the water surface, creating a scene as beautiful as a watercolor painting. With its rustic, peaceful beauty and timeless scenery, Keqiao Ancient Town is one of the ideal places to take a relaxing walk, take photos and feel the quiet beauty of Hangzhou.

Beishan Road

Beishan Road stretches over 3km along the North bank of West Lake, known as an outdoor “museum without walls” thanks to a series of mixed Eastern and Western architectures and historical and cultural imprints from the Republic of China period to the present. Walking on this road, you will pass by many historical relics such as: Yue Fei’s Tomb, Kang Youwei’s Mansion and Cultural Relics of the Republic of China period.

In spring, cherry blossoms bloom on both sides of the road, creating a picturesque scene. Whether you choose to walk or sit in a cafe under the trees, Beishan Road brings a sense of relaxation and nostalgia.

Zhenjiang International Convention And Exhibition Center

Zhanjiang Exhibition Center is a large-scale cultural and artistic complex located on the banks of the Qiantang River, Hangzhou. The project stands out with its modern design, combining glass walls and curved roofs inspired by traditional Jiangnan architectural style.

With an open space and plenty of natural light, the rich display areas create favorable conditions for visitors to visit, create and take pictures. That is why Zhanjiang has become an ideal destination for those who love art, want to explore local culture and keep highly aesthetic photos.

Hangzhou Sister Cities

Hangzhou Sister Cities, also known as Song Dynasty City, is Hangzhou’s largest theme park, faithfully recreating the life and architecture of the Southern Song Dynasty. The space here is inspired by the famous ancient painting Along the River during the Qingming Festival by artist Zhang Zeduan, bringing vivid images of the urban and ancient people’s lives.

Located at the foot of Wuyun Mountain, next to the gentle river, the park is more than 0.2km² wide and is divided into three areas: cultural performances, technology experiences and entertainment. One of the most attractive experiences is to wear ancient costumes and walk across the ancient bridges sparkling with lights – a favorite check-in spot in the evening.

Hangzhou tourist destinations for entertainment

In addition to the ancient features and charming scenery, Hangzhou tourist destinations also score points with visitors thanks to a series of vibrant and modern entertainment areas, suitable for the whole family and all ages.

Xixi Wetland Park

Different from the splendor of West Lake, Xixi Wetland Park has a peaceful beauty, imbued with the countryside and culture of the Jiangnan river region. This is a rare urban wetland park, located less than 5km from downtown Hangzhou. The park is a harmonious combination of urban life, agriculture and traditional culture.

It offers many relaxing activities such as boating through small canals, rowing bamboo boats, visiting ancient fishing villages, or walking on stone-paved paths among reeds and weeping willows. You can also experience folk activities, enjoy tea at traditional thatched houses or participate in fishing and boating festivals in season.

Hangzhou Polar Ocean World

Hangzhou Polar Ocean World is the most famous ocean park in Hangzhou, often called “Hangzhou Ocean Park”. It is home to a variety of marine animals such as polar bears, penguins, sharks, and rays.

The park also has exhibition areas with the theme of the North Pole, the South Pole, an aquarium and a family-friendly game area. You can enjoy the lovely seal show, interact closely with the beluga whale, or visit the underwater tunnel.

Hubin Yintai IN77

Hubin Yintai IN77 is a high-end shopping mall in the West Lake area of ​​Hangzhou, with five completely connected areas in a total area of ​​nearly 300,000m². Visitors can experience shopping at international fashion brands, dine at a chain of Asian and European restaurants, relax at a lakeside cafe or entertain at the cinema and indoor ice skating rink.

With its open design, green space and modern check-in areas, IN77 is especially attractive to young people and families in the evening or on weekends. In spring, it is also covered with blooming cherry blossoms, turning every walk into a relaxing experience in the heart of the city.

He Fang Jie Pedestrian Street

He Fang Jie is an ancient street over 100 years old, imbued with traditional Hangzhou culture and cuisine. The stone-paved street is about 1.8km long, lined with craft shops, ancient pharmacies, tea shops and specialty snack stalls.

You can stroll and enjoy street food, watch artisans make fans, antique knives, or even join a calligraphy class and enjoy Longjing specialty tea. In the evening, when red lanterns are lit, the space becomes sparkling, very suitable for you to enjoy small festivals and feel the rhythm of ancient Jiangnan life.

Hangzhou People’s Liberation Park

Hangzhou People’s Liberation Park, also known as Zhongshan Park, is located right next to the West Lake, is an ideal green space for rest and entertainment in the heart of the city. With paved walkways, willow trees along the lake and large lawns, this place attracts locals to stroll, exercise or relax under the shade of trees.

On weekends, the park becomes more vibrant with street music performances, children’s activities, boating on the lake and mobile food stalls. The fresh and quiet atmosphere makes the park a favorite destination for both the elderly and families with young children.

In addition to the above outstanding destinations, Hangzhou also offers many other interesting activities and experiences, making the trip more diverse and memorable. Careful preparation from the transportation stage will help you start your journey to explore Hangzhou smoothly and completely.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Hangzhou you can refer to

• Heavenly Hangzhou Private Day Tour
• 3 Day Essential Hangzhou Private Tour
• West Lake Daytime Cruise Ticket
• Zhoushan Taohua Island Ticket Hangzhou
• Qiandao Lake (Central Lake District) Ticket Hangzhou
• Impression West Lake (Enduring Memories of Hangzhou) Show Ticket
• Tonglu Yaolin Fairyland Ticket in Hangzhou (For Mainland Chinese Citizens Only)
• 3 Days Hangzhou & Wuzhen Water Village
• West Lake and Longjing Village Private Hiking Day Tour from Hangzhou
• West Lake and Lingyin Temple Whole Day Tour with Cruise in Hangzhou (Flying Peaks Hangzhou or Three Pools Mirroring The Moon)
• Old Hangzhou Canal Life Experience Half Day Tour

Read more Hangzhou guide here.