Zhejiang is a coastal province in eastern China, on the southern shore of the Yangtze River Delta and the East China Sea. It is one of China's smallest provinces by land area yet one of its wealthiest and most densely populated, anchored by the historic capital Hangzhou and its famous West Lake. Zhejiang is celebrated for its canal-laced water towns, sacred Buddhist mountain of Putuo Shan, tea plantations, and a coastline scattered with thousands of islands.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Zhejiang.
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1
West Lake (Xi Hu)
Tip: Arrive before 8AM to see local tai chi practice and avoid tour groups · Rent a shared bicycle to cover the roughly 15km lake loop faster than walking · Leifeng Pagoda charges CNY 40 separately from the free lakeside parks · Buy boat tickets at the pier rather than from street touts · Weekends and Chinese public holidays bring heavy crowds to Su Causeway
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2
Lingyin Temple
Tip: Buy the combined temple-and-Feilai Feng ticket at the entrance rather than separately · Arrive right at the 7AM opening on weekdays to beat tour bus groups · Photography is not permitted inside the main halls, only in the courtyards and caves · Wear comfortable shoes, as the site involves uneven stone steps up the hillside · Incense is sold near the entrance and burning it is optional, not required
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3
Xixi National Wetland Park
Tip: Buy the combined park-and-boat ticket at the East Gate to avoid a second queue · Arrive before 9am on weekends and holidays to get ahead of tour groups · Hand-poled boats move slower but are quieter than the electric ferries · Bring insect repellent in summer near the reed beds · The three zones are far apart on foot; plan a boat route rather than walking between them
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4
Wuzhen Water Town
Tip: Buy the combined Dongzha-Xizha ticket if visiting both districts in one trip · Stay overnight in Xizha to see the lantern-lit canals once day-trip crowds leave · Gondola boat rides cost extra and are not included in the entrance ticket · Visit Dongzha in the morning and Xizha in the afternoon into evening · Wear non-slip shoes, as stone bridge steps can be worn smooth and slick
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5
Xitang Ancient Water Town
Tip: Buy the nine-site through-ticket at the main entrance if planning to visit the museums · Walking the canal-side streets and lanes is free without a ticket · Stay overnight in a canal-view guesthouse to see the town once day-trippers leave · Lantern lighting begins around dusk, roughly 6-7pm depending on season · Wear flat, non-slip shoes; stone bridge steps get slick when wet
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6
Nanxun Ancient Town
Tip: Buy the combined ticket covering the main gardens and former residences at the entrance · Visit on a weekday morning for the quietest walk through the silk-merchant quarter · Jiayetang Library closes earlier than the main scenic area, so visit it first · A short canal boat ride gives a different vantage on Baijianlou than walking · Comfortable shoes help on the old town's uneven stone lanes
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7
Qiandao Lake (Thousand Island Lake)
Tip: Buy boat tickets for a specific island route rather than trying to combine too many in one day · Arrive at the pier early, as the most popular morning boat departures sell out first · Bring a jacket for the boat deck, as it is windier on open water than on shore · Diving trips to the submerged towns require booking through a licensed local operator in advance · Lakeside restaurants near the pier serve the regional specialty fish head soup
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8
Mount Putuo
Tip: Stay overnight on the island to see the temples at dawn before day-trip ferries arrive · Book ferry tickets in advance during the Guanyin pilgrimage festival dates · Bring cash for incense and small temple donations, as card payment is limited · The cable car to Mount Foding saves a steep uphill hike but has long lines midday · Ferry schedules are seasonal, so confirm the last return sailing before heading out
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9
Moganshan (Mogan Mountain)
Tip: Visit on a weekday to avoid the heavy weekend crowds from Shanghai and Hangzhou · Book a villa guesthouse in advance during summer, as the best ones fill quickly · Bring a light jacket even in summer, since evenings are cool at altitude · Wear hiking shoes, as many forest paths are dirt and stone rather than paved · Local taxis and shuttles are needed to reach different parts of the mountain, so plan routes ahead
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10
Yandang Mountain
Tip: Buy the combined ticket covering the main scenic spots rather than paying per site · Stay overnight near Lingyan or Lingfeng to catch the evening rock-formation light show · Wear sturdy shoes; trails include long stretches of steep stone stairs · Visit after summer rains for the waterfall's peak flow · Allow two days to properly cover Lingfeng, Lingyan and Dalongqiu without rushing
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Landmarks
West Lake (Xi Hu)
Zhejiang's defining scenic lake, ringed by causeways, pagodas and gardens
Six Harmonies Pagoda (Liuhe Pagoda)
Octagonal Song Dynasty pagoda overlooking the Qiantang River
Ningbo Old Bund
Riverside district of early 19th-century foreign-concession buildings
Longyou Grottoes
Vast man-made underground caverns of unresolved origin and age
Museums
China National Silk Museum
The world's largest silk museum, tracing Zhejiang's silk-making history
China National Tea Museum
Museum and plantation grounds devoted to Chinese tea culture near Longjing
Tianyige Library
The oldest surviving private library in China, founded in the Ming Dynasty
Nature
Xixi National Wetland Park
Urban wetland of canals, reed marshes and traditional villages
Qiandao Lake (Thousand Island Lake)
Vast reservoir dotted with more than a thousand forested islands
Mount Putuo
Sacred Buddhist island mountain dedicated to the bodhisattva Guanyin
Moganshan (Mogan Mountain)
Cool bamboo-covered hill retreat historically favored for summer escapes
Yandang Mountain
Volcanic rock peaks, gorges and waterfalls in southern Zhejiang
Nanji Islands
Marine reserve archipelago known for clear water and seafood
Anji Bamboo Sea (Da Zhu Hai)
Rolling hills covered in dense moso bamboo forest
Water_towns
Wuzhen Water Town
Canal town of stone bridges and waterside timber houses, lantern-lit at night
Xitang Ancient Water Town
Nine-canal town with covered corridors and over a hundred stone bridges
Nanxun Ancient Town
Former silk-merchant town blending Chinese gardens with Western-style mansions
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Hours
- Most museums and libraries close on Mondays; scenic parks and water towns are generally open daily, with extended hours in summer
- Fees
- Free lakeside and museum access is common in Hangzhou; water towns and mountain scenic areas typically charge CNY 75-215 (approx $11-32) for entry or combined tickets
- Best Times
- Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable weather; avoid the Chinese national holiday weeks (early May and early October) when domestic travel peaks
- Booking
- Reserve timed entry for popular sites such as Lingyin Temple and Wuzhen online in advance, especially on weekends and holidays
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Book West Lake boat rides and Wuzhen or Xitang entry tickets online in advance during Chinese national holidays, when crowds surge across the province
Carry a passport for ticket purchase at most scenic areas, as many booking systems require ID registration
Use metro and high-speed rail between Hangzhou, Shaoxing and Ningbo rather than driving, since historic town centers are largely car-free
Pack layers for hikes at Yandang Mountain and Moganshan, where temperatures drop noticeably with elevation
Visit water towns like Wuzhen and Xitang on a weekday or in the early morning to see the canals before day-trip crowds arrive from Shanghai and Hangzhou
Check ferry schedules to Mount Putuo and the Nanji Islands in advance, as sailings are reduced or canceled in poor weather
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season to visit attractions in Zhejiang?
Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) bring mild temperatures, blooming or colorful scenery around West Lake and Yandang Mountain, and comfortable conditions for walking the water towns
Are the water towns of Wuzhen, Xitang and Nanxun very different from one another?
Wuzhen is the most restored and commercialized, with evening lantern lighting; Xitang has the most covered canal-side corridors; Nanxun mixes classical Chinese gardens with Western-style former residences and is generally less crowded
Do I need a guide to visit Mount Putuo?
A guide is not required; the island has marked paths between its main temples, and ferry and shuttle bus signage is available in English, though joining a small group can help navigate the multiple ferry transfers
How much time should I budget for Zhejiang's main attractions?
Allow at least 5-7 days to combine Hangzhou's West Lake area, one or two water towns, and either Mount Putuo or a mountain destination such as Yandang Mountain or Moganshan