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.
Family activities
Engaging experiences for travellers of every age.
West Lake Boat Rides
Gentle boats and larger dragon-style ferries cross West Lake to the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon islet and Xiaoyingzhou, with calm water and easy on-off boarding that suits children of any age
Duration: 1-2 hours
Hangzhou Safari Park
A large safari-style park south of Hangzhou with drive-through and walking zones for big cats, giraffes, and bears, plus an animal show arena - a reliable full-day outing for animal-loving children
Duration: Half to full day
Songcheng Park & Evening Show
A theme park styled on ancient Chinese architecture with rides, street performances, and a large-scale acrobatic and special-effects evening show depicting Hangzhou's history - visually spectacular for children and teens alike
Duration: Half day plus evening
Wuzhen Water Town
A canal town of stone bridges, covered walkways, and flat cobbled lanes that is unusually stroller-friendly for a historic Chinese site; boat rides along the canals are a highlight for younger children
Duration: Half to full day
Xitang Ancient Town
A smaller, quieter water town than Wuzhen with covered corridor walkways (langpeng) that shelter families from sun or rain, narrow canals, and gentle boat rides suited to toddlers and older children alike
Duration: Half day
Qiandao Lake (Thousand Island Lake)
A vast reservoir dotted with over a thousand forested islets, offering boat tours, an island with a lock-bridge theme, and clean-water swimming areas - a scenic nature escape that suits active families
Duration: Full day
China National Tea Museum
An educational museum in the hills above West Lake covering the history and craft of Chinese tea, with gardens to wander and simple hands-on tea-tasting activities suitable for curious children
Duration: 2-3 hours
Grand Canal Night Cruise, Hangzhou
An evening boat ride along the UNESCO-listed Grand Canal past illuminated bridges and old warehouses, a relaxing low-effort activity for tired children at the end of a sightseeing day
Duration: 1 hour
Family-friendly hotels
Accommodation designed with families in mind.
Hyatt Regency Hangzhou
A large lakeside-area hotel with spacious family rooms, an indoor pool, and an easy walk to West Lake's northern shore, popular with international families
Family features: Indoor pool, family rooms, kids' amenities on request, central location near West Lake
Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake
A resort-style luxury property directly on West Lake with landscaped gardens, multiple pools, and villa-style rooms that give families space and privacy
Family features: Pools, spacious villa rooms, lakeside gardens for children to explore, high-end service
Wuzhen Water Town Guesthouses
Traditional courtyard-style guesthouses inside or near the Wuzhen scenic area, offering a quieter, more authentic base for families wanting to explore the water town at a relaxed pace outside daytime crowds
Family features: Family rooms, canal-side settings, walkable to attractions, home-style breakfast
Dining with kids
Eating out as a family.
Chinese restaurants are generally very welcoming to children and dishes are commonly shared family-style, making it easy to order a mix of mild options
Noodle and dumpling dishes such as Hangzhou's mian and xiaolongbao-style dumplings are inexpensive, familiar, and popular with most children
Portion sizes at local restaurants are often generous and easily split between a child and adult, so ordering fewer dishes than the number of diners is normal
Fresh fruit stalls and bakeries are widespread for quick, healthy snacks between sightseeing stops
Spicy dishes are less common in Zhejiang cuisine than in some other Chinese regions, making it a relatively easy province for families cooking around picky eaters
Family travel tips
Practical advice for stress-free family trips.
Build downtime into every day — over-scheduled kids melt down faster than tired adults.
Carry snacks, water, and a small first-aid kit at all times.
Many attractions offer discounted family tickets — ask at the ticket window.