Hangzhou travel guide — where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Hangzhou.
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1
Founding and early growth
The Qin Dynasty establishes Qiantang County on the site of present-day Hangzhou; the settlement grows slowly around the Qiantang River estuary over the following centuries.
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2
Grand Canal reaches Hangzhou
Emperor Yang of Sui extends the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal to Hangzhou, linking the city to the imperial capital and transforming it into a major trade and transport hub, a status the Gongchen Bridge area still reflects today.
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3
Founding of Lingyin Temple
The Indian monk Huili founds Lingyin Temple at the foot of Feilai Feng, beginning a Buddhist tradition that makes the temple one of China's largest and wealthiest Chan (Zen) monasteries.
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4
Hangzhou as a kingdom capital
Hangzhou serves as the capital of the independent Wuyue Kingdom, a period of temple-building and canal engineering around West Lake, including the original Leifeng Pagoda, commissioned in 975 AD by King Qian Chu.
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5
Capital of the Southern Song Dynasty
After the Jin invasion drives the Song court south, Hangzhou (then called Lin'an) becomes the imperial capital, reaching a population of over a million and inspiring the saying 'above there is heaven, below there are Suzhou and Hangzhou.'
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6
Marco Polo's visit
The Venetian traveler Marco Polo reportedly visits Hangzhou during the early Yuan Dynasty and describes it as one of the most splendid and magnificent cities in the world.
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7
Execution of General Yue Fei
Song Dynasty general and national hero Yue Fei is executed on false charges of treason; his tomb and memorial temple on West Lake's north shore remain a major patriotic pilgrimage site.
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8
Su Dongpo's tenure as governor
Poet-official Su Shi (Su Dongpo) serves as governor of Hangzhou and oversees the dredging of West Lake, using the silt to build the Su Causeway; the braised pork dish Dongpo pork is named after him.
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9
Founding of Hu Qingyu Tang
The Hu Qingyu Tang traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy opens on Hefang Street, becoming one of China's most famous heritage apothecaries and now a small museum.
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10
Japanese occupation
Hangzhou is occupied by Japanese forces during the Second Sino-Japanese War, suffering significant damage before being retaken at the war's end.
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11
Founding of the People's Republic of China
Hangzhou becomes part of the newly founded People's Republic of China and is later designated the capital of Zhejiang province.
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12
Founding of Alibaba
Jack Ma founds Alibaba in a Hangzhou apartment, beginning the city's transformation into one of China's leading e-commerce and technology hubs.
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13
West Lake Cultural Landscape UNESCO inscription
UNESCO inscribes the West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou as a World Heritage Site, recognizing over a thousand years of landscaped scenery shaped by poets, scholars, and monks.
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14
G20 Summit in Hangzhou
Hangzhou hosts the G20 Summit, prompting a major infrastructure and metro-expansion push and raising the city's international profile.
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15
Asian Games in Hangzhou
Hangzhou hosts the 19th Asian Games, delayed a year by the COVID-19 pandemic, further expanding the city's metro network and sports infrastructure.
Historical sites
Places where Hangzhou's past comes alive.
Lingyin Temple
Where: Lingyin, Xihu District, Hangzhou
Admission: Free scenic-area entry with real-name reservation made one day ahead; on-site incense and temple-hall ticket ¥30 (~$4.47)
Feilai Feng Grottoes
Where: Lingyin, Xihu District, Hangzhou
Admission: Free with real-name reservation made one day ahead via the Lingyin Feilai Peak scenic-area system
Six Harmonies Pagoda (Liuhe Pagoda)
Where: Yuelun Hill, Xihu District, Hangzhou
Admission: ¥20 (~$2.98) grounds entry; additional ¥10 (~$1.49) to climb the pagoda interior
Yue Fei Temple
Where: North shore of West Lake, Xihu District, Hangzhou
Admission: ¥25 (~$3.73); half price for students and seniors; free for minors under 18 and active military
Leifeng Pagoda
Where: West Lake (south shore), Xihu District, Hangzhou
Admission: ¥40 (~$5.96); 50% off for students; free for seniors over 70
Hefang Street (Qinghefang Ancient Street)
Where: Shangcheng District, Hangzhou
Admission: Free to walk the street; individual shops and small museums charge separately
China Grand Canal Museum
Where: Gongshu District, Hangzhou
Admission: Free with advance reservation
Gongchen Bridge
Where: Gongshu District, Hangzhou
Admission: Free
China National Silk Museum
Where: South shore of West Lake, Xihu District, Hangzhou
Admission: Free
Zhejiang Provincial Museum (Gushan)
Where: Gushan Island, Xihu District, Hangzhou
Admission: Free
Southern Song Guan Kiln Museum
Where: Shangcheng District, Hangzhou
Admission: Free