Hangzhou travel guide — where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
Hangzhou runs a fast-growing metro network of more than a dozen lines connecting West Lake, Hangzhou East Railway Station, and the outer districts, backed by an extensive bus network, metered taxis, the Didi ride-hailing app, and one of the world's largest public bike-share systems, launched here in 2008. Hangzhou East Railway Station is one of China's busiest high-speed rail hubs, with frequent bullet trains reaching Shanghai in as little as 45 minutes. Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH) lies southeast of the city center and connects to the metro via Line 1. Cash use is minimal — Alipay, headquartered in Hangzhou, and WeChat Pay dominate fare payment — though single-ride paper tickets remain available for visitors without a Chinese bank account.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Download Alipay or WeChat Pay and link an international card before arrival — most transit, taxis, and even street vendors are near-cashless, and Hangzhou is Alipay's home city
Google Maps, Google services, WhatsApp, and Instagram are blocked in mainland China; install a VPN before arrival or rely on Amap/Baidu Maps and Didi
Hangzhou East Railway Station is enormous — allow at least 30-45 minutes to navigate security, ticket collection, and the long walk to some platforms
West Lake itself has no metro station directly on its shore in most spots — the closest stations (Longxiang Bridge, West Lake Cultural Square) still require a 10-15 minute walk, so factor that into timing
Rush hour (roughly 07:30-09:00 and 17:30-19:00) makes central interchanges busy — allow extra time, especially near Hangzhou East Railway Station
Security screening (bag X-ray) is required to enter every metro station, adding a few minutes to journeys
Book high-speed rail tickets to Shanghai a few days ahead during holiday periods (especially Golden Week and Chinese New Year), as popular departure times sell out