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.
- Public
- Zhejiang has one of China's densest high-speed rail networks, anchored by Hangzhou East Railway Station, plus a growing Hangzhou Metro, extensive intercity and local bus networks, and ferries to the Zhoushan islands
- Taxi
- Taxis are metered and inexpensive in Hangzhou, Ningbo, and Wenzhou, though DiDi (China's ride-hailing app) is far more commonly used by residents and usually cheaper and faster to summon
- Rental
- Self-drive car rental is legally difficult for foreign visitors, since a Chinese driving license or permit conversion is required; most travelers rely on trains, DiDi, and buses instead
- Walking
- City cores such as Hangzhou's West Lake and Shaoxing's old town are walkable, but Zhejiang's cities are spread out overall and best combined with metro or DiDi for longer hops
Transport at a glance
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Zhejiang is one of China's best-connected provinces, built around Hangzhou East Railway Station and a dense high-speed rail grid that reaches Shanghai in under an hour and Beijing or Guangzhou in a few hours. Hangzhou's expanding metro, DiDi ride-hailing, and local and intercity buses cover the cities and canal towns, while ferries link the mainland to the Zhoushan archipelago and its beaches. Self-drive rental is impractical for most international visitors; trains and ride-hailing cover almost every itinerary.
Airports
Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport
Ningbo Lishe International Airport
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Register a DiDi account (China's Uber-equivalent) before arrival and link an international card or Alipay/WeChat Pay - it is the easiest way to book rides in Hangzhou, Ningbo, and Wenzhou
Buy high-speed rail tickets on the official 12306 app or via trip-booking apps like Trip.com, which issue e-tickets that work with passport ID at station gates
Arrive at Hangzhou East Railway Station at least 45-60 minutes before departure - it is one of Asia's busiest stations and security lines can be long
Get an Alipay or WeChat Pay account set up for the Hangzhou Metro and city buses, since cash is rarely accepted and QR-code payment is standard
Ferries to Zhoushan and Putuoshan can be cancelled in rough weather or typhoon season (July-September) - build in a buffer day if visiting the islands
Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport's Metro Line 1 extension and airport shuttle buses are cheaper and often faster than a taxi during rush hour
Carry a passport at all times - it is required for rail ticket purchase, station entry, and hotel check-in throughout Zhejiang