Hangzhou · 杭州
Hangzhou is China's e-commerce capital (home to Alibaba) and one of the country's most beautiful cities thanks to the West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It combines cutting-edge technology with centuries of tea and silk tradition.
City map
What to see
West Lake (西湖)
UNESCO World Heritage Site, China's most iconic landscape
Lingyin Temple
One of China's largest and oldest Buddhist temples
Hefang Street
Historic shopping street with traditional architecture and local crafts
China National Silk Museum
Dedicated to the history of silk
Longjing Tea Hills
Plantations growing China's most famous green tea
Getting around
Hangzhou's metro has a station near the Hangzhou International Expo Center. It's only 45 minutes by high-speed rail from Shanghai, so you can combine both cities in one trip.
On local networks in mainland China, some international services may be restricted or unavailable. If you rely on them for work, prepare a connectivity solution that complies with current rules before travelling and do not depend on a single app. Hong Kong operates under a different internet regime.
Most used apps
Practical buyer information
💶 Indicative daily budget
€65-120/day.
⚠️ What buyers should watch for
If someone offers you "preferential access" to a Chinese e-commerce platform in exchange for an upfront payment, be wary: access to legitimate platforms isn't sold door-to-door at a fair.
Frequently asked questions about Hangzhou
When is the best time to visit Hangzhou?
March-April (West Lake in bloom) and September-October.
Do I need a visa to visit Hangzhou?
As of this review (August 2026), ordinary-passport holders from Spain and Portugal may enter mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days for business, tourism, visits to family or friends, exchange or transit. The exemption for these countries is announced through 31 December 2026. Always check the official policy before booking because it can change.
Sources and practical-data review
Reviewed on 2026-08-23
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