“Above there is heaven, below there is Hangzhou,” the saying goes. Famous for the serene West Lake and its green-tea hills, Hangzhou is an easy, scenic escape — under an hour by train from Shanghai.

Where to stay

Stay near West Lake for lakeside mornings and easy access to the old town. Compare Hangzhou hotels on Booking.com or Agoda.

Getting there

Hangzhou East is a 45–60 minute bullet train from Shanghai. Book on Trip.com — trains run constantly throughout the day.

Day 1 — West Lake

• Walk or cycle the Su Causeway across the lake
• Visit Leifeng Pagoda for sunset views
• Take a boat to the islands in the middle of the lake

Day 2 — Tea & temples

• Lingyin Temple, one of China’s most important Buddhist sites
• Longjing (Dragon Well) tea village — tour the plantations and taste fresh green tea; book on Klook or Viator
• Evening: the “Impression West Lake” outdoor show (seasonal)

Day 3 — Gardens & canals

• Xixi National Wetland Park, a tranquil maze of waterways
• Stroll the restored Grand Canal and Hefang Street old town
• Easy return to Shanghai by evening train

Where to eat

Hangzhou cuisine is delicate and lake-inspired — gently sweet-savoury and seasonal:

Hong shao rou (红烧肉) — glossy, melt-in-the-mouth red-braised pork belly, a Jiangnan comfort-food classic.

• Lou Wai Lou (楼外楼) — the historic West Lake institution (since 1848) for Dongpo pork, hong shao rou and beggar’s chicken.
• Zhiweiguan (知味观) — a classic for quick, affordable Hangzhou snacks and xiaolongbao.
• Grandma’s (外婆家) — the much-loved, wallet-friendly chain that started in Hangzhou; expect a wait.
• Green Tea (绿茶) — another Hangzhou original, scenic and great value.

For the wider region, see the Jiangnan cuisine guide.

Short on time? An 8–10 hour layover plan

If you’re transiting through Hangzhou (HGH) under the 240-hour visa-free scheme, West Lake is an easy escape.

• Airport ↔ city: about 40–50 minutes each way to West Lake by airport bus, metro, or Didi.
• Buffer: factor an hour for immigration and a 40–50 minute ride each way, then head back roughly 3 hours before an international flight.
• That leaves ~4 hours in the city. Suggested loop: a West Lake lakeside stroll or short boat ride → Hefang Street old town for snacks, then head back.

Quick tips

• Get a VPN and Alipay or WeChat Pay sorted at home — you’ll tap to pay for boat tickets and tea alike
• West Lake is free to enter and best early morning
• Pairs perfectly as a 1–2 day add-on to a Shanghai trip