China Travel Prep
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Zhejiang
Hangzhou arrival guide
A soft landing city if West Lake is planned around crowds and station transfers.
Use this guide, then check your own details
Prepare the hotel information you will need on arrival.
The arrival check creates a driver card only from Chinese details you confirm; otherwise it gives you a verification checklist.
Before you fly
Save these before arrival
- Save your hotel address in Chinese because lake-area names can be ambiguous.
- If arriving by train, check which Hangzhou station your ticket uses.
- Decide whether this is a day trip or overnight before booking returns.
Arrival points
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport (HGH)
- Hangzhou East Railway Station
Stay zones
- West Lake east shore
- Wulin Square
- Longxiangqiao / Hubin
First movement
Airport or station to lodging
From Hangzhou East, metro and DiDi are both practical. From the airport, choose a car if you arrive late or with luggage.
First day anchor
Keep the first day simple
West Lake west or south shore in the late afternoon.
Arrival routes
From the airport or station
Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport (HGH)
- DiDi or official taxi (simplest with luggage or late)
- Airport metro/bus if your hotel is near a line
Hangzhou East Railway Station
- Metro Line 1 toward West Lake
- DiDi or official taxi
Confirm whether your ticket is Hangzhou East or another station.
Getting around
Local transport basics
- Metro plus DiDi covers most first-trip needs.
- Pay for the metro with an Alipay/WeChat transit QR or a single-journey ticket; both are easy once your wallet works.
- Lake-area street names can be ambiguous — keep the Chinese address handy.
Common mistakes
What first-timers get caught out by
- Treating Hangzhou as a half-day stop when West Lake deserves a relaxed afternoon.
- Walking West Lake clockwise into the crowds instead of the quieter west/south shore.
- Not checking which Hangzhou station your train uses.
FAQ
Common questions
- Can I do Hangzhou as a day trip from Shanghai in one day?
- Yes — if your goal is West Lake plus one anchor (Lingyin Temple or a teahouse). It's tight but works. For tea villages or anything outside the immediate lake area, plan an overnight. The high-speed train from Shanghai Hongqiao to Hangzhou East takes about an hour, with frequent departures.
- What's the best month to visit Hangzhou?
- Late March to May, and mid-September to November. Summers are hot and humid; winters can be cold and damp by the water.
- Is Hangzhou worth it if I've already seen Suzhou?
- Different feel — Suzhou is gardens and canals, Hangzhou is lake-and-mountain. If you only have one day, Suzhou is closer and more compact. Hangzhou rewards an overnight more.