Guide № 03 · Hangzhou
Hangzhou Day Trip from Shanghai
Last updated 2026-05-25
Hangzhou is about an hour from Shanghai by high-speed train. It's a strong day-trip option, but the day works much better if you plan around the West Lake crowds and the train timing — not against them.
The train — Shanghai Hongqiao to Hangzhou East
- High-speed rail
- Amap
Trains run every 10–20 minutes, about an hour each way, 70–130 RMB depending on class and operator. Book on Trip.com (easier) or 12306 (cheaper, no markup). Bring your passport — same as boarding a flight.
Hangzhou East is well connected by Metro Line 1 to the West Lake area — about 25–30 minutes to Longxiangqiao, the closest stop to the north shore.
Day trip versus overnight
A day trip works well if you leave Shanghai by 8:30am and return on a 7–8pm train. An overnight is strongly worth it if you care about tea villages outside the city, or want to see West Lake at dawn — both are difficult in a single day.
West Lake — walk counterclockwise from Su Causeway in the afternoon
- Alipay
- Amap
Tour buses unload at the east shore in the morning. Walking the west and south shores after 3pm is much calmer, and the late-afternoon light on the pagodas is the reason West Lake is famous.
Bikes are available everywhere via Hellobike / Meituan inside Alipay — useful for covering the larger Su Causeway loop without rushing.
Beyond West Lake
- DiDi
If you have an overnight: Longjing village (tea), Lingyin Temple (go before tour groups arrive), and Hefang Old Street (souvenirs, easy evening walk). All reachable by metro plus a short DiDi.
Frequently asked
Quick answers
- Can I do Hangzhou as a day trip 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.
- 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.
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