Must visit place in Hangzhou

"There is paradise above and Suzhou and Hangzhou below." With the Qiantang River as its source and the West Lake as its backdrop, Hangzhou has long been known as a "heaven on earth". For first-time visitors to Hangzhou, what are the most classic places to visit? What are the best experiences not to be missed in Hangzhou? This guide to the classic attractions in Hangzhou is all you need to read!

West Lake in Hangzhou: The City's Business Card

"Thirty-six lakes in the world, and Hangzhou is the best among them." West Lake has always been the soul of Hangzhou. The beauty of West Lake can be seen in all seasons: the peach blossoms on both sides of the Su Causeway in the spring breeze, the lotus flowers reaching the sky in summer, the moonlight soaking the Three Pools in autumn nights, and the plum blossoms swaying in the winter snow. The beauty of West Lake is diverse, with the water creating incomparable charm, whether it is adorned or plain. On a peaceful morning, take a leisurely ride or boat trip along the West Lake, or simply walk leisurely, measuring every inch of its beauty with your footsteps. Worth mentioning is the renowned Leifeng Pagoda from the famous Chinese legend "The Legend of the White Snake," which is located within the West Lake scenic area. Don't miss it when you visit West Lake.

Lingyin Temple: Renowned worldwide because of Ji Gong

Travel to Hangzhou, visit West Lake, and visit Lingyin Temple. Lingyin Temple, also known as Yunlin Temple, was established during the Eastern Jin Dynasty and is the oldest ancient temple in southern China. It is said to be the place where Ji Gong became a monk. The temple houses many precious treasures, such as ancient palm-leaf scriptures, gilded Buddha statues from the Eastern Wei Dynasty, a handwritten copy of the Diamond Sutra by Dong Qichang from the Ming Dynasty, and a wooden carved dragon statue from the Yongzheng period of the Qing Dynasty. During Buddhist festivals, incense fills the air and the temple is always bustling with worshippers.

Xixi National Wetland Park: Hangzhou's Kidney

Known as the "Kidney of Hangzhou," Xixi National Wetland Park is one of the filming locations for the comedy film "If You Are the One." The tranquil and pleasant wetland scenery adds beauty to the movie, and the popularity of the film has brought fame to this previously unknown place. Water is the soul of Xixi, with six rivers intersecting and abundant greenery everywhere, immersing oneself in it feels like being in a fairyland.

Hefang Street: The essence of Hangzhou's history

There is a saying that the essence of Hangzhou is not elsewhere, but on those old streets. If you visit the old streets, the first recommendation is Hefang Street. Located at the foot of Wushan Mountain, Hefang Street is part of the Qinghefang area and is a famous retro street in the old city of Hangzhou. It can be said to be the street that best embodies Hangzhou's historical and cultural characteristics. It is not very long, but it has a strong sense of local culture, with unique snacks, antique calligraphy and paintings, teahouses and old shops. You can also buy various tourist souvenirs and folk handicrafts here. Both locals and tourists enjoy visiting. Hefang Street is even more charming at night, so you may consider taking a night stroll.

Night tour of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal

"The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal" is one of the greatest ancient water conservancy projects in China and the longest canal in the world. Taking a boat trip on the canal is the best way to appreciate its long history and culture, and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Jiangnan water town. When night falls, the canal is illuminated with lights, preserving its classical charm. As a visitor to Hangzhou, you must not miss the beauty of the canal.

Visit Hangzhou Songcheng Scenic Area to watch a performance of "Everlasting Love in Song City."

Songcheng is an old-fashioned theme park in Hangzhou, featuring the style of the Song Dynasty. It feels like traveling back to ancient times with its streets, restaurants, people's attire and behavior, various performances, and merchants' calls. The highlight is the show "Songcheng Eternal Love," one of the "Three Great Shows of the World," with stunning lighting effects and powerful performances. It depicts the grandeur of the Song Palace, the tragic Yuejia Army, and the eternal love stories of the White Snake and Xu Xian, as well as Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai. The show also showcases the beauty of silk, tea, and the picturesque scenery of the Jiangnan region, captivating the audience.

Go to Meijiawu and have a cup of fragrant Longjing tea

Translated into English: "Hangzhou, known for its renowned West Lake Longjing tea, has long been deeply marked by tea culture. Regardless of age, everyone loves to drink tea, not just for the taste of tea, but for a sense of leisure. If visiting Beishan Road is to taste the water of West Lake, then Meijiawu is to savor the delicate fragrance of Longjing tea. If you have time when you come to Hangzhou, it would be best to visit Meijiawu, find a tea house, enjoy the beautiful scenery, sip fragrant tea, embrace the gentle breeze, empty your mind, not for anything else, but for a moment of tranquility in your heart."

Go to grandma's house and have an authentic Hangzhou-style meal

If you have been to Hangzhou, you must have a strong impression of this call that echoes in the streets and alleys, which has become the most spectacular scene in the ordinary Hangzhou nowadays. If you go to Hangzhou, of course, you should try the local Hangzhou cuisine. And if you want to try local food, you must go to the famous restaurant "Grandma's Home".