Discover Hangzhou
with Cathay Pacific

With its serene West Lake, scenic tea fields and ancient villages, it’s easy to see why Marco Polo called Hangzhou "the city of heaven".
For centuries, it’s been an inspiration to countless artists, poets – and travellers. From spending mornings adrift on tranquil waters to afternoons sampling tea at the source in Longjing village, here’s our guide to things to do in Hangzhou. And with the beautiful Huangshan mountains and ancient water towns close by, a trip to Hangzhou really does tick all the boxes.

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Things to do in Hangzhou

Visit a serene water town

Hangzhou is surrounded by charming water towns that are perfect for a day trip. Perhaps China’s most beautiful heritage town is Wuzhen, whose quiet canals and waterways are spanned by arched stone bridges. Another ancient village worth visiting is Hongcun, a filming location for movies including Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

Go shopping on Qinghefang Street

Qinghefang Street is one of the top places to visit in Hangzhou. This bustling street dates back as early as the 1100s, when Hangzhou was the capital of China. It retains something of its ancient character, with period buildings housing stores selling Chinese heritage brands, street food and more.

Enjoy the tranquility of West Lake

Surrounded by cloud-capped hills on three sides and the city on the fourth, Hangzhou’s West Lake is considered one of the most beautiful sights in China. Leave plenty of time to take in the pagodas, temples and ornamental bridges dotted around this Hangzhou attraction – and for a relaxed adventure, hop on a lake cruise which takes in the major sites. Afterwards, scale the steps up to the slender Baochu Pagoda for commanding views of the lake.

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