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Open WhatsApp ChatXiaoshan (HGH) to West Lake, Longjing tea villages, and Lingyin Temple with English-speaking driver. Marco Polo's "Heaven on Earth." Fixed price.
Marco Polo called it "the finest and most splendid city in the world." Still true today.
The name "Hangzhou" (杭州) means "Boat Prefecture," referring to its location on the Qiantang River. The city was founded in 221 BC and reached its golden age during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127–1279) when it became the capital. Known as Lin'an at the time, it was the world's largest city with a population of over a million. Marco Polo visited in the 13th century and described it as "the finest and most splendid city in the world."
Hangzhou is home to Zhejiang University (founded 1897, ranked top 3 in China), one of the country's most prestigious institutions. The city is also the headquarters of Alibaba, China's tech giant, and has become a major hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. Other notable universities include the China Academy of Art and Zhejiang University of Technology. Hangzhou's universities produce some of China's top tech talent.
Hangzhou's metro system has 12 lines covering 500+ km, making it one of China's most efficient. The airport line connects Xiaoshan Airport (HGH) to the city center in 30 minutes. However, the Longjing tea villages and Lingyin Temple are not reachable by metro. Our private car service is the most convenient way to explore the scenic areas around West Lake, especially with a driver who knows the best viewpoints and tea houses.
Hangzhou sits on the banks of the Qiantang River, with the iconic West Lake at its center. The surrounding hills are covered with Longjing (Dragon Well) tea plantations, producing China's most famous green tea. The city is surrounded by the Tianmu Mountains, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Hangzhou's climate is humid subtropical with mild winters and hot summers. The city is renowned for its natural beauty, with over 60% green coverage.
Discover Marco Polo's "Heaven on Earth" with a private driver.
Fixed-price private car service for Hangzhou's most popular journeys.
~30 km · 40–50 min
Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH) is Hangzhou's main airport. Our private car picks you up at the arrival hall, tracks your flight for delays, and delivers you directly to your hotel near West Lake or in the Shangcheng District. No need to navigate the airport bus with luggage.
~15 km · 30 min · 4-hour trip
Visit the Longjing tea villages in the hills west of West Lake. Your driver takes you to the best tea plantations, where you can watch the tea-making process, enjoy a tea ceremony, and purchase authentic Longjing tea directly from the growers. A perfect half-day escape from the city.
~150 km · 2 hours · 8-hour day trip
Visit Suzhou, the "Venice of the East," famous for its classical gardens and canals. Your driver picks you up at your Hangzhou hotel, drives you to the Humble Administrator's Garden and Tiger Hill, waits while you explore, and returns you to Hangzhou. A perfect day trip combining two of China's most beautiful cities.
8 hours · Business vehicle · Custom itinerary
Visit West Lake, Lingyin Temple, Longjing Tea Village, and Six Harmonies Pagoda in one day. Enjoy a traditional tea ceremony and a lakeside lunch. Your driver knows the best viewpoints and timing to avoid crowds. Add a West Lake sunset boat ride for a romantic evening.
Everything you need to know about arriving in Hangzhou and reaching your hotel.
East of the city · 30 km to West Lake
HGH is Hangzhou's main airport and one of eastern China's busiest. It has three terminals: Terminal 1 (domestic), Terminal 2 (domestic and international), and Terminal 4 (newest, mainly international). The airport metro line connects to the city center in 30 minutes, but with luggage a private car is far more comfortable. By road, expect 40–50 minutes to West Lake or Wulin Square.
Growing capacity · New runways planned
The airport is expanding to serve Hangzhou's growing role as a tech and tourism hub. Current terminals handle flights to most major Asian cities and European hubs. Our drivers monitor terminal assignments and will meet you at the correct arrival hall.
High-speed hub · 20 min to West Lake
The main station for high-speed trains to Shanghai (1 hour), Beijing (4.5 hours), Nanjing, and Suzhou. It's one of China's largest railway stations. A private car pickup is recommended as the station is vast and taxi queues can be long.
Central station · 10 min to West Lake
Located near the city center, this station serves conventional trains to southern and western China. Its central location makes it convenient for hotels near West Lake and Wulin Square.
Reopened 2020 · Xiaoshan District
Reopened after major renovation, this station mainly serves high-speed trains on the Shanghai–Kunming line. It's convenient for travelers staying in the Xiaoshan district or visiting the airport.
Newest station · Yuhang District
Opened in 2022, this modern station serves high-speed trains to western China and is part of the new westward expansion of Hangzhou. It's convenient for the Yuhang district and future tech zone developments.
For Xitang Water Town · 80 km northeast
If you're visiting the beautiful Xitang Water Town, you can take the high-speed train to Jiashan South Station. Our driver can also take you directly from Hangzhou in about 1.5 hours.
We meet you at the exit with a name board and help with luggage.
Book Station TransferCapture the city from the most iconic and photogenic angles.
Best at dawn
The misty morning light over West Lake, with the Broken Bridge and willow trees reflected in the calm water, is the quintessential Hangzhou scene. Arrive before 6 AM for the most peaceful shots.
Best in morning mist
The terraced tea fields of Meijiawu and Longjing village, draped in morning fog, offer serene landscape photography. The layered green hills with traditional village houses are especially beautiful in spring.
Best in soft morning light
The ancient temple nestled among lush forest, with stone carvings on the Feilai Feng, creates a mystical atmosphere. The morning light filtering through the trees adds a spiritual quality to your shots.
Best at sunset
Climb the ancient pagoda for panoramic views of the Qiantang River and the city. The sunset light on the river and the surrounding hills is breathtaking. The tidal bore in autumn adds dramatic water action.
Best in late afternoon
The maze of waterways, traditional fishing boats, and ancient villages in Xixi Wetland Park offers a timeless Chinese landscape. The golden hour light on the water creates mirror-like reflections.
Best after dark
The historic pedestrian street, with its red lanterns, traditional architecture, and glowing shop signs, is a photographer's delight. The golden light reflecting off the stone pavement creates a magical old-town atmosphere.
Hangzhou's most famous dish — tender pork belly braised in soy sauce and wine until meltingly soft. Named after the Song Dynasty poet Su Dongpo. The dish is rich, sweet, and deeply savory. Your driver can take you to the best restaurant serving authentic Dongpo Pork near West Lake.
Fresh grass carp from West Lake, prepared with a sweet and sour sauce. The fish is served whole, with the head and tail intact. A Hangzhou specialty that dates back over 800 years. The best version is found at the historic Louwailou restaurant on Gushan Island.
Fresh shrimp stir-fried with Longjing tea leaves. The tea adds a subtle fragrance and removes any fishiness. A delicate dish that perfectly captures Hangzhou's culinary philosophy of using local ingredients. Your driver knows the best lakeside restaurant for this dish.
A whole chicken stuffed with herbs and mushrooms, wrapped in lotus leaves and clay, then baked. The legend says a beggar stole a chicken and cooked it this way. The result is incredibly tender and fragrant. A dramatic dish that your driver can help you order at the right restaurant.
A historic pedestrian street near West Lake, filled with traditional shops, tea houses, pharmacies, and restaurants. Perfect for silk, tea, and traditional Chinese medicine. The street dates back to the Southern Song Dynasty and has been beautifully restored.
Buy authentic Longjing tea directly from the growers in the tea villages west of West Lake. Your driver can take you to the best family-run tea houses where you can taste before you buy. The spring harvest (April) is the most prized.
Hangzhou has been China's silk capital for over 1,000 years. The Xinhua Silk Factory offers high-quality silk products at reasonable prices. Your driver can take you to the factory showroom where you can watch silk-making demonstrations and purchase genuine silk scarves, clothing, and bedding.
Hangzhou's premier shopping district with luxury brands, international boutiques, and gourmet restaurants. Hangzhou Tower is the city's most upscale department store. Your driver can drop you off and pick you up after a day of shopping.
Hangzhou's most famous product — China's premier green tea. Buy directly from the tea villages (Meijiawu, Longjing, Manjuelong) for the freshest spring harvest. The pre-Qingming (Mingqian) tea picked before April 5th is the most prized. Your driver can take you to family-run tea houses for tasting.
Hangzhou has been China's silk capital for over 1,000 years. The Xinhua Silk Factory and China Silk Museum offer high-quality silk scarves, clothing, and bedding. Watch silk-making demonstrations and purchase genuine silk products. Your driver can take you to the factory showroom.
These elegant parasols, made with bamboo frames and silk canopies, are a Hangzhou specialty. Hand-painted with scenes of West Lake, they make beautiful decorative items. Find them at the Silk Museum or Hefang Street craft shops.
The Wangxingji fan shop has been making traditional folding fans since 1875. Crafted from sandalwood, bamboo, and silk, these fans are both functional and artistic. The black paper fans with gold paintings are especially prized.
Meet the traditional arts that have defined Hangzhou for centuries — and the artisans keeping them alive.
UNESCO-listed intangible heritage. The traditional processing of Longjing (Dragon Well) tea involves ten precise steps: withering, rolling, pan-frying, and shaping by hand. Master tea makers use their bare hands in hot woks to create the flat, jade-green leaves that define this world-famous tea.
Where to experience it: Longjing Tea Village or the China Tea Museum. Ask your driver to arrange a tea-making demonstration.
Hangzhou has been China's silk capital for over 1,000 years. The traditional silk weaving process involves reeling, throwing, dyeing, and weaving on wooden looms. The famous "cloud brocade" technique creates fabrics with intricate patterns that seem to float.
Where to find it: China Silk Museum or the Xinhua Silk Factory showroom. Demonstrations are available.
Founded in 1875, Wangxingji is one of China's most famous fan makers. The traditional process involves over 80 steps, from selecting bamboo to painting the silk or paper surface. The black paper fans with gold paintings are especially prized.
Where to find it: Wangxingji Fan Shop on Hefang Street, or the Hangzhou Arts and Crafts Museum.
A traditional opera style originating in the Shaoxing area near Hangzhou, Yue Opera is known for its lyrical, romantic style and all-female casts. The music is softer and more melodic than Peking Opera, with stories drawn from classical literature.
Where to experience it: Hangzhou Yue Opera Theatre or the Zhejiang Xiaobaihua Yue Opera Troupe.
The Xiaoshan area near Hangzhou is famous for its intricate bamboo weaving. Master craftsmen create everything from baskets and furniture to delicate decorative items using techniques passed down for centuries. The "double-layer" weaving technique is particularly prized.
Where to find it: Hangzhou Arts and Crafts Museum, or select shops on Hefang Street.
A distinctive painting style that emerged in Hangzhou during the Ming Dynasty, blending traditional Chinese brush techniques with local landscape subjects. Zhepai artists are known for their bold, expressive brushwork and focus on the natural beauty of the Jiangnan region.
Where to find it: Zhejiang Art Museum, Xiling Seal Art Society, and galleries on Hefang Street.
Insider tips to help you experience Hangzhou like a local.
The Su Causeway is packed by 9 AM. Arrive at 6 AM to see locals practicing tai chi, fishermen casting nets, and the morning mist over the willow-lined causeway. It's the most peaceful time at West Lake.
Skip the tourist shops and go to Meijiawu or Longjing Village to buy tea directly from the growers. You'll get fresher tea at better prices, plus a free tea-tasting session. Your driver knows the best family-run farms.
Hangzhou's public bike system is excellent. Rent a bike and cycle around the lake — it's flat, scenic, and the bike lanes are well-maintained. The 15 km loop takes about 2 hours with stops for photos.
Spring: Peach blossoms at Breeze-Ruffled Lotus at Quyuan. Summer: Lotus flowers at West Lake. Autumn: Osmanthus flowers — Hangzhou's city flower. Winter: Snow on the Broken Bridge.
This historic restaurant on Gushan Island has been serving West Lake Fish in Sweet and Sour Sauce since 1848. It's touristy but authentic. Book a window table for lake views. Your driver can drop you at the ferry pier.
With a private car, you can visit Suzhou's gardens (2 hours) or the ancient water town of Xitang (1.5 hours) and return to Hangzhou in the evening. Your driver waits at each location, giving you flexibility.
Explore the Jiangnan region with a private car and English-speaking driver.
Custom itineraries, flexible timing, and door-to-door service with an English-speaking driver.
Book a Hangzhou Day TripHeaven on Earth is beautiful in every season.
Mar–May · 12–22°C
Mild and blooming. Peach blossoms at Quyuan and willow trees along the lake. The most poetic season for West Lake.
Highlights: Longjing tea picking, flower festivals
Jun–Aug · 25–35°C
Hot and humid with lotus flowers in full bloom. Evening lake cruises and mountain retreats offer relief from the heat.
Highlights: Lotus viewing, Qiandao Lake swimming
Sep–Nov · 15–25°C
The best season — osmanthus flowers perfume the city, and the Mid-Autumn Festival moon over West Lake is legendary.
Highlights: Osmanthus season, Mid-Autumn Festival
Dec–Feb · 2–10°C
Cold and damp with occasional snow. The famous "Snow on the Broken Bridge" is a classic West Lake scene. Fewer tourists.
Highlights: Snow scenery, hot Longjing tea
A few words go a long way with your driver and locals.
你好
Hello — The universal greeting. Your driver will appreciate the effort.
谢谢
Thank you — Use it often. Chinese people value politeness highly.
我想去...
I want to go to... — Essential for telling your driver the destination.
多少钱？
How much is this? — Useful for buying Longjing tea and silk.
厕所在哪里？
Where is the bathroom? — Always good to know when exploring.
Fixed price, English-speaking driver, free flight tracking. From HGH to any Hangzhou hotel or West Lake.
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Direct airport transfer to Hangzhou West Lake area.
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