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July 25, 2025
5-Day Romantic Hangzhou Itinerary for Couples: Explore Culture & Cuisine on a Mid-Range Budget
Discover Hangzhou's poetic charm with this curated couples' travel guide covering top attractions, local food, and hidden gems.
Couples TravelCity ExplorationMid-Range Travel
Quick Overview
Chinese Name: 杭州
Location: Zhejiang Province, East China
Famous For: West Lake Scenery,Silk Culture,Longjing Tea,Ancient Architecture
Daily Cost: ¥300-500 per couple
Best Season: March-May, September-November
Introduction: Why Hangzhou Captivates Couples
Hangzhou, often described as 'Heaven on Earth', offers a perfect romantic escape with its serene West Lake, picturesque gardens, and centuries-old temples. This five-day itinerary balances iconic landmarks with intimate experiences, from tea plantation walks to lantern-lit cruises, all while maintaining mid-range affordability for couples.
Best time to visit Hangzhou
Ideal Seasons: Spring (March-May) and Autumn (September-November) offer pleasant temperatures (15-25°C) with minimal rainfall.
🌱Spring: Cherry blossoms at太子湾公园 and peach blossoms along West Lake make March-April visually stunning. Consider participating in the West Lake Flower Festival.
☀️Summer: June-August brings high humidity (35°C+) but offers unique experiences like lotus-filled ponds at曲院风荷 and evening strolls along北山街.
🍁Autumn: September-November features crisp air and vibrant foliage at满陇桂雨, with optimal conditions for hiking at五云山.
❄️Winter: December-February sees fewer tourists and occasional snowfall at灵隐寺. Enjoy hotpot at河坊街 food stalls while maintaining budget flexibility.
Arriving and leaving Hangzhou
Metro (Lines 1-6 cover 90% attractions), bike-sharing (20,000+ docks around West Lake), and Didi (¥15-30 for short trips). Purchase a Hangzhou Transportation Card for seamless transfers.
Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport [Recommended]
28km from West Lake. Airport Express (Line 1) reaches city center in 40 minutes (¥8). Taxis cost ¥120-150 (30-45 minutes). Over 500 daily international flights.
Hangzhou East Railway Station
High-speed rail hub with connections to Shanghai (19min via G7577), Beijing (4.5hr). Metro Line 4 connects to West Lake (7km, 20min). Taxis: ¥60 (15min)
Where to stay in Hangzhou: Best Neighborhoods
West Lake District
Luxury options like The Westlake Six Seasons Art Hotel (¥900/night) offer lake views. Mid-range choices include Ziinlife (Jianguo) Hotel (¥450/night) with easy access to cultural sites.
Qianjiang New City
Modern accommodations like Wyndham Grand Plaza Royale (¥800/night) with riverside views. Connects to West Lake via Metro Line 4 in 15 minutes.
Top Things to do in Hangzhou
West Lake
Cruise or bike ride around the UNESCO-listed lake, visiting iconic spots like Broken Bridge (断桥残雪) and Three Pools Mirroring the Moon.
Lingyin Temple
Explore China's largest Buddhist monastery with 1,700+ year history, featuring the massive Grand Hall of the Great Sage and Precious Stone Forest rock carvings.
West Lake Cultural Square
Modern complex with Zhejiang Provincial Museum (free entry) showcasing regional history and Hangzhou Opera House for traditional performances.
Tips
Purchase a combined ticket for West Lake's main attractions (¥75) for 40% discount vs individual entries. Book West Lake cruise (¥50/couple) online to avoid queues.
What to eat: Hangzhou Food Guide
Recommended Restaurants
1. Gourmet Secret Garden (私家菜馆)
Romantic setting with courtyard garden serving modernized Hangzhou cuisine. Must-try: Tea-smoked pigeon. Reservations recommended. (人均¥150)
2. Nanshan Night Market
Street food paradise near West Lake with over 50 food stalls offering local favorites like spicy crayfish (十三香小龙虾) and sweet osmanthus cakes (桂花糕).
Signature Dishes
1. West Lake Vinegar Fish
Sweet-and-sour freshwater fish dish using carp from West Lake itself, best enjoyed at Louwailou Restaurant (楼外楼).
2. Longjing Shrimps
Tea-infused shrimp dish combining Hangzhou's famous Longjing Tea with seafood, available at Hu Jia Le Restaurant (湖景嘉)
Hangzhou Itinerary 5 Days
DAY 1
🍳Breakfast at Xian Heng Restaurant:Try local breakfast staples like pork bone soup with pickled vegetables
Visit Leifeng Pagoda:Ascend the modern pagoda for panoramic West Lake views, especially beautiful at sunset
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