Get Your Travel Plan
July 25, 2025
5-Day Hangzhou Solo Travel Guide: Exploring West Lake and Beyond
Budget-friendly mid-range itinerary for independent travelers
HangzhouSolo TravelCity ExplorationMid-Range Travel
Quick Overview
Chinese Name: 杭州
Location: Zhejiang Province, Eastern China
Famous For: West Lake,Silk culture,Longjing tea
Daily Cost: $60-80 USD
Best Season: Spring/Autumn
Why Visit Hangzhou
Hangzhou combines West Lake's poetic landscapes with West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy's culinary delights. As an ancient capital, it offers Lingyin Temple's Buddhist heritage alongside modern Wangchao Road Night Market bustle, perfect for solo travelers.
Best Time to Visit Hangzhou
Ideal Seasons: March-May & September-November
🌱Spring: 12-20°C, blooming Bailong Well Park plum blossoms, fewer crowds
☀️Summer: 30-35°C, lotus season at Quyuan Fenghe, use water taxis
🍁Autumn: 15-25°C, Manlong Sweet-scented Osmanthus festival, autumn foliage
❄️Winter: 5-12°C, snow-covered Baochu Pagoda, hot tea experiences
Arriving and Leaving Hangzhou
Metro (Lines 1-5), bike-sharing (Hello Bike), and Didi for point-to-point. Buy a Hangzhou Metro Tourist Card (¥20/day).
Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport [Recommended]
27km from West Lake (¥100 taxi, 40 mins), metro Line 1 connects to downtown
Hangzhou East Railway Station
15km from West Lake (¥40 taxi, 30 mins), metro Lines 1/4 available
Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Hangzhou
West Lake District
Close to Leifeng Pagoda and Hefang Street, with lakeside views and easy access to gardens
Gongshu District
Modern hotels near Grand Canal cultural areas, more affordable than lakeside
Top Things to do in Hangzhou
West Lake
UNESCO site with Ten Classical Scenic Views like Sudi in Spring and Three Pools Mirroring the Moon. Rent a boat (¥40/hour) to explore.
Lingyin Temple
China's largest Buddhist monastery complex (admission ¥75), famous for 33m Maitreya Statue and ancient ginkgos
Xixi National Wetland Park
Water village ecosystem (admission ¥80) where you can cruise through 50km waterways and visit tea houses
Tips
Visit West Lake in early morning to avoid crowds. Wear comfortable shoes for temple visits.
Hangzhou Food Guide
Recommended Restaurants
1. Louwailou Restaurant
Lakeside landmark (est.1848) serving classic Hangbang cuisine - Try their West Lake Vinegar Fish
2. Gourmonda Restaurant
Modern take on traditional dishes with garden views - Signature Tea-smoked Duck
3. Wangchao Road Night Market
Street food haven (7pm-2am) with regional specialties from Wenzhou Soup Dumplings to Jianqiao Fried Chicken
Signature Dishes
1. West Lake Vinegar Fish
Sweet-and-sour carp caught from West Lake, best at Louwailou Restaurant
2. Dongpo Pork
Braised pork dish (¥38-68) honoring poet Su Dongpo, available at most Hangbang restaurants
3. Longjing Shrimp
Freshwater shrimp cooked with West Lake's famous Longjing Tea, available at Gourmonda Restaurant
Hangzhou Itinerary 5 Days
DAY 1
🍳Breakfast at Wangchao Road Night Market:Try local staples like Cong You Bing scallion pancakes
Visit Leifeng Pagoda:Panoramic views of West Lake and stories of White Snake legend
🥗Lunch at Louwailou Restaurant:Dine on traditional Hangbang cuisine with lake vistas
Stroll Bailong Well Park:Explore plum blossom gardens and teahouses
🍽️Dinner at Gourmonda Restaurant:Modern interpretations of classic Hangzhou flavors
DAY 2
🍳Breakfast at Zhiweiguan:Iconic Xiaolongbao soup dumplings since 1924
Visit Lingyin Temple:Morning prayers and architecture tour through 'Temple of Heaven'
🥗Lunch at Shuguang Restaurant:Local favorite for Shiitake Chicken Soup and street views
Tea Ceremony at Longjing Village:Tea plantation tour and Longjing Tea tasting (¥45 for 2-hour session)
🍽️Dinner at Huguo Renjia:Classic Hangbang dishes including Tea-smoked Duck
DAY 3
🍳Breakfast at Caiyuanju Restaurant:Traditional Mao Dun buns and Wonton Soup
Visit Zhejiang Provincial Museum:Exhibits on Hangzhou's silk and porcelain history
🥗Lunch at Jade Emperor Pavilion:Scenic temple restaurant with mountain views and Tea Fried Rice
Explore Xixi Wetland Park:Boat ride through water villages and calligraphy exhibitions
🍽️Dinner at Hanshou Si Ji Restaurant:Creative takes on Hangbang classics with modern presentation
DAY 4
🍳Breakfast at Lou Wai Lou:Early morning dim sum and lake views
Train to Wuzhen Water Town:3-hour guided tour of ancient bridges and silk workshops
🥗Lunch at Shui Shang Fang Restaurant:Canal-side dining with Braised River Shrimp specialty
Explore Wuzhen Ancient Town:Visit traditional teahouses and woodblock print workshops
🍽️Dinner at Lian Hua Restaurant:Taste of Tea Cake and White Fish in Broth
DAY 5
🍳Breakfast at Starbucks Reserve Hangzhou:Lake view coffee with Hangzhou-style Osmanthus Latte
Visit China National Silk Museum:History of the Silk Road with live silk production demonstrations
🥗Lunch at Cuiyun Restaurant:Local favorite for Braised Pig's Knuckle (¥38 portion)
Shop at MixC Mall Hangzhou:Modern shopping complex with luxury brands and rooftop garden views
🍽️Final Dinner at The One 19 Restaurant:Fusion of Hangzhou flavors with international cuisine
Hangzhou Travel FAQs
Welcome to China
Go2China
Your AI-powered China travel companion