China travel
Hangzhou
Hangzhou is a large city near Shanghai. The city is well known in China for its scenic sights and historical heritage. It attracts millions of tourists every year. The West Lake is the most popular attraction. The East side of the West Lake is the part with the most 'action': here are the pedestrian zones with the restaurants, terraces and other leisure. (Lakeside Pedestrian Street and Huancheng Road).
airport
Xiaoshan International Airport is located 30 km from Hangzhou. It has international flights to Singapore, Bangkok, Seoul, Tokyo, and Osaka and the main cities in China. With the airport shuttle bus it is about 45 minutes to Hangzhou. Fare is 15 Yuan. We paid 120 Yuan in August 2009 for a taxi to downtown.
taxi
Start rate for the first 3 kms is 10 Yuan. For each kilometer more, about 2 Yuan will be added. A taxi from the airport to Hangzhou is about 120 Yuan. There are many tourists in Hangzhou so getting a taxi can sometimes be hard.
train
Hangzhou is directly connected with many other cities in China. Hangzhou Railway Station is in the center of the city. To Shanghai (180km) are many trains daily. The fast train to Shanghai South Station takes less than 1 hour and 30 minutes. Fare for a soft seat first class is 64 Yuan. A soft seat second class is 53 Yuan. To obtain the first class soft seat ticket in the fast train, buy a ticket in advance (hotel or station).
bus
Air conditioning city buses cost 2 Yuan, non air-con 1 Yuan. In Hangzhou are many buses with tour groups.
bicycle
Renting a bike is easy in Hangzhou. Many bicycle rental spots are located around the West Lake. A deposit is required (200/300 Yuan). Rate is about 10 Yuan/hour. Walking around the West Lake takes only a couple of hours. A bicycle is very handy if you want to visit temples or/and scenic sights more far away from the lake. Another good thing of the bike rental is that you don't have to return the bike to the same place as where you hired it.
hotels
Top luxury hotels are Hyatt Regency Hangzhou (close to the music fountain), Shangri-La Hotel and Sofitel West Lake. Ramada Plaza is an affordable 4star hotel with a good location (downtown and near the lake). Cheap hotel is the Hangzhou International Youth Hostel, No.101-3 Nanshan Road
metro
Scheduled to be opened in 2011.
Leifeng Pagoda Hangzhou
West Lake Hangzhou (view from Leifeng Pagoda)
West Lake
The West Lake is the top tourist attraction in Hangzhou. During our holiday in 2009 we walked slowly in 7 hours around the lake. If you don't want to walk all the way: little passenger boats sail to the small islands on the lake or to the other side. On one side of the lake are terraces and restaurants.
other Hangzhou attractions
- Leifeng Pagoda: beautiful views of the West Lake
- National Silk Museum
- Grand Canal: 1,764 km man-made waterway
- Six Harmonies Pagoda
- Lingyin Temple
shopping & leisure
Yanan Road: city's commercial center, shopping street 3 km
Carrefour Supermarket: No.135 Yanan Road
China Silk City: large outdoor silk market,253 Xinhua Road
Wushan Road market: souvenirs
Bike rental in Hangzhou
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