Zhejiang 浙江 — West Lake and Water Towns
Zhejiang is one of China's wealthiest and most culturally rich provinces. The capital Hangzhou (杭州) is famous for West Lake (西湖) — one of China's most iconic landscapes, immortalized by poets for over 1,000 years. Beyond the city, Zhejiang offers water towns (水镇), tea mountains, Buddhist pilgrimage sites, and coastal islands.
Hangzhou 杭州 — West Lake Paradise
West Lake 西湖
A UNESCO World Heritage Site. West Lake is the heart of Hangzhou and Chinese landscape aesthetics — pagodas, temples, gardens, islands, bridges, and the famous "Ten Scenes of West Lake" (西湖十景). The lake is 6.3 km² with a circumference of 15 km. Walk, cycle, or take a boat to explore.
Free. Boat ride: 35-55 RMB. Best viewing: Su Causeway (苏堤), Bai Causeway (白堤), Three Pools Mirroring the Moon (三潭印月 — on the 1 RMB note). Sunset at Leifeng Pagoda (雷峰塔).
Lingyin Temple 灵隐寺
One of China's most famous Buddhist temples, founded in 326 AD. The complex includes the Peak that Flew from Afar (飞来峰) — a limestone hill with 340+ carved Buddhist figures from the 10th-14th centuries. The main temple has five halls.
Admission: 30 RMB (grounds) + 30 RMB (temple). Open: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM. 5 km west of West Lake.
Hefang Street 河坊街
A historic pedestrian street near West Lake, with traditional shops, tea houses, and pharmacies. The Hu Qing Yu Tang Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum (胡庆余堂中药博物馆) is a restored 1874 pharmacy.
Free. Metro: Ding'an Road Station.
Longjing Tea Village 龙井村
The source of China's most famous green tea — Longjing (Dragon Well) tea. The village is surrounded by tea plantations. Visit the tea fields, drink fresh tea at a farmhouse, and learn about the cultivation process.
Free to visit. Tea tasting: 50-100 RMB. Located 5 km from West Lake.
Wuzhen Water Town 乌镇
One of China's best-preserved water towns. Canals, bridges, wooden houses, and narrow alleyways. Unlike Zhouzhuang (more commercial), Wuzhen retains more authenticity. Two sections: West Scenic Zone (larger, more attractions) and East Scenic Zone (smaller, quieter).
Admission: West Zone 150 RMB, East Zone 110 RMB. Best: Stay overnight for the night scenery. Located 80 km from Hangzhou. Bus or train to Tongxiang, then local bus.
Putuo Mountain 普陀山
One of China's Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains — sacred to Guanyin (Bodhisattva of Compassion). Putuoshan is an island in the Zhoushan archipelago, accessible by boat. Over 30 temples and monasteries, including the Puji Temple (普济寺), Fayu Temple (法雨寺), and Huiji Temple (慧济寺). The island also has beaches and hiking trails.
Admission: 160 RMB (seasonal). Boat from Zhoushan: 10-20 RMB. Access: Bus from Hangzhou to Zhoushan (3 hours), then ferry. Plan 1-2 days.
Ningbo 宁波
A coastal city and trading port since the Tang Dynasty. Key sites:
- Tianyi Pavilion 天一阁: China's oldest surviving private library (built 1561)
- Hemudu Site 河姆渡遗址: Neolithic archaeological site, 7,000 years old
Practical Information
Airports: Hangzhou Xiaoshan (HGH) — main hub. Ningbo Lishe (NGB) for coastal access.
High-speed trains: Hangzhou-Shanghai: 1 hour. Hangzhou-Ningbo: 1.5 hours.
Best Time: Spring (March-May) for flowers. Summer is hot but good for lotus at West Lake. Autumn (September-November) for tea.
Food: Dongpo Pork (东坡肉), West Lake Vinegar Fish (西湖醋鱼), Longjing Shrimp (龙井虾仁), Beggar's Chicken (叫化鸡).