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Zhejiang · 杭州

Hangzhou

Watch boats on West Lake, then follow the hills into Longjing tea country.

Two tea pickers in broad hats bend over rows of tea bushes in Hangzhou.
Tea picking in HangzhouTea pickers work by hand in the hills of Hangzhou.

West Lake’s causeways, lakeside gardens and the hills toward Longjing.

What to see

The silhouette of Leifeng Pagoda and a pavilion roof beside West Lake at sunset.
West LakeA pavilion roof frames Leifeng Pagoda as the sun sets over West Lake.
Buddhist figures carved into the rock at Feilai Peak, framed by leafy branches.
Feilai PeakLeaves frame the Buddhist figures cut into the rock near Lingyin Temple.

Hangzhou through the year

UNESCO · West Lake

March–May

Spring

New leaves and blossom trace the causeways. Look for boats and pavilions through light morning haze.

June–August

Summer

Look for lotus flowers along the shore, or head into the hills for a change from the humid lakeside.

September–November

Autumn

Look for boats moving through the early mist before the causeways get busy.

December–February

Winter

Bare branches and low mist give the lake its quietest outlines. A snowfall is possible rather than a given.