Zhejiang
Zhejiang is a featured travel region of China with 20 highlighted destinations. This guide is being expanded with practical visitor information, travel tips, maps, FAQs, and more.
Quick Facts
- Region type: Province
- Destinations covered: 20
- Country: China
Top destinations in Zhejiang
West Lake Hangzhou
Wuzhen Water Town
Xitang Water Town
Lingyin Temple
Qiandao Lake
Mount Putuo
Hengdian World Studios
Ningbo
Shaoxing
Moganshan
Hangzhou Grand Canal
Leifeng Pagoda
Xixi Wetland
Yandang Mountain
Nanxun Ancient Town
Wenzhou
Tiantai Mountain
Linhai Ancient City
Zhoushan Islands
China National Tea Museum
Best Time to Visit
Zhejiang has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are the best seasons, when West Lake's gardens bloom with lotus in summer transitioning to osmanthus fragrance in autumn, and canal-town scenery in Wuzhen and Xitang is at its most pleasant for walking without summer's heavy humidity across the province.
How to Reach / Travel Access
Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport serves the provincial capital with domestic and regional international connections. High-speed rail makes Hangzhou an easy add-on to a Shanghai-based trip, with journeys of around 45 minutes to an hour between the two cities, and further connections onward to Wuzhen, Xitang, and other water towns within the province's extensive canal network.
Travel Tips
West Lake is best explored by rental bike or one of the small boats that cross the water, both offering a different pace than walking its full perimeter. Wuzhen and Xitang water towns are especially atmospheric in the evening, when lanterns and lit facades reflect on the canals. Mount Putuo, a Buddhist pilgrimage island, is reached only by ferry.
Region Map
This section is being updated and will be available shortly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I visit Hangzhou as a day trip from Shanghai?
Yes, high-speed trains take under an hour, making West Lake an easy day trip from Shanghai, though an overnight stay allows time to see the lake at both sunset and early morning.
Which water town should I choose, Wuzhen or Xitang?
Wuzhen is more polished and includes a paid, well-preserved historic zone, while Xitang has a slightly more lived-in, unscripted atmosphere with narrow covered walkways along its canals.
How do I get to Mount Putuo?
Mount Putuo is an island reached by ferry from Zhoushan or Ningbo, and as a major Buddhist pilgrimage site, visitors should expect crowds around its temples during religious festivals.
Is Qiandao Lake worth a visit?
Yes, this large reservoir dotted with over a thousand islands offers boat tours, water sports, and a scenic escape from Hangzhou, making it a popular weekend trip for a change of pace.