Hangzhou Practical Tips

As the home of Alibaba and one of China's most digitally advanced cities, Hangzhou is surprisingly easy for international travelers to navigate. Here's your complete practical guide.

Getting to Hangzhou

### By Air Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH) is 27 km east of the city center, with direct flights to major Asian cities and seasonal European routes.

**Airport to City Center:** - **Airport Express Train:** 15 minutes to East Railway Station, then metro to West Lake. Fast and affordable. - **Airport Bus:** Multiple routes, ¥20-30, 45-60 minutes to city center. - **Taxi/DiDi:** About ¥130-150, 40-60 minutes depending on traffic.

### By High-Speed Rail Hangzhou East Station is a major HSR hub: - Shanghai → Hangzhou: 45-60 minutes (one of China's busiest routes) - Beijing → Hangzhou: 4.5-5 hours - Nanjing → Hangzhou: 1-1.5 hours - Huangshan → Hangzhou: 1.5 hours

Metro Line 1 connects East Station directly to the West Lake area in about 30 minutes.

Visa-Free Transit

Hangzhou participates in the **144-hour visa-free transit** policy. Citizens of 54 countries can stay up to 6 days without a visa when transiting through Xiaoshan Airport. Travel is permitted within Zhejiang, Shanghai, and Jiangsu provinces — meaning you could combine Hangzhou with Shanghai, Suzhou, or Nanjing on a single visa-free transit.

Money & Payments

Hangzhou is the birthplace of Alipay (Alibaba's payment platform), making it one of the most cashless cities in the world. Even street food vendors, temples, and public buses accept mobile payments.

**For international visitors:** - Link your Visa/Mastercard to **Alipay** via the Tour Pass feature - **WeChat Pay** also works with international cards - Carry ¥300-500 cash as emergency backup - Most hotels and upscale restaurants accept international credit cards

Business Travel

Hangzhou is a major tech hub: - **Alibaba Group HQ:** Located in Xixi area, campus tours sometimes available - **Future Sci-Tech City (未来科技城):** Home to many startups and tech companies - **Binjiang Hi-Tech Zone:** Major IT and software development district - **Xiaoshan Economic Development Zone:** Manufacturing and logistics

**Business Hotels:** Four Seasons at West Lake (luxury), Wyndham Grand Plaza (business), and Hyatt Regency (near East Station) are popular choices.

Getting Around

**Metro:** Hangzhou's metro system has 12 lines covering most tourist areas and business districts. Fares ¥2-8. Use Alipay to scan QR codes at gates — no ticket needed.

**Shared Bikes:** Hangzhou pioneered China's bike-sharing system. Scan with Alipay to unlock bikes stationed throughout the city. Perfect for West Lake exploration.

**DiDi:** Works seamlessly. The app shows English addresses.

Internet & Communication

Purchase a prepaid SIM at the airport. Google services are blocked; use Baidu Maps for navigation. WeChat is essential for communication in China. Download a VPN before arrival if you need access to Western social media.

Weather

Hangzhou has a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are hot and humid (35°C+). Spring and autumn are delightful. The plum rain season (梅雨) runs from mid-June to early July with persistent drizzle.