east · Zhejiang (Extended) (Zhèjiāng)
Zhejiang (Extended) Travel Guide
Zhejiang is the other half of "Jiangnan" — south of the Yangtze. Its capital Hangzhou was described by Marco Polo as "the finest and most splendid city in the world."
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TL;DR
Eastern province with the UNESCO West Lake cultural landscape, Longjing tea hills, and the romantic water towns of Wuzhen and Xitang.
Quick facts
| Capital | Hangzhou |
|---|---|
| Population | 65.8 million |
| Area | 105,500 km² |
| Best season | March–May and September–November |
| Famous for | West Lake (UNESCO), Longjing tea, Wuzhen water town, Buddhist mountain temples |
| UNESCO sites | 2 sites |
Why visit Zhejiang (Extended)
For West Lake — UNESCO cultural landscape with 1,000 years of poetry inscribed on every bridge and pavilion. For Longjing (Dragon Well) green tea. For Wuzhen or Xitang, the most romantic water towns.
Key cities
UNESCO World Heritage sites in Zhejiang (Extended)
- West Lake Cultural Landscape (inscribed 2011)
- The Grand Canal (inscribed 2014)
Getting there & around
Getting there: Hangzhou Xiaoshan (HGH) airport. HSR from Shanghai: 45 min. From Beijing: 4.5h.
Getting around: Hangzhou has a modern metro. West Lake area is best explored by bike or on foot. Water towns are accessible by tourist bus.
Suggested itineraries
2 days — West Lake Weekend
Day 1: West Lake (boat ride, Su Causeway, Lingyin Temple). Day 2: Longjing tea plantation + Hefang Ancient Street.
4 days — Hangzhou + Wuzhen
Day 1-2 Hangzhou, Day 3-4 Wuzhen overnight stay.
Local cuisine
Dongpo Pork (Dōngpō ròu)
Braised pork belly named after Song Dynasty poet Su Dongpo — Hangzhou's signature dish
Longjing Shrimp (Lóngjǐng xiā)
Tea-flavored shrimp with Longjing green tea leaves — Hangzhou specialty
Frequently asked questions
Is Hangzhou worth a day trip from Shanghai?
Yes — 45 min by HSR. One day covers West Lake, Lingyin Temple, and Longjing tea.
When is West Lake best?
March-April (cherry blossoms) and October-November (autumn colors). Avoid Chinese national holidays.
Wuzhen or Xitang?
Wuzhen is more developed, with bigger crowds. Xitang is more atmospheric and lived-in. Both are excellent.