Home
Hangzhou
5 days

5 Days in Hangzhou

"Five days to fully appreciate Hangzhou's natural beauty, Buddhist heritage, and tea culture.".

Last updated: September 13, 2026

Browse all itineraries →

Best time: March-May or September-NovemberBudget: mid-range

Quick Answer

Is 5 days enough for Hangzhou?

5 days is the sweet spot for Hangzhou: enough time for the must-sees plus one day trip or food/rest day.

Source: NihaoVisit Hangzhou guide

5-day Hangzhou itinerary at a glance

Use our full Hangzhou travel guide as the base and adapt it to 5 days. The shortest 5-day trips should focus on the city's three signature attractions; longer stays add neighborhood walks, food markets, and a high-speed rail day trip.

West Lake (multiple visits)Lingyin Temple & Feilai FengLongjing Tea VillageGrand Canal boat rideXiang Lake & Hefang Street

Day 1

West Lake — Dawn

Su Causeway at sunrise. Bai Causeway, Broken Island.

west-lake

Day 2

West Lake — Islands & Pagodas

Boat to Xiaoying Island, Lu Realm, and Broken Island.

west-lake
leifeng-pagoda

Day 3

Lingyin Temple & Longjing

Arrive early at Lingyin (before 8 AM). Afternoon tea picking in Longjing village.

lingyin-temple

Day 4

Grand Canal

Boat from Gongshen to Dongguan. Historical canal architecture.

grand-canal-hangzhou

Day 5

Qiantang River & Museums

Six Harmonies Pagoda along Qiantang River. Hangzhou Museum.

hangzhou

Budget for 5 days in Hangzhou

Tier	Per day	5 days total
Backpacker	USD $50–$80	USD $250–$400
Mid-range	USD $100–$200	USD $500–$1,000
Luxury	USD $300+	USD $1,500+

Useful tools

Calculate your trip budget Build your custom China itinerary

Book your Hangzhou trip

TRIP.COMRecommended

Hotels, flights & tours

One-stop China trip booking · Foreign cards accepted

Hotels from $25/night

We may earn a commission when you book through these links. This does not affect our editorial recommendations.

Frequently asked questions

What is the daily budget for Hangzhou?

Budget travelers: USD $50–$80/day. Mid-range: $100–$200/day. Luxury: $300+/day. These cover hotel, three meals, transit, and one paid attraction per day.

Do I need a visa to visit Hangzhou?

It depends on your passport — see our <a href="/china-visa-2026/">China visa guide</a> for the latest country-by-country list. Most Western passport holders can enter visa-free for 30 days as of 2026.

How do I get from the airport to Hangzhou city center?

Hangzhou's main airport connects to the city center via metro, express train, or airport bus. See the airport transfer section of our Hangzhou guide.

Can I use 5 days for both Hangzhou and a side trip?

Tight. With only 5 days, focus on Hangzhou proper; save side trips for a future trip.

Is Hangzhou safe for tourists?

Yes. Hangzhou has very low violent crime rates and is widely considered safe for foreign tourists. Standard petty-theft precautions apply. See our <a href="/is-china-safe-2026/">is China safe</a> page.