City in Zhejiang, China
Hangzhou
A scenic, tech-rich city around West Lake, with tea villages and easy trains from Shanghai. Good for slow trips and remote work; prices are high, summers hot and holidays crowded.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$1,270–2,090Comfortable, one person · ¥8,500–14,000Details
- Value for money54/100Better value than 53% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMar–May, Oct–NovWarmest: Jul, 33°CDetails
- Air quality30.2 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2024) · Very pollutedDetails
- Internet238 MbpsFixed broadband, China medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDrink bottled or boiled water; hotels provide kettles.Details
- LGBTQ+3/5Tolerant, but be discreetDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: limitedDetails
- Doctor's visit$45–179Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundDiDiWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardPractically cashlessAlibaba's home city is nearly cashless: Alipay and WeChat Pay work everywhere.Details
Where to stay in Hangzhou
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| West Lake–Hubin | First-timers: lake walks, hotels, shopping |
| Wulin–Qingchun Road | Central, metro hub, restaurants, hostels |
| Binjiang | Tech district, newer apartments, riverside |
| Longjing–Meijiawu | Tea villages, quiet guesthouses |
Apps that work in Hangzhou
Ride-hailing
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| DiDi | Dominant; pay via Alipay |
Food delivery
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Meituan | Widest choice; Chinese-only, needs Alipay or local number |
| Ele.me | Alibaba's app, home city; works via Alipay |
- Maps: Amap or Apple Maps (Google Maps is blocked and inaccurate)
- Messaging: WeChat
- Alipay: Payments, DiDi rides and metro QR codes
- WeChat Pay: Backup payments and mini-program bookings
- Trip.com: Train and hotel bookings in English
- Taxis: Use DiDi or metered taxis; avoid touts at stations and West Lake piers.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in China.
- Practically cashless Alibaba's home city is nearly cashless: Alipay and WeChat Pay work everywhere. Carry a little yuan as backup.
- Currency: Yuan Renminbi (CNY). US$1 ≈ ¥6.71 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Bank of China, ICBC and other big-bank ATMs take Visa and Mastercard; per-withdrawal limits are low and fees vary.
- Tipping: Not expected; some upscale hotels and restaurants add a service charge.
- Paying by phone: Alipay and WeChat Pay with foreign Visa or Mastercard work almost everywhere; small fee on larger payments. Apple Pay rarely.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Many nationalities get 30-day visa-free entry until 31 Dec 2026; others need a visa before travel.
- 240-hour visa-free transit needs a confirmed onward ticket to a third country; stay within the 24 eligible provinces.
- Fill in the arrival card online at s.nia.gov.cn before landing, or on paper; fingerprints are taken.
Emergency numbers
Police 110 · Ambulance 120 · Fire 119 · Tourist police 12301
Plugs
Type A, C, I · 220 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Airport counters sell local SIMs with passport registration; a roaming SIM or travel eSIM bought abroad is simpler and avoids blocked sites. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in China
Going to Hangzhou solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Hangzhou meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.