FAQ's
Hangzhou
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Frequently asked questions
The best times are spring (March–May) (when cherry blossoms and osmanthus bloom around West Lake) and autumn (September–November) (mild weather, clear skies for lake views). Avoid summer (June–August) (hot, humid, and crowded with domestic tourists) and Chinese New Year (January–February) (many local shops/restaurants close temporarily, and attractions get busy).
Look for three key signs: ① Origin labels: Authentic Longjing (from Longjing Village) has a government-issued “Geographical Indication” sticker. ② Appearance: Real Longjing leaves are flat, smooth, and bright green (not dull or unevenly colored). ③ Taste: Brewed authentic Longjing has a fresh, nutty flavor with no bitter aftertaste—ask to sample before buying. Stick to family-run tea farms in Longjing Village instead of street vendors for better quality.
For Lingyin Temple: Yes, it’s recommended to book tickets online 1–2 days in advance (via the official “Hangzhou Tourism” app or third-party platforms like Fliggy) to skip long on-site lines, especially during weekends or holidays. For West Lake boat tours: Most wooden boat rentals (operated by locals) don’t require advance booking—you can buy tickets directly at lake piers (e.g., Solitary Hill Pier, Broken Bridge Pier). However, large cruise ships may sell out during peak hours, so arriving early (before 10 AM) is wise.
High-speed trains are the best option! From Hangzhou East Railway Station, high-speed trains to Shanghai take just 1–1.5 hours (¥50–¥80 one-way), and to Suzhou take 1.5–2 hours (¥60–¥90 one-way). Book tickets via the 12306 app (English version available) or at the station—book 3–5 days in advance for weekends/holidays to secure seats.
Yes! ① West Lake South Bank: Budget hotels (¥150–¥300/night) here are within walking distance of West Lake and have easy access to subway Line 1. ② Qinghefang Ancient Street Area: Affordable guesthouses (¥120–¥250/night) near local markets and Lingyin Temple—great for experiencing night life. ③ Xiaoshan District: Cheaper options (¥100–¥200/night) with subway Line 2 connecting to West Lake in 30 minutes, ideal for travelers on a tight budget.
Most large restaurants, hotels, and shopping malls accept foreign credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) and Apple Pay. However, small local eateries, street food stalls, and markets often only accept Alipay/WeChat Pay or cash. To set up Alipay as a foreigner: Use your passport to verify your account, then link a foreign credit card (note: some small merchants may not support foreign-card Alipay transactions, so carry small amounts of cash (¥200–¥500) as a backup).
Yes, biking is one of the best ways to explore West Lake—and it’s very safe! Hangzhou has a well-developed public bike-share system (“Hangzhou Public Bike”) and many private bike rental shops (¥20–¥50/day for a standard bike). Rules to follow: ① Stick to dedicated bike lanes (red-paved paths around West Lake) to avoid traffic. ② Don’t ride on pedestrian-only areas (e.g., Broken Bridge). ③ Return bikes to designated docks (for public bikes) or rental shops before dark—most areas don’t have bike lights for night riding.
Yes! Most family-run tea farms in Longjing Village offer tea picking and roasting experiences for tourists—they’re a great way to dive into local tea culture. Prior booking is recommended (especially during spring, March–May, when new Longjing tea buds are at their best and farms get busy). You can book directly by contacting farms via local travel platforms (e.g., Ctrip, Fliggy) or through your hotel’s concierge—many hotels partner with nearby farms to arrange experiences. For last-minute plans, some smaller farms may accept walk-ins, but availability isn’t guaranteed.
A standard experience usually lasts 2–3 hours and includes: ① A short tutorial from local tea farmers (they’ll teach you how to pick only the top 1–2 buds + 1 leaf—this is the “premium grade” for Longjing tea); ② 30–60 minutes of hands-on tea picking in the farm’s terraced fields (you can keep a small portion of the tea you pick as a souvenir); ③ A tea roasting demo (farmers use traditional iron woks over low heat to roast the leaves—you may even get to try stirring the leaves under their guidance); ④ A tea tasting session (you’ll sample freshly brewed Longjing tea made from the farm’s harvest, paired with local snacks like osmanthus cakes). Most experiences cost ¥150–¥300 per person, depending on the farm and season.
There’s no strict dress code, but wear comfortable, lightweight clothing (long sleeves are recommended to avoid sunburn or scratches from tea bushes) and closed-toe shoes with non-slip soles (tea fields can be damp, especially in the morning). Avoid wearing white or light-colored clothes—tea stains are hard to remove. Items to bring: ① Sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses (the sun can be strong in open tea fields); ② A small water bottle (stay hydrated during picking); ③ A camera (the terraced tea fields with West Lake in the distance make for beautiful photos!). Most farms provide small baskets for picking, so you don’t need to bring your own.
Absolutely! After the experience, you can purchase the tea you picked (it will be roasted and packaged by the farm on the same day) or other grades of Longjing tea from the farm’s shop. The price depends on the tea grade (spring harvest is more expensive than autumn, usually ¥800–¥2,000 per 500g for premium spring Longjing) and the amount you buy. Farms often offer gift packaging for travelers, and they can help ship the tea to your home country (just note that some countries have restrictions on importing loose tea—check your home country’s customs rules first). Unlike street vendors, farm-bought tea is guaranteed authentic, so it’s a great souvenir.
Yes, they’re family-friendly! Kids love the hands-on aspect of picking tea leaves, and farmers often adjust the tutorial to be simpler for younger children (e.g., teaching them to spot the right buds, letting them stir the roasting leaves gently). Most farms have shaded areas for parents to rest if kids get tired, and the tea tasting session with snacks is usually a hit with little ones. Just keep in mind that tea fields have small slopes, so supervise young kids closely to avoid falls. It’s a fun way to teach kids about Chinese tea culture while spending time outdoors!