Hangzhou overview 杭州

About Hangzhou

Causeways divide the water into changing views, and Baochu Pagoda gives the northern skyline a slender landmark. The Grand Canal adds a separate working-waterway history to the city’s former role as a capital. Start with a focused lakeside circuit before adding the canal or Liangzhu: these belong to a wider destination and should not be compressed into a single short walk.

Human activity in the area extends back about eight thousand years, as represented by the Kuahuqiao site (跨湖桥遗址). The later Liangzhu culture developed jade carving and early urban settlements. The name Hangzhou appeared under the Sui dynasty, when it became a prefectural seat in 589; city walls followed two years later. The Grand Canal (京杭大运河) reached its full length by 609.

The city later served as the capital of the Wuyue kingdom and the Southern Song dynasty. It is among China's first designated Historical and Cultural Cities (历史文化名城). Three World Heritage properties are represented within its territory: the West Lake Cultural Landscape (杭州西湖文化景观), the Grand Canal and the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City (良渚古城遗址). The West Lake landscape was inscribed on 24 June 2011.

What to look for

• West Lake’s causeways organize views between open water, islands and hills.
• Baochu Pagoda marks the northern hill landscape above the lake.

The surrounding area

Provincial capital and base for West Lake, tea country and a separate Liangzhu visit.

Location & getting there

Getting to Hangzhou

Hangzhou East railway station provides a major intercity arrival point with metro connections. Continue to the West Lake area using the current urban network, choosing the shore nearest the first stop.