Plan your Hangzhou tour? Hangzhou is inscribed on the list of World Cultural Heritage for its picturesque West Lake Scenic Area, which has greatly boosted the local tourism. The most used cliche describing Hangzhou is “Hangzhou is a paradise on earth”.
“Hangzhou is beyond dispute the finest and the noblest in the world” is another often quoted saying by the Venetian Marco Polo visited Hangzhou in the late 13th century.
Now you are going to explore the mesmerizing Hangzhou on your own. One question lingering in your mind is “where to stay in Hangzhou”. To answer this queston is largely contingent on your personal taste and budget.
A basic knowledge of the area you are going to stay is very important for you to choose your hotel in Hangzhou. Now I will provide you some useful information on the neighbourhoods and districts you possibly stay for your Hangzhou trip.
West Lake is a a lagoon type lake which is surrounded by the hills on three sides – north, south and west with its east meeting the city core of Hangzhou.
West Lake East Bank (Hubin Road)
Traditionally the city core of Hangzhou lies on the east of West Lake which is such named due to its location on the west of Hangzhou city center, hence West Lake.
The road paralleling the east bank of West Lake is officially known as “Hubin Road” which means “Lakeside Road” to the north and Nanshan Road to the south. So both Hubin Road and Nanshan Road are the most sought areas to stay in Hangzhou. Most of the hotels along Hubin Road and Nanshan Road have better chances for lakeview rooms with easy access to the lake itsself.
Recommended hotels on Hubin Road: Hyatt Regency Hangzhou No.28 Hubin Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou 310006, China Crystal Orange Hotel No.122 Qingbo Street, Nanshan Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou 311703, China
The City Core Area (Between Hubin and Hangzhou Railway Station)
Hangzhou Railway Station is on the west Hangzhou. The area between Hubin Road ( and Nanshan Road) and Hangzhou Railway Station is the city core of Hangzhou with numerous high-rises, shopping centers, various restaurants and so on.
The famous east-west Jiefang Avenue and the north-south Yan’an Avenue are located in the downtown area of Hangzhou. Many travelers choose to stay in the city center of Hangzhou, feeling the modern and trendy part of Hangzhou.
Recommended hotels in the city core: Wyndham Grand Plaza Royale Hangzhou No.555 Fengqi Road, Xiachang District, Hangzhou Goethe Hotel No.19 Xihu Avenue, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou
Wulin Square Area
Wulin Square is another business and commercial center to the north of the traditional city core between Hubin Road and Hangzhou Railway Station. Wulin Square is the largest public city square in Hangzhou. With the gravity of Hangzhou moving northwards, Wulin Square is becoming a new city center of Hangzhou. Hotels, restaurants, shopping centers are clustered around Wulin Square.
Recommended hotels in Wulin Square Area: JW Marriott Hotel Hangzhou No.28 Hushu South Road, Gongshu District, Hangzhou SanLi New Century Grand Hotel No.538 Shaoxing Road, Xiacheng District, Hangzhou
North of West Lake
Here north of West Lake refers to the two areas – On the north bank of West Lake and the area north of Baoshi Hill. The narrow bank area below Baoshi Hill along the north bank of West Lake used to be inhabited by celebrities in the past, which has left many famous villas and hotels. North of Boashi Hill is the newly developed and expanded area where many high learning institutes are located.
Recommended hotels in North of West Lake: Shangri La Hotel Hangzhou No.78 Beishan Road, Xihu Distric, Hangzhou Dragon Hotel No.120 Shuguang Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou Tea Boutique Hotel|
West of West Lake
The west of West Lake is a scenic area with green belts and forested hills. This area is teemed with hotels, government-run sanatoriums, hospitals.
Recommended hotels in West of West Lake: Four Seasons Hangzhou at West Lake No.5 Lingyin Road, Hangzhou 310013, China Banyan Tree Hangzhou No.21 Zijinggang Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou 310030, China
South of West Lake
South of West Lake is an arrow area between West Lake and South Hill featuring a scenic area.
Recommended hotels in South of West Lake: Zhejiang Xizi Hotel No.37 Nanshan Road, Hangzhou 310007, China Xihu State Guesthouse No.18 Yanggong Causeway, Xihu District, Hangzhou 310007, China
Hangzhou Railway Station
As a railway hub in Hangzhou, this area has attracted many hotels and office buildings.
Recommended hotels around Hangzhou Railway Station: Best Western Premier Hangzhou 31, Laozheda Henglu, Hangzhou Edinburgh Holiday Hotel Hangzhou 26 Qiutao Raod, Hangzhou Home Inn (Daxue Road 116, Daxue Road, Hangzhou
Tip: Hassle-free Hangzhou Guided Tours
If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours, here are some options for Hangzhou Guided Tours:
Hangzhou Tour
Hangzhou 4-Day Tour Package
Hangzhou 3-Day Tour Package
Hangzhou Private Tour
Hangzhou Theme Tour
Hangzhou Side Trips
Hangzhou Car Rental with Driver
Further Readings
Top 10 Attractions in Hangzhou
Top 10 Photography Spots in Hangzhou
Night View of West Lake in Hangzhou
The Best hiking trail in Hangzhou
The best time to visit Hangzhou
Hangzhou East Railway Station
Hangzhou Airport Arrival Hall
How to Visit Feilai Peak Grottoes in Hangzhou
Where to stay in Hangzhou
Hangzhou Bicycle Hire
Wushan Night Market in Hangzhou
Pedestrian Streets in Hangzhou
Hangzhou’s Best Bars & Nightclubs
Best Way to Visit Hangzhou from Shanghai
How to Visit Grand Canal Hangzhou
How to Visit Xiling Seal Engravers’ Society
How to Visit Liuhe Pagoda
Hangzhou Tea Plantation
How to Visit Leifeng Pagoda
How to visit Hupao Spring (Tiger Spring) Hangzhou
How to Visit Yellow Dragon Cave in Hangzhou
The Best Place to View Sunrise over West Lake Hangzhou
Any question, just drop a line.
hi… If i have to leave my luggage at the hotel and get it at night for train to shanghai. Which area is the most convenient one?
Hello Jen Yu,
You may book a hotel near Hangzhou Railway Station (城站)where there are many hotels of different levels, luxury or budget. Have a good journey!
I will stay 14 nights in Hangzhou. I like the things you wrote about the city core area. But I could not find an apartment with two bed rooms.
do you recommend any?
Thanks,
Hello Abdul,
Please search your hotel in Hangzhou by check the web ( http://english.ctrip.com/ ).