Getting around in Hangzhou is as easygoing as the city itself. That’s quite a big call, considering how big and bustling every China destination seems to be, however, Hangzhou transportation makes touring Hangzhou a pleasure. Come on a Hangzhou tour with ChinaTours.com and we will introduce you to the wonders of Hangzhou's transportation.
Hangzhou transportation
Since the G20 Summit in 2016, Hangzhou has become an increasingly popular travel destination. And it’s not surprising, given the blend of immense cultural significance and natural beauty.
In order to keep up with the growing number of travelers, the city’s worked hard to establish a solid transportation system. Now, Hangzhou has many modern transport options, which make getting in, out and around the city a breeze.
Looking to effortlessly explore the picturesque capital of the Zhejiang province? Here’s what you need to know about getting around in Hangzhou.
Getting there and visiting Hangzhou’s surrounding areas
Hangzhou is easily reached by train, plane, and bus from both major cities, such as Hong Kong, Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, and Guilin, as well as international cities like Macau, Seoul, Tokyo, Bangkok, and Singapore.
Fly from Hangzhou’s Garden Airport
Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (IATA: HGH, ICAO: ZSHC) is the main airport serving the city, and one of the top ten major airports in China. It’s been given the name “Garden Airport” because of the green surroundings and flower gardens.
Not only does the airport operate domestic and regional flights within the Zhejiang province, and the rest of China, it also serves flights to east, southeast and south Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America.
The airport is located 27 kilometers east of Hangzhou city center and easily reached by shuttle bus. There are shuttle buses that’ll take you to and from the city center, or you can catch one to or from neighboring cities like Wuzhen, Yiwu, Jinhua, Shaoxing, Jiaxing, and Suzhou.
Hangzhou trains will get you on the right track
While you’re on a tour in Hangzhou, it’s definitely worth your while to explore the surrounding areas of the Wuzhen Water Town, Shanghai, Suzhou, and Huangshan. With travel times greatly reduced, China’s rapidly expanding bullet train network makes it very easy to travel between these destinations.
Most of these high-speed trains depart from Hangzhou East Railway Station, which has become a popular transportation hub since its opening in 2013. From East Railway Station, you can also easily catch a bus or metro downtown, to the airport, or to other scenic areas in the city.
A slower form of Hangzhou transportation is the regular train service. Thus, if you prefer a slower pace, we recommend catching a train from Hangzhou Railway Station. Hangzhou Railway Station, or Cheng Zhan, as the locals call it, is the city’s main railway station, serving regular trains to nearby areas like Ningbo, Yiwu, Wenzhou, and Shanghai.
Looking to venture outside the Zhejiang province? Why not catch an overnight train as Hangzhou Railway Station also offers train rides to Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Guangzhou, and many more major cities across China.
Getting around in Hangzhou
As we mentioned before, getting around in Hangzhou is easy and convenient. There are many different ways to explore the city’s historic, gastronomic and natural charm. The most popular forms of Hangzhou transportation are bus, metro, or taxi, but if you’re feeling a little adventurous, why not explore the city by bike?
Hassle-free travel with Hangzhou public transport
Hangzhou boasts having an extensive city bus system, consisting of regular lines, night lines, peak-hour lines, holiday lines, sightseeing lines, and BRT lines. The bus will get you to nearly all of the city’s major areas for a reasonable price.
Hangzhou is working hard to expand its metro system to a total of 10 metro lines by the end of 2020.
Taxi
Usually, it’s not necessary to phone a taxi, as Hangzhou has plenty of taxis. Almost 10 000, to be more specific. You can easily hail them from the side of the street, though, try to avoid hailing taxis around peak hours, as traffic gets extremely busy.
As a form of Hangzhou transportation, taxis are considered safe, reliable and affordable, with a base fare of CNY11 for a short trip (0-3 kilometers), and an additional CNY2.5 per kilometer for longer distances.
Keep in mind, most taxi drivers don’t speak English so make sure you have the name and address of your destination written in Chinese characters to show to your driver.
Enjoy a scenic ride around Westlake
Did you know Hangzhou has one of the largest bike sharing systems in the world? Riding a bike is the perfect way for getting around in Hangzhou and possibly the most fun form of Hangzhou transportation... Soak up the charming scenery, while enjoying the city’s unassuming, relaxed lifestyle. Our recommendation: ride around Westlake, Hangzhou’s major landmark, and relish its natural beauty and historic relics.
With 2700 rental stations dotted around the city, renting a bike in Hangzhou is pretty simple. All you have to do is go to one of the bike station booths near Westlake. Make sure to bring your passport for identification. You’ll fill in a form and receive a swipe card for picking up your bike at the docking stations. Swipe, wait for the green light, and you’re good to go!
The first hour on each bike is free, so if you’re looking for a free tour around the city, simply keep switching bikes within the hour. Just make sure to return your bike within the booth operating hours as the swipe units deactivate, and you will be charged a whole night’s rental.
Travel with ChinaTours.com
The only downfall in Hangzhou transportation is navigating through a system that’s mostly based on Chinese signage. At ChinaTours.com, we are here to help you, every step of the journey.
Whether you’re looking for tips and tricks on getting around in Hangzhou or a completely organized Hangzhou tour, we’ll help you create a holiday you’ll love. Book your tour to remember on ChinaTours.com, or talk to one of our China tour experts.
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