THE 10 BEST Free Things to Do in Hangzhou
Best Free Things to Do in Hangzhou
Category types
Types of Attractions
Awards
Travellers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travellers across the globe.
Traveller rating
Good for
32 results sorted by traveller favourites
- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas
Open now
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Open now
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Open now
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Open now
Ancient Ruins • Architectural Buildings
Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
Open now
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Open now
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Open now
Showing results 1-30 of 32
What travellers are saying
- bcheongShanghai, China51,748 contributionsExtremely crowded on a sunny weekend, so not as nice as it could be. The plum and cherry blossoms are starting to flower . If you’re a high achiever, you can hunt for the “10 scenes of west lake”, otherwise, just take a leisurely random stroll, through the crowdsWritten 22 March 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Zfy EdSingapore, Singapore11,008 contributionsThe Hefang street is the most famous and the only well-preserved ancient street in Hangzhou. It represents the old story and showcases the folk culture of Hangzhou. The cobbled street is lined with lots of time-honoured stores from which visitors will get a better understanding and experience of ancient Hangzhou and ancient China. One can explore the traditional Chinese Medicine Culture, enjoy the delicate handicrafts, taste the delicious authentic Hangzhou foodstuffs. I like the small lanes and shophouses, very nice and there are so much to see, shop and eat.
Although like other shopping streets, it's a little touristy, it's still worthwhile to visit to indulge in the local culture and lifestyle. Time seemed to pass slowly and you can leisurely walk around, have some finger food over some drinks and then shop again!
But many shops are selling the same or similar things (I trust they are chain stores, same boss but setting up stores with various names at different locations) and so after a while, it's repetitive!
We all love it!Written 19 June 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - shane aFrankston, Australia228 contributionsVery interesting place to go and learn about tea and how they pick it. They actually do a small tour and talk about tea then you can go out in the field and actually watch them pick itWritten 25 August 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Mike COrmond Beach, FL2,817 contributionsTake a stroll in this area of West Lake if you want to enjoy the scenery near the waterway and gardens. So peaceful and expansive enough for a little more privacy versus the heavily trafficked area with large tourist crowds.Written 23 August 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Stephen CSingapore, Singapore1,139 contributionsThis is a very popular place for the locals. It is a shady place with very shallow streams where kids can play inside the water.
Come prepared wearing swimming gear as the waters are very inviting.
I also like the fact that this path leads to famous Longjin green tea plantation so it's killing two birds with a stone.Written 2 August 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - ClaireLouiseDerbyshire, UK346 contributionsHad a wander round the park whilst waking round the west lake.
Beautifully kept park.
100% recommend.
Easy to find
........Written 28 October 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Oded Sinai tour guideJerusalem, Israel15 contributionsThis is a 6 store building and has many products - shirts, pants, jackets silk and many souvenirs. I highly recommend not to buy there electronics products as quality is bad although the prices are tempting.
In any case, you can bargain a lot.
It is recommended to come early in the morning - opens at 09:30.Written 3 November 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Joel KVancouver, Canada3,689 contributionsA great place to meander around and gaze at fish in a beautiful garden setting. Many places to sit, relax and enjoy the gardens and the many hangings.Written 11 March 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Stephen CSingapore, Singapore1,139 contributionsThis causeway runs through the north and south of the West Lake. The causeway is named after Su Dongpo, when he was an official in Hangzhou.
This causeway is about 3 km long and is ideal for walking and cycling. You can also enjoy the sight of large lotus flowers at the end of the causeway.Written 31 July 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - D CPaoli, PA212 contributionsIt was established in 1897! One of the first universities in China. The only regret is not many of the original buildings were preserved, but you will still see some gems. Overall, a very modern campus and worth the trip to witness part of history.Written 11 March 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Richard ABarnard Castle, UK141 contributionsLots of expensive shops. Easy access. Our children enjoy the cinema. Expat have access to OLE. Close by Raffles City and Intercontinental hotelWritten 16 May 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Mike COrmond Beach, FL2,817 contributionsThis mall contains high end merchandise and brand named stores. Expect to pay 💰 more here than in lesser known malls. The place is extremely clean and safe to shop. Additionally, there are several good restaurants tucked away throughout the various towers, which are quite good.Written 23 August 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- matejHangzhou, China1 contributionOn the 4th and 5th of November of 2019 I went for the trip in China with Global Travel Experience Division to visit Xiaoshan district near Hangzhou city of the Zhejiang province. In this short article I'll describe you our two days trip around this magnificent area. I would definitely recommend you to go to these places which we have visited. Here is my personal experience from this interesting trip. Enjoy!
First of all we went by bus to the G20 Hangzhou Summit 2016 Main Venue at the Hangzhou Inter Expo Centre where monumental and modern architecture just blowed my mind. Especially in Great Hall for conference with huge flags of the most powerful nations of the world I could feel that magnificent spirit that bow my head down by this masterpiece of architecture and Chinese craftwork. Interior made by Chinese woodwork craftsmen full of 6 metres long handmade reliefs showing the wealth of Chinese history and very heavy doors made from one piece of precious wood. On the huge and rooftop you can find garden with gallery and spectacular view down to city.
The next stop was in Time-honoured Xutongtai Soy Sauce Production Factory where we found century long old place of the famous soy sauce production place. Huge tanks of reservoir of this liquid and hundreds of ceramic barrels were stacked into the composed mounds.
Then we went to the little village called Phoenix where we have visited Anti-Japanese War Memorial Hall and museum in very decent and calm neighbourhood with tiny narrow streets and small square with cafeteria. Inside of the museum you can find historical artillery, dresses, objects and photographies of this bloody Chinese - Japanese great war.
From there it took around 15 minutes by bus to come to the lovely, old and refreshing property called Ocean&Bird AirBnb surrounded by nature and also by bamboo forest from the side of the road with big garden, bar at the reception, with a small square right in the middle of this complex with rooms around. It was the place where I would loved to stay overnight, but unfortunately we moved to the hotel resort.
On the other day the first place we visited was Xiaoshan Intangible Cultural Heritage Lace&Bead Embroidery Institute with homonymous name Xiaoshan Lihua Embroidered Pearl Lace Research Institute. It's a small first floor apartment with galleries, workshops and clothing. In this place you could find heritage of traditional Chinese art and craft - lacemaking, musical instruments, paintings and also traditional Chinese costumes full of vibrant colours and textile accessories which you can buy or even you can try to make it by yourself or under the directions of local mentors and teachers.
At the end I would like mention that this was the most interesting and beautiful trip for recent period
of my travelling time around Zhejiang province where I live and study for more than one year. Thank you for your attention. I hope my blog brought some inspiration to you - to my dear travellers.Written 13 November 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Zfy EdSingapore, Singapore11,008 contributionsOne of the most remarkable views of this area in the Yue lake is the summer lotus. With over 100 species of lotus that are planted and small bridges are built connecting to one another throughout the whole scene spot, offering a close observation to the blooming lotus.
This particular scene has earned its name from the fact that it had an abundance of lotus plants growing along its shores, which was known as Crooked Courtyard.
The size of the lotus pool park planted hundreds of varieties of lotus, in particular to the number of charming wind load area. It's so beautiful and you can indulge in tranquility in our mother nature arm！ You can enjoy a leisure walk around the lake, that offers a breathtaking view!Written 19 June 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - seagullrobScarborough, Australia5,893 contributionsWe visited this tea plantation as part of our cheap TripADeal tour of China.
It's like the pearl and silk factories - they do a demonstration and try to sell you something. The green tea here (at the plantation) tasted a damn sight better than we get in Australia - not nearly as bitter.
They have various foods for sale too - ginger, flavoured nuts, etc (with free samples).
I can't say I felt particularly pressured to buy. It was expensive. But a few of us did buy some products - I am interested at the medicinal qualities of green tea (at my age), so am happy to try something new.
Pretty grounds too.
For a compulsory part of a very cheap tour, it was pretty good.Written 4 June 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
