Hangzhou

1. How to get to Hangzhou - Hangzhou Transportation: FlightsBeing the provincial capital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH) is the key airport for the city and the region (Yangtze River Delta Economic Zone). HGH is located 27 kilometers (17 miles) east of downtown Hangzhou in the Xiaoshan District. The airport is a hub for Air China, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Hainan Airlines, and Sichuan Airlines. There are daily flights to and from major cities in China and internationally to Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America. Also known as the “Garden Airport”, its 3 terminals boast useful facilities like free Wi-Fi, ATMs and banking facilities, currency exchange, medical services, Hangzhou tourist center, and numerous retail and dining options.Transfer options between the HGH and Hangzhou city center include airport shuttle, taxi, and car rental. A convenient and affordable method is by airport shuttle which offers around 20 routes to various parts of downtown. Depending on your destination, a trip can take between 45-100 minutes. All buses depart from the first level of the terminal building, outside the Arrivals Hall. Tickets range from 15-35 RMB and can be purchased on board from the driver or at the Shuttle Bus booths at the end of the Arrivals Hall.The fastest way is by taxi with journeys typically taking 35 minutes up to an hour depending on traffic conditions. The taxis are metered and the fare to the city center should be around 100 RMB. Visitors can find taxis outside Gate 10 of Arrivals Hall (Domestic Terminal Building). Please note that taxi drivers rarely speak or read English, so it is best to prepare your destination name in Chinese or Pinyin.2. Hangzhou Transportation: Train, Cruise, Metro, TaxiThe most popular forms of Hangzhou transportation are bus, metro, or taxi. Hangzhou’s bus system is extensive, budget-friendly, and has several different line types such as night-time, peak-hour, and sightseeing. For regular city bus lines, fares range from 1–3 RMB. As the bus schedules and on-board announcements are all in Chinese, it is advisable to download the Google Maps app on your mobile phone which will help you track your movement. Being a popular tourist city, Hangzhou has 5 special sightseeing bus lines (Y2, Y6, Y8, Y9, Y10). Useful bus routes (regular and sightseeing) for tourists include Y2 bus which goes from the Main Train Station to Lingyin Temple; Bus K7 stops on the western side of West Lake; Bus 27 runs from Beishan Lu to Longjing Tea Village while Bus 87 connects most of the sites in the tea plantation region.The Metro system in Hangzhou is efficient but compact, with only 5 lines currently in operation. With plans to open more lines, it is recommended to download the most up-to-date Metro map when traveling. Fare starts at 2 RMB and will increase with distance traveled. One Day and Three Day Passes are also available.Other ways to get around town include flagging down one of nearly 10,000 taxis in the city. Fare starts at 11 RMB and is priced by kilometer. It is worth noting that the majority of taxi drivers rarely speak or read English, so it is best to prepare your destination name in Chinese or Pinyin, or point out the location/tourist site on a map. For those who are more adventurous, Hangzhou is a bike-friendly city, so visitors can consider renting a bike, especially when touring the scenic and expansive West Lake area.