Understand Hangzhou
City·Walk
◎ City walk, as the name suggests, is about strolling through the city, deeply interacting with it through walking. Like the ancient saying "Read ten thousand books, walk ten thousand miles," the breeze stirred by walking turns the thick pages of the city beneath our feet, reading the whispers carved in mountains and forests, reading the waterway chronicles flowing through the Grand Canal, reading Hangzhou's past and future...
◎ Following this city walk trend, let travel return to its original essence, slow down the hurried pace of checking off attractions, and discover Hangzhou's stories in every stone, tree, street, and alley. This feature will use non-traditional in-depth tour route as a medium, emphasizing multi-dimensional cultural experiences. Let people appreciate the scenery while walking, creating warm connections with the city through their footsteps, entering into daily life, exploring local culture, discovering hidden gems, and using an exploratory perspective to rediscover this city's wonderful details and experience a different flavor of Hangzhou.
Four Cultural Heritage Tour Recommendations
Experience the charm of Hangzhou
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Quest:Ancient Times
The ancient relics that have survived through the ages are a city's roots and soul. They have witnessed countless 'highlight moments' in Hangzhou's history over time, forming a cultural thread that continues to this day. Walking among them is like traversing through legendary times.
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Visit:World Heritage Treasures
Hangzhou has three World Cultural Heritage sites: Liangzhu, which illuminated the dawn of Eastern civilization; West Lake, with its poetic and picturesque cultural landscape; and the Grand Canal (Hangzhou section) connecting north and south. These three sites weave together to form Hangzhou's unique heritage tapestry. If you slow down from a cursory glance and bring an explorer's curiosity, you will discover endless treasures within these World Heritage sites.
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Sight:Architecture with Soul
West Lake has shaped Hangzhou's peaceful and leisurely character, with all buildings seemingly arranged poetically around it. Both local and international architects have crafted various works in this landscape city, embedding their deep affection for Hangzhou in bricks, tiles, earth, and stone. Approaching these buildings is like approaching their breathing souls.
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Tour:Balance of Motion and Stiilness
Whether it's art galleries with rich content or Asian Games venues combining dynamism and aesthetics, these are leisure spaces that embody Hangzhou's cultural character. Taking advantage of the Asian Games, these venues are connected into a route for people to stroll and enjoy the city's natural and relaxed atmosphere.
Site Museum of Deshou Palace of the Southern Song Dynasty
Quest:Ancient TimesChengshan Square
Wushan
Wugong Temple
Hangzhou Local Chronicles Museum
Follow Professor Yu Yuefeng, a cultural and historical research expert from Hangzhou, to visit the story of Wu Kingdom & Yue Kingdom that belongs to Hangzhou
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01 Chengshan Square
The first stop is Chengshan Square, facing the mountain range known as 'Zhou Dynasty relic, famous mountain of Yue.' During the Spring and Autumn Period, the Xianghu-Chengshan area was an ancient battlefield in the Wu-Yue conflict. It houses the best-preserved city wall ruins from the late Spring and Autumn Period in China, witnessing several encounters between King Fu Chai of Wu and King Goujian of Yue.
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02 Wu Hill
Visitors can journey from Xianghu to Wu Hill, continuing to trace Wu-Yue history. After Goujian's defeat by Fu Chai, he retreated with 5,000 remaining troops to Kuaiji (modern-day Shaoxing). Many small hills north of the Qiantang River became Wu's boundary mountains, hence named Wu Hill. Today, the ancient conflicts are long past, and Wu Hill is a pleasant walking spot for Hangzhou residents.
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03 Wu Gong Temple
On Wu Hill, you'll find Wu Gong Temple, dedicated to Wu Zixu, a minister of Wu State during the late Spring and Autumn Period, whom people worship as the 'Tide God.' The temple has four courtyards, passing through the Divine Horse Gate to the Imperial Incense Hall, Loyalty and Purity Hall, and Tide God Hall. After experiencing the temple's incense offerings, enjoy a peaceful moment in the tea pavilion outside.
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04 Hangzhou Local Chronicles Museum
The final stop is the Local Chronicles Museum, where you can browse this 'living' encyclopedia of Hangzhou and conclude the Wu-Yue cultural tour. From the 'Yue Jue Shu' centered on the Wu-Yue conflict, to the 'Three Chronicles of Song Lin'an' and the Qing Dynasty's 'Wu Hill Chronicles' and 'Wu Hill Wu Gong Temple Chronicles,' Hangzhou's Wu-Yue historical thread is clearly visible.
·Other routes·
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·The Legend of Wu and Yue·
Chengshan Square - Wu Hill - Wugong Temple - Hangzhou Local Chronicles Museum
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·The Elegance of the Song Dynasty I: Exploration of the Imperial City·
Hening Gate - Phoenix Mountain Foot Road - Tiger Cave Kiln Site - Shengguo Temple Ruins - Moon Rock
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·The Elegance of the Song Dynasty II: Visiting the Two Song Dynasties·
Ancient Qingbo Gate Site - Song Dynasty Jujing Garden - Original Long Bridge Site - Zhou Dunyi Memorial Site - Original Long Bridge Site - Qianhu Gate Site
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·The Elegance of the Song Dynasty III: A Glimpse of Lin'an·
Southern Song Dynasty Deshou Palace Museum - Imperial Ancestral Temple Ruins - Southern Song Dynasty Ruins Exhibition Hall - Bagua Field Heritage Park
Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City
Visit:World Heritage TreasuresCiyun Ridge Sculptures
Tianlong Temple Sculptures
Three Caves of Mist and Clouds
Flying Peak Sculptures
·More than West Lake·
Walking into the mountains and forests in the south of West Lake, You will experience the profound millennium old art of cave sculptures
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01 Ciyun Ridge Sculptures
About 200 meters south along Ciyun Ridge's stone path, you'll find a traditional courtyard housing the Ciyun Ridge sculptures, known as the 'Wuyue Kingdom's Treasure.' These are the largest sculptures from Hangzhou's Five Dynasties Wuyue period. Built into the mountain are two niches of different sizes: the smaller Ksitigarbha niche features 'Six Realms of Reincarnation' relief carvings on its lintel, while the larger Amitabha niche contains seven well-preserved statues despite their age.
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02 Tianlong Temple Sculptures
Step down from Ciyun Ridge, climb up the steps to the right of Baiyun Temple in Baguatian, pass through the pine gate, and you will find the sculpture of Tianlong Temple in the dense forest.Three niches - east, center, and west - were carved into the mountainside in 965 CE by Wuyue King Qian Hongchu. Among the eleven Buddha statues, one Guanyin figure stands out for its graceful elegance. These weathered stone carvings tell of the temple's once-bustling past.
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03 Three Caves of Mist and Clouds
Heading west to Stone House Ridge below Manjuelong, you'll find the Stone House Cave, one of the 'Three Caves of Mist and Clouds.' This spacious cave contains numerous Buddhist sculptures. Nearby Water Music Cave features unique rock formations and is famous for its mountain springs, while Misty Cloud Cave, named for its stalactites that sparkle like morning clouds in sunlight, contains naturally integrated cave sculptures. These three caves' rich sculptural heritage offers glimpses of the Wuyue Kingdom's Buddhist glory from a millennium ago.
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04 Flying Peak Sculptures
Flying Peak, also known as 'Vulture Peak,' is a limestone mountain that seems to soar into the sky. Its bizarre rock formations house over 300 Buddha statues carved between the Five Dynasties and Yuan Dynasty periods, forming southeastern China's largest and most famous grotto art complex. Sculptures from different periods show varying themes and aesthetic styles, each exquisitely carved with unique spiritual charm, making them treasures of southern China's grotto art.
·Other routes·
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·Diverse Liangzhu I: Ancient City in the Marshy Land·
Liangzhu Ancient City Site Park - Liangzhu Museum - Laohuling Site Park
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·Diverse Liangzhu II: The Flavorful Continent·
Liangzhu Culture and Art Center - Mengxi Garden- Hangzhou National Archive Library
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·More than West Lake I: Past Events of Nanping·
Xiaoyoutian Garden Ruins - "Li Feng" Rock Inscription - Lake-Viewing Pavilion Ruins - Emperor Qianlong's Imperial Poem
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·More than West Lake II: The Gentleman of Gushan·
Baitang Hall - Stone Friendship Pavilion - Yangxian Pavilion - Seal Spring - Dun'an - Yuele Tower - Han Three Elders Stone Chamber - Literary Spring - Huayan Sutra Pagoda
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·More than West Lake III: A World of Wonders·
Ciyun Ridge Sculptures - Tianlong Temple Sculptures - Three Caves of Mist and Clouds - Flying Peak Sculptures
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·More than West Lake IV: The Zen Style of the Buddhist Kingdom·
Lingyin Temple - Yongfu Temple - Fajing Temple - Faxi Temple
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·Living Canal I: Transporting in Jiangnan·
Tangqi Ancient Town - Emperor Qianlong's Imperial Stele - Guangji Bridge - Gongchen Bridge - Bridge West Historical Cultural District
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·Living Canal II: Connecting Waves in Eastern Zhejiang·
Xixing Ancient Town - Jiangsi Park - Xintang Ancient Towpath - Yaqian Old Street
China Wetland Museum
Sight:Architecture with SoulFuchun Mountain Museum
Dongziguan Village Residences
Wen Village Residences
·Fuchun Resort·
Travelers can search for the poetic Fuyang that extends from Huang Gongwang's "Dwelling in Fuchun Mountain"
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01 Fuchun Mountain Museum
Fuyang, historically known as 'Fuchun,' was the final reclusive dwelling place of Huang Gongwang, the creator of 'Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains.' With a scholar's mountain-dwelling sentiment, Wang Shu designed the Fuchun Mountain Museum as a dialogue with Huang Gongwang. The entire building appears as ridges from one angle and peaks from another. Beyond the exhibition hall steps, there are ramps connecting all spaces, like mountain paths, leading you through twists and turns to observe the interior of this 'mountain.'
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02 Dongziguan Village Residences
Along the Fuchun River, Dongziguan Village features 46 new Hangzhou-style residences that cleverly incorporate the traditional slightly curved 'person' character-shaped roofs, creating a staggered yet continuous skyline that complements the mountain ridges behind. The dark gray roofs and white walls poetically sketch out the ink-wash Jiangnan depicted in Wu Guanzhong's paintings, guiding the poetic return of rural architecture.
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03 Wen Village Residences
Wen Village, with its clear stream in front and green mountains behind, houses Hangzhou-style residences renovated by Wang Shu using local materials. The roofs are covered with old tiles, while the exterior walls use Hangzhou stone and local yellow clay. The rammed earth technique inherits local ancestral craftsmanship. While preserving the characteristics of each house, these renovations add more charm, displaying strong personal style and rich rural atmosphere.
·Other routes·
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·Zhijiang Artistic Buildings·
China Academy of Art Xiangshan Campus - China Academy of Art Folk Art Museum - China Design Museum
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·Humanistic Spaces·
Tianmuli - Dongxin Innovation Park - China Wetland Museum
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·Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains·
Fuchun Mountain Museum - Dongziguan Village Residences - Wen Village Residences
Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Tennis Hall
Tour:Balance of Motion and StiilnessXiaohe Park
Xiaohe Straight Street
Grand Canal music Park
Grand Canal Asian Games Park
· Walk along The river·
Visitors can take the Grand Canal Asian Games Park as the destination, and enjoy the ancient and modern style of the Grand Canal all the way
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01 Xiaohe Park
Visit this new landmark along the canal to explore how the industrial character of the canal oil storage buildings seamlessly integrates with the surrounding environment. Circular openings were carved into the original oil tanks, rusty steel forms wave-like red walls, and open warehouses were transformed into 'floating pavilions with flowered steps.' Designers used light and transparent elements to soften the original heavy rigidity, turning Xiaohe Park into a leisure destination that combines waterfront public space with garden-style cultural areas.
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02 Xiaohe Straight Street
On this riverside bluestone-paved street, encounter old Jiangnan dreams hidden in the bustling city. This therapeutic slow-living old street features wharves connected to local residents' past lives, century-old workshops preserving ancient charm, and fresh artistic boutiques, allowing people to return to a leisurely pace and quietly experience life along the canal.
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03 Grand Canal Music Park
The massive terrace inspired by canal transport boats and the huge 'piano stairs' connecting the entire park are direct architectural expressions of 'canal' and 'music' elements. You can enjoy the magnificent view of the thousand-year-old canal from the top terrace, appreciate art spaces in the sunken open plaza, and occasionally encounter musical performances and themed shows.
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04 Grand Canal Asian Games Park
The journey concludes at the Grand Canal Asian Games Park, divided into north and south sections. The north features an intangible cultural heritage 'oil paper umbrella' design housing table tennis and breaking competitions, while the south showcases an enlarged 'jade cong' design for field hockey matches. Besides the sunken commercial street and sports areas, it connects to surrounding water systems, lawn plazas, and scenic flower fields, allowing people to enjoy natural scenery while engaging in sports.
·Other routes·
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·All the way towards the sun·
Quanshan Shi Art Center - Xiangshan Art Commune - Huang Gongwang's Retreat - Fuyang Water Sports Center
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·Walk along the river·
Xiaohe Park – Xiaohe Straight Street – Grand Canal Music Park – Grand Canal Asian Games Park
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·Rhythm by the River·
Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium – Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Tennis Center – Hangzhou Embroidery Jiangnan Heritage Center