If you’re visiting Hangzhou independently for the first time, understanding how to book tickets for top attractions in Hangzhou can save you time and hassle. Whether you’re planning to explore museums, watch spectacular shows, or join immersive cultural activities, knowing how to buy tickets for top attractions in Hangzhou will help you make the most of your journey.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to book tickets for popular sites, highlight must-see free attractions, and share helpful insider tips—so you can plan your perfect Hangzhou adventure with ease.
1. What You Need to Know Before Booking Tickets in Hangzhou
Hangzhou is one of China’s most popular travel destinations. It boasts two UNESCO World Heritage sites—West Lake and the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City—along with countless cultural landmarks.
👉 Top Hangzhou Tickets & Passes
As you explore the city, you’ll come across three main types of attractions:
First, some attractions require advance online reservations. These include top spots like Leifeng Pagoda and the Liangzhu Archaeological Site Park. These places often limit visitor numbers, so you usually can’t buy tickets at the entrance.
Next, some attractions allow on-site ticket purchases, but it’s better to book in advance. Places like Songcheng (Song Dynasty Town), Lingyin Temple, and Xixi Wetland fall into this category. Booking ahead saves time, helps you skip long lines, and sometimes even offers discounts.
Lastly, some areas are free and open, with no reservation needed. You can enjoy scenic walks around West Lake or visit Hefang Street freely. However, a few smaller spots inside may charge small fees.
Helpful Tip: Most attractions in Hangzhou support electronic tickets, using a QR code or your ID. Foreign visitors should prepare passport info in advance when booking. While many official sites now accept international credit cards, platforms like Viator, Trip.com, or Klook also offer easy booking with foreign currency.
2. Attractions in Hangzhou That Require Advance Online Booking
Some of Hangzhou’s most famous attractions require online reservations before you visit. These spots are popular and often have limited daily visitor quotas. Booking in advance guarantees your entry and helps you plan your time better. Below are four must-see places that need advance reservations.
Some of Hangzhou’s most iconic attractions must be booked online in advance. These places often limit daily visitors, so walk-in tickets are usually not available. To avoid disappointment, secure your entry early. Here are four top attractions where online reservations are essential.
🏯 Leifeng Pagoda (雷峰塔)
Leifeng Pagoda, originally built in 977 AD, was created to enshrine Buddhist relics. The current five-story octagonal tower was rebuilt in 2002. It blends classic Tang-Song style with modern design. Inside, a glass floor lets you see ancient ruins beneath your feet.
Book through Viator, trip.com or Klook (great for English-speaking travelers):
👉Private Day Tour: West Lake, Leifeng Pagoda and Hefang Street
🔗 Booking: Search “雷峰塔” on WeChat
🕒 Hours: May 1 – Oct 31: 8:00 – 20:00； Nov 1 – Mar 15: 8:00 – 17:30
📍 Address: No. 1 Xizhao Mountain Road, West Lake Scenic Area
🚇 Transport: No direct metro. Take Metro Line 4 to Shuichengqiao Station, then transfer to Bus 87 or 139
📞 Phone: +86 571 87979206
🏛 Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City (良渚古城遗址公园)
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this park showcases a 5,000-year-old civilization. It features ancient city walls, a water system, and impressive relics. You can explore the large area by electric cart.
🔗 Booking: Search “良渚古城” on WeChat
🕒 Hours: 9:00 – 17:00 (last entry at 16:00)
📍 Address: Fengdu Road, Pingyao Town, Yuhang District
🚇 Transport: Metro Line 2 to Liangzhu Station, then transfer to Bus 1222M
📞 Phone: +86 571 88530000
🌐 Official Site: www.lzsite.cn
🎭 Impression West Lake Show 印象西湖
Directed by Zhang Yimou, this open-air night show is performed on the waters of West Lake. It combines music, dance, and traditional opera with stunning visuals to capture the essence of Hangzhou.
Book through Viator, trip.com or Klook (great for English-speaking travelers):
👉 Book your Zuiyi Hangzhou Impression West Lake Show Ticket
🔗 Booking: Search “印象西湖” on WeChat
🕒 Hours: Regular: 19:45 – 20:45; Holidays: Additional show at 21:10
📍 Address: No. 82 Beishan Road, opposite Yue Fei Temple
🚌 Transport: Bus 7, 27, or Y1 to Yuefen Station
🍵 China National Tea Museum (中国茶叶博物馆)
This is China’s only national museum dedicated to tea. It showcases the history of tea, tea-making techniques, and tea ceremonies. Surrounded by lush gardens, it offers a relaxing way to learn about Longjing tea.
🕒 Hours: 8:30 – 16:30 (closed on Mondays)
📍 Address: No. 88 Longjing Road, West Lake District
🚌 Transport: Bus 27 or You 3 to Shuangfeng Station
📞 Phone: +86 571 87964221
🌐 Official Site: www.teamuseum.cn
🔗 Booking: Search “中国茶叶博物馆” on WeChat
3. Hangzhou Tickets Available On-Site—But Better Online
Not all attractions in Hangzhou require reservations. In fact, many top sites still let you buy tickets at the entrance. However, it’s often better to book ahead—especially during weekends or holidays—to save time and sometimes enjoy online discounts. Below are eight popular spots where on-site purchase is possible, but early booking is a smart move.
🛕 Lingyin Temple & Feilai Peak (灵隐寺及飞来峰)
Lingyin Temple is one of China’s most important Buddhist temples. It was founded in the 4th century and holds a wealth of religious art. You’ll need two tickets: one for Feilai Peak (which includes grotto carvings) and another for the temple itself.
Book through Viator, trip.com or Klook (great for English-speaking travelers):
👉 Book your Lingyin Temple Tours and Tickets
🔗 Booking: WeChat “灵隐寺”
🕒 Hours: 7:00 – 18:00 (last ticket sold at 17:15)
📍 Address: No. 1 Fayun Lane, West Lake District
🚌 Transport: Bus 7, 807, or Y1 to Lingyin Station
📞 Phone: +86 571 87968665
🌐 Official Site: www.lingyinsi.org
🏯 Liuhe Pagoda (Six Harmonies Pagoda ) (六和塔)
Built in the Northern Song Dynasty, this riverside pagoda once calmed the powerful Qiantang River tides. It stands nearly 60 meters tall and offers sweeping river views from the top.
Book through Viator, trip.com or Klook (great for English-speaking travelers):
👉 Book your Six Harmonies Pagoda (Liuhe Pagoda) Tours and Tickets
🔗 Booking: WeChat “西湖旅游”
🕒 Hours: 7:00 – 17:30 (clearing begins at 17:15)
📍 Address: No. 16 Zhijiang Road, West Lake District
🚌 Transport: Bus 4 or 318 to Liuhe Pagoda Station
📞 Phone: +86 571 879777679
🌲 Hupao Park (虎跑公园)
Famous for the “Dreaming of the Tiger Spring,” this peaceful park features the third-best spring in China. Enjoy local tea made with spring water, and explore scenic spots like the Ji Gong Tower.
Book through Viator, trip.com or Klook (great for English-speaking travelers):
👉 Book Half-Day Hangzhou Tea Culture and Hupao Spring Private Tour
🔗 Booking: WeChat “西湖旅游”
🕒 Hours: 6:00 – 18:00
📍 Address: No. 39 Hupao Road, West Lake District
🚌 Transport: Bus K4, 504, or Y5 to Hupao Station
📞 Phone: +86 571 8797776710
🛡 Yue Fei Temple (岳王庙)
This memorial honors Yue Fei, a Song Dynasty general known for loyalty and bravery. Visit the main hall, his tomb, and the famous kneeling statues of traitors. Calligraphy and poems from past centuries fill the corridors.
🔗 Booking: WeChat “西湖旅游”
🕒 Hours: Regular: 7:30 – 17:30; Peak season: Open until 19:00
📍 Address: No. 80 Beishan Road, West Lake District
🚇 Transport: Metro Line 3 to Huanglongdong Station, bike 10 mins; or Bus 7, 27, Y1
🎫 Price: ¥25 (online ¥22 approx.)
🚤 West Lake Boat Ride (西湖游船 – 含三潭印月)
A boat ride is a magical way to see West Lake. You’ll float past iconic sites like Three Pools Mirroring the Moon and Mid-Lake Pavilion. The views—especially at sunset—are unforgettable.
Book through Viator, trip.com or Klook (great for English-speaking travelers):
👉 West Lake (Xi Hu) Tours and Tickets
🔗 Booking: WeChat “西湖旅游”
🕒 Hours: 8:00 – 16:00
📍 Address: Multiple piers including Hubin Park Pier (near Longxiangqiao Station) and Huagang Pier
🚇 Transport: Metro Line 1 to Longxiangqiao Station
📞 Phone: +86 571 87068284
🌐 Official Site: www.hzwestlake.gov.cn
🎡 Songcheng Theme Park (宋城主题公园)
With the slogan “Give us a day, and we’ll take you back 1,000 years,” Songcheng recreates a bustling Song Dynasty city. Don’t miss the famous show “The Romance of Song Dynasty”, which uses cutting-edge effects to tell Hangzhou’s story.
Book through Viator, trip.com or Klook (great for English-speaking travelers):
👉 Book your Songcheng Park & Lengend of Song Dynasty Show Ticket
🔗 Booking: WeChat “杭州宋城”
🕒 Hours: 9:00 – ~21:00 (closing after last show)
📍 Address: No. 148 Zhijiang Road, West Lake District
🚌 Transport: Bus 308 or 318 to Songcheng Station
📞 Phone: +86 571 87313101
🌐 Official Site: www.songcn.com
🛶 Xixi National Wetland Park (西溪国家湿地公园)
Called the “Kidney of Hangzhou,” this park is a green oasis filled with rivers, reeds, and wildlife. You can take a hand-rowed boat to glide through quiet waterways and spot traditional riverside homes.
Book through Viator, trip.com or Klook (great for English-speaking travelers):
👉 Book Half-Day Hangzhou Xixi Wetland Park Private Tour with Boat Ride
🔗 Booking: WeChat “西溪湿地”
🕒 Hours: Apr–Oct: 7:30 – 18:30; Nov–Mar: 8:00 – 17:30
📍 Address: No. 518 Tianmushan Road, West Lake District (Zhoujiacun Gate)
🚇 Transport: Metro Line 3 to Xixi Wetland South Station, walk to entrance
📞 Phone: +86 571 88106688
🐼 Hangzhou Zoo (杭州动物园)
Hangzhou Zoo is home to over 200 species, including pandas and golden monkeys—perfect for families.
Right next door, the Botanical Garden bursts with beauty, especially in spring and fall.
🔗Booking: WeChat “西湖旅游”
🕒 Hours: Zoo: 7:00 – 17:30; Garden: 7:00 – 17:00
📍 Address: No. 40 Hupao Road, West Lake District
🚌 Transport: Bus 194 or 318 to Zoo Station
📞 Phone: +86 571 87970657
🌐 Official Site: www.hzzoo.com
4. Free Attractions in Hangzhou (No Booking Required)
Hangzhou is not only rich in beauty and culture—it’s also incredibly traveler-friendly. Many amazing places in the city are completely free to visit. You can enjoy nature, history, and local life without spending a cent. However, some places may offer optional paid experiences like museum exhibits, guided tours, or boat rides. Below are ten top free attractions in Hangzhou that you should not miss.
🏛 Zhejiang Provincial Museum (浙江省博物馆)
This is Zhejiang’s largest museum, with over 100,000 cultural relics. You’ll find ceramics, calligraphy, jade, and more. The Gushan branch, located inside West Lake Scenic Area, is surrounded by beautiful gardens.
🔗 Booking: Not required
🕒 Hours: Tue–Sun, 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30); closed on Mondays
📍 Address: No. 25 Gushan Road, West Lake District
🚌 Transport: Bus WE1314 or West Lake Loop Line to Zhejiang Museum Station
📞 Phone: +86 571 87980281
🌐 Official Site: www.zhejiangmuseum.com
🌅 West Lake Scenic Area (西湖环湖景区)
West Lake is always open—and always free. You can walk, bike, or ride a sightseeing cart (for a fee). Popular spots like Broken Bridge, Su Causeway, and Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake are all included.
🔗 Booking: Not required
🕒 Hours: Open all day
📍 Address: Around West Lake, West Lake District
🚇 Transport: Metro Line 1 to Longxiangqiao Station
🏘 Hefang Street & Southern Song Imperial Street (河坊街 & 南宋御街)
These ancient pedestrian streets are full of character. They feature Qing-style buildings, century-old shops like Hu Qing Yu Tang pharmacy, and even an underground Song-era street visible through glass.
🔗 Booking: Not required
🕒 Hours: Streets: Open all day； Shops: 9:00–22:00； Imperial Street Museum: Tue–Sun, 9:00–16:30
📍 Address: Hefang Street, Shangcheng District
🚇 Transport: Line 5 to Jiangcheng Road Station or Line 7 to Wushan Square Station
🌸 Taiziwan Park (Prince Bay Park )(太子湾公园)
Located beside West Lake, this is one of Hangzhou’s most romantic parks. In spring, tulips and cherry blossoms bloom; in autumn, red leaves cover the paths. The park has a European garden style, with bridges, lawns, and streams.
🔗 Booking: Not required
🕒 Hours: Open all day
📍 Address: No. 5-1 Nanshan Road, West Lake District
🚌 Transport: Bus 4 or 31 to Sudi Station
🌿 Jiuxi 18 Stream (九溪十八涧)
This quiet forest valley lies west of West Lake. It’s a favorite hiking trail, passing through bamboo groves, tea fields, and small waterfalls. You can wade through the stream in summer or enjoy fiery foliage in fall.
🔗 Booking: Not required
🕒 Hours: Open all day
📍 Address: South of Longjing Village, West Lake District
🚌 Transport: Bus 4 or 39 to Jiuxi Station
🌆 Qianjiang New Town Light Show (钱江新城灯光秀)
On Friday and Saturday nights, Hangzhou lights up the sky along the Qiantang River. This modern light and music show is best viewed from the City Balcony. Across the river, the Olympic Stadium joins the display.
🔗 Booking: Not required
🕒 Hours: Fri & Sat: 19:30 and 20:30； Sun–Thu: 20:30 only
📍 Address: City Balcony, Qianjiang New Town, Shangcheng District
🚇 Transport: Line 4 to Citizen Center Station or Chengxing Road Station
🎶 West Lake Musical Fountain (西湖音乐喷泉)
Located near Lakeside Park, this daily fountain show blends music, lights, and water. The performance includes Chinese classics, pop hits, and international favorites. It’s a perfect evening activity.
🔗 Booking: Not required
🕒 Hours: Daily at 19:30 (1 show, 15 minutes)
📍 Address: Lakeside Park, Hubin Road, Shangcheng District
🚇 Transport: Metro Line 1 to Longxiangqiao Station, Exit C4, walk 200m west
🌉 Grand Canal – Gongchen Bridge (京杭大运河 拱宸桥)
This part of the Grand Canal, a UNESCO site, showcases Hangzhou’s canal culture. You can walk across the ancient bridge, visit museums, or explore nearby streets with Qing-style buildings and folk-art exhibits.
👉 Book Hangzhou UNESCO World Heritage Sites Tour- West Lake & Grand Canal
🔗 Booking: Not required for outdoor area; museums are free but check hours
🕒 Hours: Canal: Open all day Museums: Tue–Sun, 9:00–16:30 (last entry 16:00)
📍 Address: No. 1 Canal Culture Plaza, Gongshu District
🚇 Transport: Line 5 to Gongchenqiao East Station, Exit B, walk 500m
📞 Phone: +86 571 88162018
🌐 Official Site: www.canal-museum.cn
🍃 Longjing Village (龙井村)
This is the heart of Longjing tea country. Surrounded by green hills and terraced tea fields, it’s a great place to walk, sip tea, and see how leaves are picked and roasted. In spring, the harvest season is especially lively.
👉 Book Hangzhou Longjing Tea Culture Immersive Experience Tour
🔗 Booking: Not required
🕒 Hours: Open all day
📍 Address: Northwest slope of Wengjiashan, West Lake District
🚌 Transport: Bus 27 to Longjing Tea House Station, walk ~1km
5. Booking Platforms and Payment Methods in Hangzhou
Now that you know where to go, let’s talk about Booking Platforms and Payment Methods in Hangzhou. Whether you prefer using your phone or planning in advance, Hangzhou offers several easy booking options for foreign travelers.
📲 Official Booking Channels
First, many scenic spots have their own official WeChat accounts. For example, search “西湖旅游” (West Lake), “良渚古城” (Liangzhu), or “西溪湿地” (Xixi) to find the right one. These accounts let you book tickets, check guides, and read updates. Some even offer English interfaces. You can register using your passport info.
🌐 Travel Platforms
Next, international platforms like Trip.com, Viator, and Klook offer user-friendly English apps. They also support foreign currency payments and often include discounted e-tickets.
💳 Payment Options
Most platforms accept Visa and MasterCard, but note they may charge a small fee. If you’ve connected your card to Alipay or WeChat Pay, that’s even better—these apps work almost everywhere in Hangzhou.
Although cash is still accepted, large attractions are moving toward cashless ticketing.
👉 Top Hangzhou Tickets & Passes
Hangzhou is where ancient charm meets modern elegance. From the serene beauty of West Lake to the lively streets of Songcheng, every site tells a story. With this guide on how to book tickets for top attractions in Hangzhou, you’re ready to explore it all with ease.
Whether you’re sipping tea in Longjing Village, hiking through Jiuxi’s forest streams, or watching the skyline light up in Qianjiang New Town, Hangzhou promises unforgettable moments.
Just remember to pack your camera, wear comfy shoes, and take your time. Hangzhou is a city best enjoyed slowly.
🌸 Travel Tip: Visit in spring (March–May) or autumn (September–November) for the best weather. In April, peach blossoms bloom around the lake. In October, the scent of osmanthus fills the air—both are perfect times to experience this “Heaven on Earth.”
📌 Further Reading
How to Book Tickets for the Top Attractions in Beijing
How to Book Tickets for the Top Attractions in Xi’an
How to Book Tickets for the Top Attractions in Shanghai
How to Book Tickets for the Top Attractions in Guilin
How to Book Tickets for the Top Attractions in Suzhou
How to Book Tickets for the Top Attractions in Chengdu
How to Book Tickets for the Top Attractions in Hong Kong
How to Book Tickets for the Top Attractions in Hangzhou
