Beyond the City Limits
Hangzhou sits at the crossroads of some of eastern China's most beautiful countryside. Within two hours, you can be walking through a 1,300-year-old water town, hiking bamboo forests that inspired Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, or cruising a lake so vast it straddles two provinces. These day trips transform a good Hangzhou visit into an unforgettable one.
Wuzhen Water Town Top Pick
Wuzhen is the most complete and atmospheric water town near Hangzhou — a 1,300-year-old canal town with stone bridges, wooden houses, and lantern-lit alleyways. Unlike some water towns that feel like outdoor museums, Wuzhen is still a living community with residents going about their daily lives alongside the tourist flow.
The town is divided into two sections: Dongzha (East Scenic Zone) is more traditional and less commercialized, with workshops showing traditional indigo dyeing, rice wine brewing, and cloth weaving. Xizha (West Scenic Zone) is larger, more photogenic at night when the canals are illuminated, and has boutique hotels inside the old town if you want to stay overnight.
How to get there: Direct tourist buses depart from Hangzhou East Bus Station (every 30 min, 7:00–17:00, ¥40 one way, ~90 min). Or take a Didi (about ¥200 one way).
Insider tip: Visit on a weekday if possible — weekends are extremely crowded. If you can only do one day trip from Hangzhou, make it Wuzhen.
Moganshan (Mogan Mountain) Nature
A bamboo-covered mountain retreat that has been a summer escape since the 1890s, when foreign diplomats and merchants built stone villas here to escape the Shanghai heat. The bamboo forests are so dense and ethereal that Ang Lee chose them as the setting for the famous fight scene in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
Today, Moganshan offers hiking trails through bamboo groves, visits to the Sword Pond (where the legendary Ganjiang and Moye forged their swords), and a growing collection of design-forward boutique hotels and eco-lodges. The hiking is moderate — a 3–4 hour loop through the main scenic area covers the highlights.
How to get there: High-speed rail from Hangzhou East to Deqing Station (13 min, ¥25), then a 40-minute taxi ride up the mountain (¥60–80). Or drive in about 90 minutes.
Insider tip: If you can stay overnight, do it — Moganshan at dawn, with mist rolling through the bamboo, is one of the most magical sights in eastern China. See our hiking guide for trail details.
Qiandao Lake (Thousand Island Lake) Family
A vast artificial lake created in 1959 when a dam flooded a valley, submerging two ancient cities (which can still be explored by diving). The lake gets its name from the 1,078 islands that dot its surface — some are tiny rock outcrops, others are large enough to hike. The water is remarkably clean and famously supplies Nongfu Spring, China's most popular bottled water brand.
The main activities are boat tours to the central islands (the "Center Lake Area" has the most scenic islands), a cable car ride to the highest viewpoint, and the underwater city diving experience for certified divers. For non-divers, a replica of the submerged ancient city has been built on the surface.
How to get there: Buses depart from Hangzhou West Bus Station every 40 min (6:00–18:30, ¥70, ~2 hours). The scenic area entry is ¥150 (peak season) or ¥120 (off-peak) and includes a boat tour.
Insider tip: Qiandao Lake is best as an overnight trip rather than a day trip — it's a long journey for a single day. If you only have one day, Wuzhen or Moganshan are better choices.
Nanxun Water Town
If Wuzhen is the popular water town, Nanxun is the cultured one. Once the richest town in Jiangnan (the region south of the Yangtze), Nanxun's wealthy silk merchants built lavish gardens and mansions that blend Chinese and Western architecture — a unique feature among water towns. The old town streets are free to wander, and the atmosphere is noticeably quieter and more authentic than Wuzhen or Zhouzhuang.
Highlights include the Little Lotus Manor (a stunning private garden with a lotus pond), the Baijianlou (a 400-meter stretch of traditional riverside houses), and the Former Residence of Zhang Shiming (a mansion with a hidden Western-style ballroom).
How to get there: Bus from Hangzhou North Bus Station (¥40, ~90 min) or Didi (¥180–220). Nanxun is in Huzhou, about halfway between Hangzhou and Shanghai.
Liangzhu Ancient City
A UNESCO World Heritage site just 30 km from downtown Hangzhou, Liangzhu is one of the most important archaeological discoveries in Chinese history — a 5,000-year-old city that proves Chinese civilization extends back as far as Egypt and Mesopotamia. The site includes massive city walls, a complex water management system, and exquisite jade artifacts that demonstrate a sophisticated society.
The Liangzhu Museum is free, world-class, and air-conditioned — perfect for a rainy day. The archaeological park is where you can see the actual ruins and reconstructed ancient buildings. The new Liangzhu National Version Pavilion (国家版本馆) is a stunning piece of architecture that has become a social media sensation.
How to get there: Metro Line 2 to Liangzhu Station, then Bus 428 to the museum. Or Didi (~¥60 from West Lake area).
Day Trip Planning Tips
- Book HSR tickets early: The Hangzhou–Deqing route (for Moganshan) can sell out on weekends. Book via Trip.com or 12306.cn at least 2 days ahead.
- Cash and payments: All destinations accept Alipay/WeChat Pay. Carry some cash for small vendors in water towns.
- Start early: For water towns, arrive by 9 AM to enjoy the quiet morning atmosphere before the tour groups descend around 10:30.
- Weekday vs weekend: Wuzhen and Qiandao Lake are dramatically less crowded on weekdays. If your schedule allows, avoid weekends and especially Chinese public holidays.
- Weather matters: Water towns are magical in light rain (fewer crowds, misty canals). Moganshan is best on clear days for the views. Qiandao Lake is best in spring and autumn when the water is clear.
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