Day Trips from Hangzhou: 5 Best Escapes by Train, Bus & Car

Hangzhou is a perfect base for exploring East China. With high-speed rail, express buses and private drivers all within easy reach, you can wake up by West Lake and spend the afternoon drifting through a 1,300-year-old water town, hiking bamboo forests, or cruising between forested islands. This guide covers the five best day trips from Hangzhou, how to get there, and how to decide which one matches your travel style.

Why Take a Day Trip from Hangzhou?

Most international visitors land in Shanghai and travel to Hangzhou for West Lake and tea culture. But the real charm of Zhejiang province lies just beyond the city limits: ancient canal towns, misty mountains, bamboo-covered peaks and the clearest freshwater lake in eastern China. A day trip lets you see a completely different side of the region without repacking your suitcase.

The high-speed rail network makes this easy. From Hangzhou East Railway Station, you can reach most destinations in under 90 minutes. For places without a direct rail link, buses and private car hire are affordable and reliable.

Top 5 Day Trips from Hangzhou

1. Wuzhen Water Town — Classic Canal Culture

Best for: First-time visitors, photography, history lovers

Wuzhen is the most famous water town near Hangzhou, split into East Scenic Zone (traditional, busy, cheaper) and West Scenic Zone (atmospheric, evening lights, more polished). The West Zone is best for an overnight or late-afternoon visit, while East Zone works well for a half-day trip.

How to get there:

• Bus: Direct tourist buses from Hangzhou East Bus Station take about 80 minutes.
• Train: Take the high-speed rail to Tongxiang Railway Station (17–25 minutes), then a taxi or local bus to Wuzhen (30 minutes).
• Private car: About 90 minutes door-to-door.

Suggested itinerary:

• 08:30 — Leave Hangzhou
• 10:00 — Explore East Zone: traditional workshops, dye house, ancient post office
• 12:30 — Lunch by the canal (try Wuzhen lamb and fermented rice wine)
• 14:00 — Walk the West Zone, visit the indigo cloth workshop and wedding museum
• 17:00 — Return to Hangzhou, or stay for the West Zone night lights

2. Xitang Water Town — Quiet Alleys & Night Lights

Best for: Couples, photographers, avoiding crowds

Xitang feels more lived-in than Wuzhen. Its covered walkways and 122 ancient bridges make it beautiful in rain or sun. It is also less polished, which many travelers prefer.

How to get there:

• Bus: Direct buses from Hangzhou Passenger Transport Center take about 90 minutes.
• Train: High-speed rail to Jiashan South Station (23 minutes), then taxi (20 minutes).
• Private car: About 80 minutes.

Suggested itinerary:

• 09:00 — Leave Hangzhou
• 10:30 — Walk the covered corridors and visit the tile-roofed houses
• 12:30 — Lunch of river fish and lotus root
• 14:00 — Boat ride through the narrow canals
• 16:30 — Return, or stay for sunset and evening lights

3. Thousand Island Lake (Qiandao Lake) — Clear Water & Forest Islands

Best for: Nature lovers, families, cyclists

Qiandao Lake is a vast reservoir with 1,078 forested islands. The water is famously clean, and the area is popular for boating, cycling and fresh fish.

How to get there:

• Bus: Direct buses from Hangzhou West Bus Station take about 2 hours.
• Train: High-speed rail to Qiandaohu Station (50–60 minutes), then taxi or shuttle to the lake.
• Private car: About 2 hours.

Suggested itinerary:

• 07:30 — Early departure from Hangzhou
• 09:30 — Boat cruise to Meifeng Island or Yulei Island
• 12:30 — Lunch of Qiandao Lake big-head fish
• 14:00 — Lakeside cycling or forest trail
• 17:00 — Return to Hangzhou

4. Moganshan — Bamboo Forests & Mountain Retreats

Best for: Hikers, wellness seekers, summer escape

Moganshan has been a summer retreat since the early 1900s, when foreign missionaries and Shanghai elites built villas in the bamboo forests. Today it is known for boutique hotels, hiking trails and cool mountain air.

How to get there:

• Train: High-speed rail to Deqing Railway Station (13 minutes), then taxi to Moganshan (40 minutes).
• Bus: Buses from Hangzhou North Bus Station to Deqing, then transfer.
• Private car: About 90 minutes.

Suggested itinerary:

• 08:00 — Leave Hangzhou
• 10:00 — Hike the Sword Pond and Chiang Kai-shek Villa trail
• 12:30 — Lunch at a mountain restaurant
• 14:00 — Visit Moganshan Town or relax at a cafe
• 16:30 — Return to Hangzhou

5. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) — Epic but Long

Best for: Dedicated hikers, photographers, bucket-list travelers

Huangshan is one of China’s most famous mountains, known for granite peaks, pine trees and seas of clouds. It is too far for a relaxed day trip, but possible if you start very early and return late.

How to get there:

• Train: High-speed rail from Hangzhou East to Huangshan North (1.5–2 hours), then shuttle bus to the mountain (50 minutes).
• Private car: About 3 hours one way.

Suggested itinerary:

• 06:30 — Leave Hangzhou by early train
• 09:00 — Arrive at Huangshan scenic area
• 09:30 — Cable car up, hike the West Sea Grand Canyon or Bright Summit
• 15:00 — Cable car down
• 18:00 — Return train to Hangzhou

Note: For Huangshan, we strongly recommend an overnight stay near the summit to catch sunrise.

Best Day Trip by Interest

Your Interest	Best Choice	Why
Classic water town	Wuzhen	Most iconic, best facilities
Quiet, romantic town	Xitang	Fewer crowds, covered bridges
Nature & lake views	Qiandao Lake	Fresh air, boating, cycling
Hiking & mountain air	Moganshan	Bamboo forests, boutique hotels
Bucket-list mountain	Huangshan	Dramatic peaks, sunrise potential

Practical Tips for Day Trips

Book Your Day Trip

Guided tours: Klook Hangzhou Day Trips | GetYourGuide Day Trips | Viator Hangzhou

Train tickets: Book on Trip.com

Private drivers: Book on Klook

• Book train tickets in advance on weekends and public holidays. Use Trip.com or the official 12306 app.
• Start early. Most scenic areas open by 08:00, and morning light is best for photography.
• Bring cash. Small water towns and mountain vendors may not accept international cards.
• Wear comfortable shoes. All of these trips involve walking on stone paths or trails.
• Check return transport before you leave, especially for the last bus or train.

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