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China · Asia

Hangzhou & Suzhou holidays

30.3°N · 120.2°E
At a glanceWest Lake's gardens and canal towns often called China's most beautiful, an easy add-on from Shanghai by high-speed rail.
~11.5h flight estimate3 to 5 days£25 to £205+ per dayEasy going
Before bookingEntry rules, health advice and local conditions change. Always check current official advice.Check current FCDO advice

Best time to visit Hangzhou & Suzhou

The strongest periods are March to April and October to November. May and September are good shoulder-season alternatives if you prefer fewer crowds. Daytime highs average about 15°C across the main season. Rainfall is generally limited.

Jan5°COther
Feb7°COther
Mar11°CBest
Apr17°CBest
May22°CShoulder
Jun26°COther
Jul30°COther
Aug29°COther
Sep25°CShoulder
Oct19°CBest
Nov13°CBest
Dec7°COther

How much does a trip to Hangzhou & Suzhou cost?

On the ground, including accommodation and everyday spending, allow about £25 a day at the budget end, around £60 a day mid-range and £205+ for high-end travel. A seven-night mid-range trip, including estimated return travel from London, is best treated as a planning range of £930 to £1300 per person. Return travel is modelled at about £515 off-peak, £660 typically and £935 in busy UK travel periods. These are planning estimates rather than live quotes. Available accommodation spans cheap & cheerful, simple, comfortable, premium and luxury. The quiz prices the highest available tier that fits your selected minimum and total budget.

What kind of holiday is Hangzhou & Suzhou?

Hangzhou & Suzhou is strongest for history and culture, switching off, and food and drink. The main settings are urban settings and lakes, rivers and waterfalls, and the pace is relaxing.

How flexible is it? Hangzhou & Suzhou can credibly be planned with a relaxed to active daytime pace, serene to lively evenings and off-beat to mixed crowd settings through the choice of area, hotel, activities and timing. The typical version has relaxed days, quiet evenings and a mixed setting. The quiz selects the closest credible version rather than treating it as one fixed product.
CultureRelaxationFood and drinkCity and urbanLakes, rivers and waterfallsMarchAprilOctober

Strong fit if

  • You want history and culture, switching off, and food and drink.
  • You prefer a slower, more restful pace.

Think twice if

  • You want a packed, high-energy itinerary every day.
  • You want lively nightlife every evening.

Travel from the UK

Allow roughly 11.5 hours of modelled flying time from London, before airport and transfer time. This is long-haul travel, so allowing at least a week usually makes sense.

Trips that include China

China Classic: Beijing-Xi'an-Shanghai China · 8-12 days ~11h flight estimate£40+/day3 stops China Extended: Beijing, Xi'an, Yunnan & Zhangjiajie China · 16-20 days ~11.5h flight estimate£25+/day5 stops China Scenic: Chengdu-Guilin-Yangshuo China · 8-12 days ~11h flight estimate£35+/day3 stops

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Hangzhou & Suzhou?

The strongest periods are March to April and October to November. May and September are also worth considering for lower crowds. Main-season daytime highs average about 15°C. Rainfall is generally limited.

How much does a trip to Hangzhou & Suzhou cost?

On the ground, including accommodation and everyday spending, allow about £25 a day at the budget end, around £60 a day mid-range and £205+ for high-end travel. A seven-night mid-range trip, including estimated return travel from London, is best treated as a planning range of £930 to £1300 per person. Return travel is modelled at about £515 off-peak, £660 typically and £935 in busy UK travel periods. These are planning estimates rather than live quotes.

How long is the flight or journey to Hangzhou & Suzhou from the UK?

Allow roughly 11.5 hours of modelled flying time from London, before airport and transfer time.

Who is Hangzhou & Suzhou good for?

Hangzhou & Suzhou best suits travellers looking for history and culture, switching off, and food and drink. Expect urban settings and lakes, rivers and waterfalls, with a relaxing pace.

Destinations like Hangzhou & Suzhou

Chengdu China · Asia ~11.5h flight estimate£30+/dayMild Shanghai China · Asia ~11.5h flight estimate£40+/dayMild Xi'an China · Asia ~11h flight estimate£25+/dayMild Beijing China · Asia ~11.5h flight estimate£35+/dayMild Kanazawa Japan · Asia ~11.5h flight estimate£45+/dayCool Macau East Asia · Asia ~12.5h flight estimate£55+/dayMild
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