Hangzhou Unfiltered: Real Tourist Traps vs. Actual Gems. Your turn, folks!

[Johnathan Schmeler]

Wow, Hangzhou tour! I've got some things to share, just in case you're planning a trip!

First: ️ CAUTION! Avoid taxis! Never have I encountered such a frustrating experience. It's absolutely nauseating.

Now, I'll share my "gotcha" moments along with some tips:

• About Food:

  • The famous "Hangzhou Vinegared Fish", to be frank, is not good at all. Local Hangzhou residents are probably aware of this too; if you check those food apps, recommendations for it are scarce. Other dishes were similar – rather unremarkable. I found a popular restaurant by the West Lake and ordered several dishes; the flavors were quite mediocre.
  • Don't pin much hope on "Crab Meat Dumplings"; they are pricey and flavor-wise, just alright although they contain crab meat and yolk as advertised.
  • If you're tempted by West Lake sweet treats, think twice; they aren’t good enough. Hangzhou’s sweet treats generally offer poor value; instead, it might be better to just grab something off the streets. Of course, maybe I just didn’t have good luck each time; if you find any good ones, make sure to share!
  • Do not eat the grilled squid served at the food street – I strongly advise against it. However, the local stinky tofu recipe seems pretty authentic, so go ahead and try some if intrigued.

• Accommodation & Shopping:

  • You don’t necessarily need to stick near the West Lake scenic area for accommodation; prices there are outrageous for negligible reasons. Just opt for a spot close to subway stations, more practical.
  • Don’t bother with lotus root powder (到处都有，尤其南方), not unique to Hangzhou, unnecessary purchase; instead, go for fridge magnets— better souvenir options.
  • Unless you’re a connoisseur, the Longjing tea you might buy at tourist spots may not match up to the quality you taste regularly, thus not worth much effort.
  • Check out the local shopping centers; goods are plentiful. However, if coming from a big city, it will seem familiar, all malls in major cities look alike!

• The West Lake & Surrounding Areas:

  • It’s worth checking out the “Three Pools Mirroring the Moon” island right at the center – the scenery can mirror the design on ¥1 RMB bills which makes for great photos.
  • I personally felt the Leifeng Pagoda isn’t too worthwhile; expensive ticket prices for limited content—the original historical pagoda has long collapsed and while this newer addition showcases stories from " Legend of the White Snake ", it doesn’t hold significant allure.
  • Nearby, the Jingci Temple is worth a visit; admission fees are reasonable for browsing Buddha statues inside.
  • After the temple, consider taking a scenic electric vehicle to the subway station, otherwise stroll around to explore shops selling souvenirs if interested in smaller items for sale.
  • The West Lake is indeed quite expansive, so covering it entirely by foot is unrealistic, leading to tiring walks.
  • Boats are available for hire on the lake; large powered ones or smaller row boats. Weather permitting, row boats provide experience and views despite pricing higher than alternatives.

• Longjing Village Experience:

  • Should you visit Longjing village known for growing Longjing tea, beware of villagers enticing tourists into tasting tea, typically 20 yuan per cup, continuous refills with persuasive offers for purchases of tea – fine for big groups seeking experiences, less critical for smaller ones.
  • Main attraction is the landscape, tea fields scenic enough for picture-taking before leaving.
  • For deeper cultural understanding, travel further inside the village to “Longjing Tea Cultural Experience Area”—not costly entry-wise. I was told one could hike even beyond, reach a temple, yet I felt too fatigued.

• Notable Additional Tips:

  • 强烈推荐在大运河坐船游！ A mere few yuan ticket, far more economical compared to West Lake visits, offering greater pleasure.京杭大运算是古代中国一条非常重要水路！
  • If timing aligns properly, venture further to the Qiantang River to witness tidal surge, an incredibly picturesque sight albeit distant viewing from specific observation points.
  • If you'll be hailing ride-hailing services (via apps), inquire drivers about locations or food spots highly recommended by locals too.

• ️ Special Precautions:

  • Reaffirming advice from earlier, taxis and ride-hailing can be quite the downer. Reasons will vary but expect difficulties ensuring overall satisfaction. This truly took my breath away due to the negative taxi experience I endured.
  • Portions of central Hangzhou might implement 'controlled access' measures (根据车牌号限制某些车在特定时间进入特定区域). Ensure thorough checks on local traffic websites if driving or renting vehicles to prevent any fines inadvertently incurred.

I hope this helps. Have a fantastic journey!