Staycation in Hangzhou: secret routes to unwind away from the swelter

Sometimes all a vacation takes is a room tucked away in the hills, a hot spring soak that melts away the week's fatigue, or an afternoon on a boat with a pot of tea and the sound of water. This city alone is enough to give you a proper escape. We have mapped out several staycation routes in Hangzhou for you to choose from, and those are best for those who like experiencing a few different settings on a trip, without feeling rushed by a packed schedule.

Plan A: The City Wanderer

Morning｜Xixi Wetland: Hand-Rowed Boat

A boatman rows you slowly into the heart of Xixi Wetland, past banks lined with reeds and persimmon trees. The water is so still that you can hear the oars dipping in and out. Now and then, a white egret glides past, and the white walls and dark-tiled roofs of old villas ripple in the reflection. For a moment, it feels like stepping into a Jiangnan ink-wash painting. Bring a pot of tea you enjoy, lean back against the side of the boat to taste it slowly, and let the whole morning belong to this water town.

Address: Xixi Wetland – Zhoujiakou Entrance

Price: ¥80/person

Afternoon to Night｜Xishang Hupao 1934 Hotel

After the boat ride, take a taxi over to Hupao and check in—there is nothing else on the agenda for the rest of the day. Open the door and you'll be greeted by layers of bamboo and tree shadows, sunlight filtering through the leaves, and the air itself carrying a hint of green freshness. That's exactly why so many guests describe it as "greenery pressing right up against the big window at the foot of the bed." In the evening, take a short stroll along the path beside the hotel to Hupao Spring Park, just steps away, and listen to the mountain spring trickle. The hotel has its own restaurant, so no need to worry about where to go for dinner—just enjoy a leisurely meal to close out the day.

Address: 6-1 Huyu Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou

Price: from ¥2172/night (check the booking platform for current rates)

Plan B: The Water Town Wanderer

Morning| Gongchen Bridge & Xiaohe Straight Street

Sleep until you wake up naturally, then head to Gongchen Bridge by the canal and wander through this historic district, where the architectures still keep the look of the late Qing and early Rubicam eras. Flagstone lanes, old residential house, cafes and tea houses sitting side by side, which is the most lived-in stretch of the canal in all of Hangzhou. Just strolling around here can easily fill a whole morning.

Afternoon｜Xingxing Tea & Wine House

Tucked inside an old house along Xiaohe Straight Street, right beside a branch of the Grand Canal. Pushing open the door, you can still see the weathered wood grain running along the beams and columns. Sit down at an outdoor table by the water, order a pot of tea and some snacks in Jiangnan style, and you'll catch a hand-rowed boat gliding unhurriedly across the water. It is as if centuries of the canal's everyday warmth have settled into this single cup of tea.

Address: Unit 11, Floor 1, No.9 Xiaohe Donghexia, Gongchen Subdistrict, Gongshu District, Hangzhou

Price: ¥99/person

Time: 13:00 – 23:00
Source: Hangzhoufeel