Cheap Way to Visit Hangzhou
By Jian Shuo Wang on 2007-04-15 12:21 · UncategorizedHello, Jian Shuo
I read quite interesting information in your blog
I’m a grandmother presently staying at my children’s place in Shanghai for a few weeks
I would like to go to Hanzhou as everybody says it’s quite beautiful
Problem is I have a very little income; could you please advise me as to the cheapest way to go there and tell me whether I can see enough in one day, or to I have to stay in a hotel for one night ?
I thank you very much in advance for your advice and congratulate you for your kindness in helping other people
Hope to get an answer real soon
Since the question is about how to get to Hangzhou really cheap, I will focus on saving budget in this guide.
Travel to Hangzhou
The cheapest way to Hangzhou, I believe, is by train. (correct me if someone found better or cheaper way).
Take Metro #1 to the Shanghai South Railway Station (or transit to #1 from all other metro system), and buy tickets to Hangzhou.
It costs 25 RMB before (I don’t have the updated price yet, but should not change too much) for single trip on the “hard seat”, which is the cheapest ticket. Since it is only 2 hours trip, it won’t be a problem for elder people.
Train Station in Hangzhou
Typically, you should arrive in New Train Station. Here is information you may need when you buy your return tickets.
Ticket Office
Wulinmen Ticket Office: No. 199, Wulin Road
Huansha Road Ticket Office: No. 147, Huansha Road
Railway Station Inquiry Number:
0571-87829424 (New Train Station)
0571-86450514 (East Train Station)
Transportation in Hangzhou
Take bus from the Train Station to the West Lake. Hangzhou has many attractions, but West Lake is definitely the top on the list. Bus takes like 2 RMB (correct me if I am wrong here. I am not so sure today), and spend your time in the West Lake area. If you only have one day, spend as long as you can in the places near West Lake.
Visiting Time
Typically, one day trip is good enough for most visitors who are lack of time or budget. You can arrive in the morning around 10:00 AM and be back at night around 8:00 PM.
Hotel
There are some nice hotel in Hangzhou and they are cheaper than in Shanghai (relatively). Home Inn (NASDAQ: HMIN) has branches there with 168 RMB room, and there are many which are cheaper than this.
To stay one night is a good idea, since the scene of the West Lake at night and in early morning is also great - even better than during the day time, in my personal opinion.
A bonus tip: don’t worry if it rains in Hangzhou. West Lake looks best (according to people’s opinion in the last thousand years) when it is raining.
Hope this helps, and have a happy trip to Hangzhou.
17 Comments
And about the returning tickets, ask the service girls in the train (they used to sell it in the train), because you should never expect to get one to return especially on Sunday if you try those ticket offices just a couple of hours in advance.
One last problem I would like to share here is about getting a taxi at weekend in Hangzhou. It took me for a while to understand why there are many cases of refusal to take passengers in town, but in one recent trip there, I met a very helpful and kind taxi driver who explained that pretty well for me. He warned me that NEVER expect to catch a taxi around West Lake area especially in the late afternoon of weekends (some other times may not apply), because no such a driver would risk to lose money in that area, too many private cars are driving into and out of that area and no one can actually move fast, so I would say don't waste your time trying to catch one, coz trying luck there doesn't sound practical at all. Allow yourself enough time to walk of the area and you will get one soon.
I will be more than happy to help if there are more tips that I haven't thought of to offer.
So everyone, it seems Caroline has the more updated information. Please follow her instruction.
Talking about hotels, I know a more economic place called 西湖之春, RMB200 for a standard room, although a little higher that Home Inn or Jingjiang Inn, it is not that crowded, I tried to book a room in this hotel several times when I failed to get one in the above two I mentioned, and it worked for me. If you don't ecpect too much from the service and so prime location, I would say this is not a bad choice. The most frequent destination of west lake for me is Yongjinmen, where West Lake Xintiandi is located(where Starbucks, Hagen-Daz and other coffee shops are located), and it takes about 10 mins(RMB10) taxi to get there in non-rush hour. http://www.hzwestlakespringhotel.com/
About restaurants in Hangzhou, I have tried a quite nice one in my last weekend trip. It's called 榆园 near Hupao Road(also West Lake area), cozy decoration with a mixture of culture(both French and Mexican to my understanding). I went there in a late Saturday afternoon, and we drove along the Botanic Garden and several other visiting places, it was really enjoyable to drive in that area with breath-taking view just aside, but again I have to warn about the traffic, it was moving slowly since so many people were driving into 满觉陇 to have afternoon tea and dinner, and it takes a little patience to get a parking lot and even a table in the restaurant.
Finnally about the satisfaction we are expecting in trips, I've always believed that no trips can be perfect, and if you start complaining, you just can't stop forever, so my advice is that stick to your plan A, but never say NO to plan B and you will find yourself more willing to visit Hangzhou again and again.
I am working and living in Hangzhou. Considering Shanghai expats' such great interest in my city, I might start giving more useful info on Hangzhou on my blog. Salute to you, Jianshuo! For never before have I thought of expanding my personal blog into some city guide site for Hangzhou.
Speaking of my blog, you guys are welcome to drop by at www.xujianfegn.com, as it already contains some writings and photos of the paradise city of Hangzhou.
It's people like you who make the world more beautiful and living in Shanghai more pleasant because you have always been son helpful and are so sincere.
I've moved out of Shanghai, but when we used to live there, we used to like going to Hangzhou a few times each year. We've tried many different restaurants there. I can recommand one Sicuan food It's called Chuanweiguan restaurant. Excellent food at very reasonable prices. I found a website on its business card, http://www.hscwg.com. There are three branches in Hangzhou. If you like spicy food, you can give it a try.
jianfeng, I trid to open your blog listed above, but it says it can't be found. Did you list the correct url?
tw
I found this page with helpful information about Hangzhou.
http://annatam.com/category/travel-in-china-hangzhou/
Does anybody knows a cheap language school there?
Thanks
Justin
I tried googling "bullet train china" for more information, but I couldn't find it.... Does anyone know?
My friend Ben and I are planning a trip to china for about 11 days. we are staying in beijing and are taking a train to shanghai but want to visit somewhere else as well. here are my questions
1. Should we visit Suzhou or Hangzhou or BOTH?? which in your opinion is better?
2. i thought about visiting "yellow mountain." could we do this in a day trip from shanghai or should we stay in a town close by?
3. Okay, if you had a choice between 1 or 2 of the destinations above, which would they be?
THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!!