West Lake sits at the center of Hangzhou in every sense. The lake stretches roughly 6 square kilometers, ringed by willow-lined causeways, arched stone bridges, and low forested hills that keep the city's towers at a polite distance. The best way to take it in is on foot or by bike along the Bai or Su Causeway where the pace slows naturally and the lake opens up on either side. It looks better on overcast mornings than in full sun — mist softens the hills, and the scene takes on the quality of an ink painting.

Lingyin is one of the largest Buddhist temples in China. Before you reach the temple gates, the path leads through a limestone gorge called Feilai Feng, where hundreds of Buddhist figures are carved into the cliff face above a running stream. Most of the carvings date from the 10th to 13th centuries, ranging from small niches to seated figures nearly as tall as a house. Beyond the gorge, the complex is vast and genuinely active, with incense smoke drifting through the courtyards and worshippers moving between the halls throughout the day.

Leifeng Pagoda stands on West Lake’s southern shore, but today’s tower is not the original. The original pagoda was built in 977 AD and collapsed in 1924; the current 71-meter tower was rebuilt in 2002 above the excavated foundations. From the upper floors, you get a wide view over West Lake and the surrounding hills, especially near dusk when the water catches the last light. Its connection to the Legend of the White Snake, one of China’s best-known folk stories, gives the rebuilt landmark more cultural weight than it might otherwise have.

Longjing Village sits in the hills west of West Lake, surrounded by the terraced fields that produce Dragon Well tea, one of China’s best-known green teas. The village is compact and walkable, with stone paths leading through rows of low tea bushes and occasional views of West Lake in the distance. During the first harvest from March to early April, pickers collect the leaves by hand, and the air carries a faint grassy sweetness.With teahouses lining the road, Longjing is a good place to experience Hangzhou’s tea culture.