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Hangzhou Seasonal Guide · 2026

Best time to visit Hangzhou
an honest season-by-season guide

Hangzhou has four genuinely distinct seasons — peach blossom on the causeways in spring, a lake full of lotus in summer, osmanthus drifting across the whole city in autumn, and the Lingering Snow on the Broken Bridge in winter. Each has something to offer, and each has something to warn you about.

The short answer
The best windows are September–early November and late March–May

If you can only pick one month, pick mid-to-late October. Temperatures sit between 12 and 22°C, the sky is a clear deep blue for days at a stretch, humidity drops sharply after the summer, and the scent of osmanthus (桂花) drifts across West Lake on the breeze. You can walk the Bai and Su causeways all day without tiring. One catch: book well in advance and arrive after October 7 — the first week is China's National Day Golden Week, when hundreds of millions of domestic travellers move at once and hotel prices peak.

If your dates land on the Mid-Autumn Festival, all the better — at the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon (三潭印月), locals light candles inside the stone pagodas so the openings glow like moons floating on the water. It is the image on the back of the one-yuan note. Tea lovers should aim for late March to April, the new Longjing harvest, when peach and willow are just coming into leaf. Summer and winter each have their own logic, but both demand more preparation.

Four seasons

What each season actually feels like

The weather, what it delivers, and what you are trading for it — told straight.

Su Causeway along West Lake, Hangzhou in spring — fresh green willows and blossom lining the lakeside walk Su Causeway · Spring Great
Spring
March – May · 9–22°C

This is West Lake at one of its loveliest. The weather is mild, the willows along the Bai Causeway (白堤) and Su Causeway (苏堤) come into fresh green leaf, and pink peach blossom runs in long lines between them. The pairing of willow and peach is the spring symbol of West Lake that Chinese poets have written about for a thousand years. Walk the lakeside early, before the crowds arrive — that is the best of it.

Late March also brings the new Longjing tea (明前) — head up to the terraces at Longjing Village and you can watch villagers hand-picking leaves. May warms to 18–22°C and stays pleasant, but watch the Labour Day Golden Week (1–5 May), when domestic travel surges.

Temperature: 9–22°C (March evenings can drop to 6–8°C)
Rain: Moderate — occasional light drizzle, not persistent
Crowds: Moderate to high around Labour Day Golden Week
Hotel prices: Mid-range, spiking over Golden Week
New Longjing tea picking starts in late March. April is the best month to walk the Longjing and Meijiawu tea terraces.
West Lake, Hangzhou in summer — broad water ringed by green hills under a heavy sky West Lake · Summer Come prepared
Summer
June – August · 26–38°C

Hangzhou in summer is hot and humid, and heavier than the thermometer suggests — some days touch 35–38°C, and the moisture off the lake makes the air feel thick. From mid-June the city enters Meiyu (梅雨), the plum rain season, when drizzle and downpours alternate for weeks. When the rains lift in July the heat intensifies and typhoons become a real possibility through September.

But summer brings one great gift — a lake full of lotus, peaking from mid-July to early August, most spectacularly at Quyuan (曲院风荷). A sea of green leaves and pink blooms at dawn is the reason many people brave the heat. Go before 8 am, ahead of the sun and the crowds.

Temperature: 26–38°C (July–August are the hottest)
Rain: Heavy — plum rain June; afternoon thunderstorms July–Aug
Crowds: Moderate (fewer foreign tourists)
Hotel prices: Mid-range
Typhoon season runs July–September. Check daily forecasts — direct hits are uncommon but heavy rain and strong winds are not, and West Lake boat tours pause in high wind. App: Windy or Weather China.
West Lake, Hangzhou at night in autumn — city lights reflected across the still water under a clear sky West Lake at night · Autumn The best
Autumn
September – November · 12–25°C

This is Hangzhou at its clearest and most comfortable. The sky turns deep blue, humidity drops, and temperatures settle at 12–25°C — perfect for walking all day. The charm no other season can match is the scent of osmanthus (桂花), in bloom from late September to mid-October, drifting right across the city around the lake. The famous spot is Manjuelong Village (满觉陇), where more than 7,000 osmanthus trees line the hillside paths.

Time it with the Mid-Autumn Festival and it gets better still — at the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon (三潭印月), candles lit inside the lake's stone pagodas glow through the openings like moons floating on the water. By late November the leaves turn gold and amber around Lingyin and the lakeshore.

Temperature: 12–25°C (November cools to 9–16°C)
Rain: Lowest of the year — many clear consecutive days
Crowds: High — National Day Golden Week 1–7 Oct is peak
Hotel prices: Highest of the year, especially Golden Week
Arrive after October 7. The weather stays just as good, the osmanthus is still fragrant, crowds thin immediately and prices return to normal. Mid-October to early November is arguably the finest window of the year.
Broken Bridge on West Lake, Hangzhou in winter — the quiet lakeside scene behind the Lingering Snow on the Broken Bridge Broken Bridge · Winter Its own kind of charm
Winter
December – February · 1–9°C

Hangzhou gets genuinely cold, and more so than the numbers suggest. Average temperatures run 1–9°C, but humidity off the lake and a damp wind make it feel closer to freezing. Snow is uncommon, but if you are lucky enough to catch it, the scene known as Lingering Snow on the Broken Bridge (断桥残雪) — one of the Ten Scenes of West Lake, where the snow melts on the north side first and the bridge appears to break in two — is the image Hangzhou lovers dream of. Indoor heating is inconsistent — pack a heavy coat.

Chinese New Year (late January or February) brings festive crowds, lanterns and lights to Lingyin Temple and the old Hefang Street, but many small restaurants close for 7–14 days, high-speed rail tickets become hard to get, and prices spike. Outside Chinese New Year, winter is the quietest and cheapest season by a wide margin — and West Lake in the morning mist has a still, quiet beauty all its own.

Temperature: 1–9°C (lake humidity makes it feel colder)
Rain: Low — damp, misty and grey rather than rainy
Crowds: Low, except Chinese New Year
Hotel prices: Lowest of the year (except Chinese New Year)
During Chinese New Year many small restaurants close for one to two weeks. Research your dining options before you arrive — the noodle shop you were counting on may be shut.
Month by month

Hangzhou every month at a glance

Temperature, rainfall and crowd levels — in one table for easy comparison.

Month Temperature Rain Crowds Notes
January 1–9°C Low Low Coldest month · cheapest hotels · chance of Broken Bridge snow
February 2–11°C Moderate High (CNY) Chinese New Year — shops close · trains packed
March 6–15°C Moderate Moderate New Longjing tea late month · peach blossom begins
April 11–21°C Moderate Moderate Willow and peach blossom · best tea-terrace walking
May 17–25°C Moderate High (Golden Week) 1–5 May: Labour Day crowds and price spike
June 21–30°C Heavy (plum rain) Moderate Meiyu plum rains from mid-month · lotus begins
July 26–38°C Heavy Moderate Hottest and most humid · lotus peak · typhoon risk
August 26–36°C Heavy Moderate Still hot · late lotus · typhoon season continues
September 20–28°C Low Moderate Osmanthus begins late month · weather improving
October 15–23°C Very low High (Golden Week) 1–7 Oct: peak crowds · after 8th: best of the year · osmanthus
November 9–18°C Low Moderate Autumn foliage around Lingyin · clear skies
December 4–12°C Low Low Low prices · quiet West Lake in the mist
When to avoid

The three Golden Weeks to plan around

China's national holidays generate the largest annual human movements on Earth — and West Lake is one of the places Chinese travellers flock to most.

1–7
Oct
National Day Golden Week
October 1–7 every year

The largest Golden Week of the year. Hundreds of millions of domestic trips happen in this single week, and Hangzhou is among the top destinations. The Bai and Su causeways and the lakeshore become so crowded that walking slows to a crawl, and West Lake boat queues stretch for hours. Hotel prices hit their annual peak. That said, the weather is excellent and the osmanthus is fragrant — manageable if you book ahead and accept the crowds. The obvious workaround: arrive on or after October 8, when the weather is identical but the crowds dissolve.

1–5
May
Labour Day Golden Week
May 1–5 every year

China's second major holiday window. Domestic tourism surges; West Lake and Lingyin Temple become difficult to walk through. Hotels fill and prices rise by 30–60%. It coincides with fresh green willows and fine weather, which only pulls more people in. If you must travel during this period, book accommodation six to eight weeks ahead and start each day early.

Jan
Feb
Chinese New Year (Spring Festival)
Late January or February · date shifts each year with the lunar calendar

China's largest holiday. Hundreds of millions travel to their home towns and tourist destinations at once. The atmosphere at Lingyin Temple and around the old Hefang Street is festive — lanterns, lights, colourful crowds. But hotels charge peak prices, small restaurants and local shops close for 7–14 days, and high-speed rail tickets book out far ahead. If you want the festival itself, plan everything well in advance; if you want a normal trip, pick a different time.

Worth knowing about

Seasonal moments that add to the trip

These are reasons to time your visit, not reasons to avoid it.

Late
Mar
New Longjing Tea Harvest (明前)
Late March–April every year · the finest tea of the year

Mingqian Longjing — picked before the Qingming Festival, around 4–5 April — begins in late March. These are the tenderest, most prized buds, and the most expensive. April is the best month to walk the terraces at Longjing Village and Meijiawu, where you can watch villagers hand-pick the leaves and pan-roast them fresh in the wok. Sipping green tea in the fields in mid-spring is a Hangzhou experience you will find nowhere else.

Jul
Aug
West Lake Lotus Festival
July–August every year · a lake full of lotus

West Lake's lotus peaks from mid-July to early August. The best viewing is at Quyuan (曲院风荷, Breeze-Ruffled Lotus at Quyuan), one of the Ten Scenes of West Lake — a broad sweep of green leaves as far as you can see. It is hot and humid, but a lake full of lotus at dawn is the reason many people brave the summer. Go before 8 am, ahead of the strong sun.

Mid-
Autumn
Mid-Autumn Festival at West Lake
September–October by the lunar calendar · the full moon over the lake

Hangzhou has been famed for moon-viewing since ancient times. On the festival night, locals light candles inside the stone pagodas at the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon (三潭印月); the light through the openings looks like several moons floating on the water. Another spot is Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake (平湖秋月) on the shore. It falls right in the middle of osmanthus season, when the whole city is fragrant.

Packing by season

What to bring for each season

Not exhaustive — just the things that actually matter for Hangzhou.

Spring
March – May
  • Layering pieces — days are mild, lakeside evenings cool
  • Compact rain jacket or umbrella — light drizzle is frequent
  • Comfortable walking shoes — for the Bai and Su causeways
  • Sunscreen — spring sun is stronger than it looks
  • Light long-sleeve layer for the Longjing tea terraces on the hill
Summer
June – August
  • Breathable fabrics only — linen or technical dry-fit; nothing else
  • A serious umbrella — plum rain and afternoon thunderstorms
  • Quick-dry footwear — lakeside paths can flood and stay wet
  • A reusable water bottle — drink constantly; the humidity is deceptive
  • Portable fan — for early lotus viewing in the sun
  • Typhoon app — Windy or Weather China, checked daily
Autumn
September – November
  • Light layers — mornings and evenings are 5–10°C cooler than midday
  • A mid-weight jacket — November turns cold quickly
  • Good walking shoes — for the Manjuelong osmanthus hills
  • Camera or a good phone — clear skies, West Lake at its best
  • A windproof layer for moon-viewing — if your trip hits Mid-Autumn
Winter
December – February
  • A proper heavy coat — lake humidity makes 5°C feel like 0°C
  • Gloves and a scarf — essential, not optional, in the lake wind
  • Insulated footwear — long outdoor waits in the cold
  • Thermal base layer — some restaurants and shops are poorly heated
  • Dining plan for Chinese New Year — research which restaurants stay open
The city every season

Hangzhou in every light

Whatever month you arrive, there is something worth seeing.

Leifeng Pagoda on the shore of West Lake, Hangzhou — striking in every season
Longjing tea terraces near Hangzhou — rows of green tea bushes on the hillside
Lingyin Temple, Hangzhou — an ancient temple set among green wooded hills
Frequently asked

FAQ · Before you book

What is the best time to visit Hangzhou?
Autumn — particularly mid-October to early November — is the finest window. Temperatures sit at 12–22°C, the sky is clear, humidity is low, and the scent of osmanthus (桂花) drifts across the whole city. If your trip lands on the Mid-Autumn Festival you can watch the full moon over West Lake at the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon. Spring (March–May) runs it close — peach blossom and willows along the Bai and Su causeways, plus the new Longjing tea harvest in late March. See our overview of when to visit China for the wider picture.
When does the osmanthus bloom in Hangzhou?
Osmanthus (桂花, guihua) blooms from late September to mid-October, scenting the whole city and especially the area around West Lake. The most famous spot is Manjuelong Village (满觉陇) south of the lake, where more than 7,000 osmanthus trees line the hillside paths. The West Lake Osmanthus Festival runs through September and October each year.
When should you avoid visiting Hangzhou?
Avoid the three Chinese Golden Weeks: National Day (1–7 October), Labour Day (1–5 May) and Chinese New Year (late January or February). Hundreds of millions of domestic travellers move at once, and Hangzhou is among the most popular destinations. West Lake and the Bai and Su causeways become almost impossible to walk, hotel prices spike, and boat queues stretch for hours. If you must travel in October, arrive after the 7th — the weather is identical but the crowds thin noticeably.
Is Hangzhou worth visiting in winter?
Genuinely yes, and it has a particular charm. Winter temperatures average 1–9°C, and humidity off the lake makes it feel colder. Snow is uncommon, but when it falls the scene known as Lingering Snow on the Broken Bridge (断桥残雪) — one of the Ten Scenes of West Lake — is the image Hangzhou lovers dream of. The upside is real: fewer tourists than any other season and the lowest hotel prices of the year (outside Chinese New Year). See our Hangzhou hotel guide for winter value picks.
When do the lotus flowers bloom at West Lake?
Lotus flowers at West Lake bloom from late June to October, peaking from mid-July to early August. The best viewing spot is Quyuan (曲院风荷), one of the Ten Scenes of West Lake, on the northwest shore. The West Lake Lotus Festival runs in July and August. It is hot and humid, but a lake full of lotus at dawn is the reason many people brave the summer.
When is the new Longjing tea harvested? Can I see it?
New Longjing tea (明前, Mingqian — picked before the Qingming Festival around 4–5 April) begins in late March. These are the tenderest, most prized buds of the year. April is the best month to walk the tea terraces at Longjing Village and Meijiawu, where you can watch villagers hand-pick the leaves and pan-roast them fresh. If tea is your reason to visit, late March to April is the window.
Hangzhou City Guide
Hotels, sights, West Lake, getting around and practical tips
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West Lake — The Full Guide
The Ten Scenes · Bai and Su causeways · boats · moon-viewing spots
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Top 10 Hotels in Hangzhou
Every budget — with real prices and direct booking links
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Longjing Tea Village
Hillside tea terraces · Mingqian tea · green tea in the fields
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Top Attractions in Hangzhou
West Lake · Lingyin Temple · Leifeng Pagoda · Hefang Street
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Best Time to Visit China — Overview
Compare the seasons across China's major cities
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