Hangzhou
Hangzhou is the capital and most populated city of Zhejiang province, China. Situated at the intersection of the southern terminus of the Grand Canal and the head of Hangzhou Bay, Hangzhou is one of the core cities of Southeast China's Yangtze Delta Metropolitan. Renowned as one of the Eight Ancient Capitals of China, Hangzhou is celebrated for its natural and cultural heritage and China's top tourist attraction the West Lake. The city has three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the West Lake Cultural Landscape, the Grand Canal, and the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City. The city hosts the headquarters of Alibaba Group, Ant Group, DeepSeek, Geely, and NetEase.
Typical weather
1981–presentCity Rhythm
measuredOpening hours, by kind of place
median across mapped venuesVital absurdities
measured · the Anti-AwardsSame time system
by rhythmWhat to do each season
4winter
chilly, cloudy and drier; openmeteo mean 3.5-5.6 °C (Wikipedia January average ~5 °C); occasional snow; extremes to −9.6 °C; relatively dry (Dec-Feb 1.4-2.8 mm/day); low sunshine
- the chilly damp winter — the West Lake mist and the Lingyin Temple trails at their quietest; the tea fields dormant
spring
warming; openmeteo mean 10.0-21.2 °C; the cloudiest period (March only 30% possible sunshine); the lead-in to the plum rains
- the Longjing (Dragon Well) tea spring harvest — the defining seasonal economy around West Lake; the blossoms
summer
long, very hot and humid; openmeteo mean 24.7-28.2 °C (Jul 28.2; extreme 41.9 °C); the plum rains of the Asian monsoon in June (Jun wettest 7.8 mm/day); the sunniest month August (51% sunshine)
- the plum rains (June) then oppressive July-August heat — life shifts to the West Lake evening and the air-conditioned malls
- the Qiantang tidal bore (lunar Aug 15-18) — 'the Biggest Tide in the World', up to 12 m
autumn
cooling; openmeteo mean 12.1-23.9 °C; typhoon storms possible Aug-Sep (seldom direct); then the clear comfortable window
- the best window — the West Lake Impression show season, the osmanthus bloom, and the comfortable walking around the lake and the Grand Canal
What it is known for
Important moments in a year
2022 Asian Games
- Hangzhou became the third Chinese city to host the Asian Games (after Beijing 1990 and Guangzhou 2010)
2016 G20 Summit
- Hangzhou hosted the eleventh G20 summit
- the city presented itself as 'Paradise on Earth'
Qiantang Tidal Bore
- the Qiantang Tide — 'the Biggest Tide in the World'
- the world's largest tidal bore races up the Qiantang River, reaching up to 12 m
On the record
source-trackedHangzhou's climate is humid subtropical (Köppen Cfa) with four distinct seasons, characterised by long, very hot, humid summers and chilly, cloudy and drier winters, albeit with occasional snow.
The city receives an average annual rainfall of 1,438 mm and is affected by the plum rains of the Asian monsoon in June. In late summer (August to September), Hangzhou suffers typhoon storms, but typhoons seldom strike it directly.
The city has three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the West Lake Cultural Landscape, the Grand Canal, and the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City.
Hangzhou is known for originating Longjing tea, a notable variety of green tea. It is the most famous green tea and the most famous tea in China.
Marco Polo visited the city, describing it as one of the finest in the world.
The city served as the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty from 1127 until the Mongol conquest in 1276. During this period, its population is estimated to have reached around one million, making it one of the largest cities in the world at the time.
The city hosts the headquarters of Alibaba Group, Ant Group, DeepSeek, Geely, and NetEase.
Every year during August 15 to August 18 of the lunar month, the Qiantang Tide occurs. It is called 'the Biggest Tide in the World'. The world's largest tidal bore races up the Qiantang River reaching up to 12 m in height.
Hangzhou has a smart city initiative and undertakes efforts to digitize the economy and build a cashless city.
Hangzhou is one of the premier places to eat in China. Typical specialties include dongpo rou and cùyú (fish with a vinegar sauce).
The method behind this atlas — 196 pp. Not published yet.