Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the best times to visit Hangzhou. The weather is pleasant, the scenery is at its finest, and the city is easy to explore at a comfortable pace.
That said, the ideal month for your trip depends on what you most want to experience. The guide below will help you find the timing that suits you best.
Best time for Hangzhou at a Glance
| If you want to… | Best time to visit |
|---|---|
| Stroll West Lake at its most beautiful | March – May |
| See spring blossoms & pick fresh tea | Late March – early April |
| Enjoy cool weather & osmanthus fragrance | Late September – November |
| See Hangzhou without the crowds | December – February |
Best Time for Most Vibrant Scenery and Experiences
March to May (14–22℃) is the best time to visit Hangzhou if you want to see the city at its most beautiful and experience its most iconic highlights.
West Lake is at its most inviting during this season. The water is calm, the hills turn green, and the Su Causeway is lined with willows and peach blossoms. The weather is mild, making it easy to spend a full day walking, boating, and exploring at a relaxed pace.
Spring in West Lake, HangzhouWe especially recommend late March to early April, since you can experience both peak blossoms and the start of the most prized tea harvest at this time.
Taiziwan Park fills with cherry blossoms and tulips, while hydrangeas, magnolias, and crabapple blossoms can be found in other temples and parks. Even a simple walk through different parts of the city brings constant changes in scenery.
The tea villages around Longjing and Meijiawu also come to life. Tea picked before Qingming Festival (around 4–5 April), known as Mingqian Longjing, is the most delicate of the year, with a noticeably fresher and lighter taste.
Visiting the tea villages around Longjing or Meijiawu, walking through the terraces, and watching the stir-frying tea process gives you a more immersive experience, very suitable for both couples and families. You can see our 1-Day Dragon Well Tea Culture & West Lake Tour.
Picking tea in the tea fieldsTips:
1. Spring is very popular in Hangzhou. The Qingming holiday (4 April) and Labour Day Golden Week (1–5 May) both bring noticeable crowds to West Lake. We suggest planning your visit in mid-to-late March, or in the weeks between the two holidays, for the best balance of good weather and manageable crowds.
2. March and April are the best months for fresh picking and stir-frying tea, but you can still practice tea-picking, appreciate the art of the tea ceremony, and enjoy premium tastings regardless of when you visit.
Best Time for the Most Comfortable Weather
Autumn is Hangzhou's most comfortable season. From late September through November (12–22℃), the summer heat fades into crisp, dry air, and West Lake takes on a beautiful golden quality. The best things to experience are the osmanthus blossoms and the autumn foliage.
Autumn Foliage in HangzhouThe season begins with the osmanthus bloom from late September to mid-October. The city is filled with a sweet fragrance that you will notice long before you see the flowers. For the best experience, visit Manjuelong Village.
If you are there between October and early November, stop by Manlong Guiyu Park. As the main venue for the West Lake Osmanthus Festival, it features local markets, flower-infused tea, and folk performances.
If your trip falls around the Mid-Autumn Festival (usually from late September to early October), you may also catch the Qiantang River tidal bore. The most spectacular viewing usually occurs on the 18th day of the eighth lunar month, typically between late morning and early afternoon.
The Tides of the Qiantang RiverBy November, the foliage shifts to brilliant amber and rust. For the most vibrant views, skip the general lakeside paths and head to Hupao Park or Jiuxi Yanshu (Nine Creeks). These spots are famous for their red maples and golden ginkgo trees, making them ideal for hiking without the summer humidity. You can see our 7-Day Huangshan, Shanghai and Hangzhou Tour.
Tips: We recommend avoiding the National Day Golden Week (1–7 October), as Hangzhou becomes exceptionally crowded. Visiting from 8 October onwards offers a much quieter experience with the same stunning scenery.
Best Time to See Hangzhou Without the Crowds
From December through February (0–12℃), Hangzhou slows down significantly. This is the best time to visit if you prefer exploring West Lake without the crowds. You will also find that hotel rates are at their lowest during these months.
While the landscape is quieter, it remains beautiful. From late January through February, plum blossoms begin to bloom around Gushan Island. These delicate, fragrant flowers against the winter backdrop are a highlight of the season.
If it snows, the city transforms. The sight of the Broken Bridge dusted in white is one of the most iconic images in Chinese culture. It feels as though you have stepped directly into a classical ink painting.
Hangzhou's West Lake in the SnowIf your visit coincides with the Spring Festival (late January or February), you can experience a different energy. Places like Songcheng host traditional temple fairs with lanterns, seasonal food, and folk performances, which are excellent for families.
When to Avoid Visiting Hangzhou
If you dislike heat and humidity, avoid mid-June through mid-September. The plum rain season (mid-June to early July) brings persistent grey skies and saturated air, and the weeks that follow are Hangzhou's hottest. Combined with the Chinese school summer holidays in July and August, this is the most uncomfortable and crowded stretch of the year.
If you want to avoid rain, avoid Summer, especially June and September. Hangzhou is a fairly wet city year-round, and summer is the rainiest season. For the dry and clear weather, we suggest choosing Autumn and Winter (October–February).
If you want to avoid crowds, steer clear of the weekends and Chinese public holidays. Hangzhou is one of the most popular destinations for domestic visitors, so you'll find large crowds during these holidays.
The Four Seasons in Hangzhou
Hangzhou has four distinct seasons, abundant rainfall, and ample sunshine. With an average annual temperature of around 17℃ the overall climate is mild and humid, making it very comfortable.
Spring (March to May) — Best for Peak Blossoms & Tea Culture
- Temperature: 8–26°C (46–79°F); Rainfall: 107.5mm ; Rainy days: 11
- The most popular time to visit, with West Lake at its most scenic
- Cherry blossoms and peach flowers peak in late March to early April
- Prime season for Longjing tea picking, especially before Qingming (early April)
- Shoulder season (avoid Qingming holiday and Labour Day Golden Week)
Summer (June to September) — Best for Lush Greenery & Lotus Blooms
- Temperature: 22–35°C (72–95°F); Rainfall: 144.5 mm; Rainy days: 12
- Xixi Wetland is at its most lush, ideal for boat trips through the waterways
- West Lake lotus flowers bloom in July and August
- Hot and humid; plan outdoor activities in the morning
- Busy season
Lotus Flowers at West Lake in SummerAutumn (October to November) — Best Overall Season
- Temperature: 10–29°C (50–84°F); Rainfall: 59 mm; Rainy days: 6
- The most comfortable time to visit, with dry weather and pleasant temperatures
- Osmanthus fragrance fills the city from late September to mid-October
- Ginkgo and maple foliage colour the lakeside paths in October and November
- Shoulder season; avoid National Day Golden Week (1–7 October)
Winter (December to February) — Quiet and Affordable
- Temperature: 0–12°C (32–54°F); Rainfall: 50 mm; Rainy/snowy days: 7
- Low season, with the fewest crowds and lowest hotel rates
- Plum blossoms around Gushan Island bloom from late January through February
- Snow is rare
- Spring Festival temple fairs (late January or February) offer a festive local experience
Hangzhou Weather by Month
| January | February | March | April |
|---|---|---|---|
| May | June | July | August |
| September | October | November | December |
Plan Your Hangzhou Trip with Us
We specialise in private, tailor-made itineraries for couples and families, putting together seamless journeys that take the guesswork out of planning: expert local guides, hand-picked hotels, and transport handled from start to finish.
Contact us to share your travel dates and interests, and we will take care of the rest. Or browse our Hangzhou tours below to start getting ideas.