Hangzhou

Hangzhou has been called China's most beautiful city for centuries — Marco Polo reportedly described it as the finest in the world. Its heart is West Lake, a calm, willow-fringed lake of causeways, islands, pagodas and temples that has inspired poets and painters for a thousand years.

Walk or cycle the lakeside paths, take a boat to the islands, and climb to Leifeng Pagoda or the Lingyin Temple for views. Just outside the city, the Longjing (Dragon Well) tea villages roll across green hills — the source of China's most famous green tea. Hangzhou is an easy day or weekend trip from Shanghai, 45 minutes away by train.

Getting there: Hangzhou Xiaoshan (HGH) airport has domestic and international flights. High-speed rail is the easiest option from Shanghai (45 minutes), Nanjing and Suzhou — Hangzhou East station is well connected to the metro.

Getting around: The metro plus buses cover the city; the West Lake area is best explored on foot or by rental bike. Taxis and Didi fill the gaps, and the lake is compact enough to walk a circuit over a day.

Hangzhou's cuisine is delicate and sweet-savoury. The classics are West Lake vinegar fish, Longjing shrimp (stir-fried with the local tea leaves), dongpo pork (slow-braised, melt-in-the-mouth pork belly) and beggar's chicken. Pair them with a cup of fresh Longjing tea.

Mar–May and Sep–Nov

Avoid weekends and public holidays, when West Lake gets crowded. Visit the Longjing tea villages early for a quieter experience, and book popular restaurants for dinner. Spring (March–April) brings cherry blossom and the first tea harvest.