You leave Shanghai Hongqiao at 9:15 AM. West Lake is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most celebrated landscapes in Chinese history. At 10:00 AM you are stepping off at Hangzhou East. By 10:25 AM you are standing at the edge of West Lake watching a fisherman pole a narrow boat through morning mist. This is the easiest trip in China. 45 minutes. ¥73. The hardest part is deciding whether to stay for dinner or take the 6pm train back. Stay for dinner. The lake at dusk is worth it. Full rail context: China High-Speed Rail Guide.
Key Takeaways
- 45 to 55 minutes on G-train. ¥73 second class.
- Departs Shanghai Hongqiao (metro Line 2/10). Arrives Hangzhou East (metro Line 1/4).
- West Lake to Hangzhou East by metro: 20 minutes on Line 1.
- Book on Trip.com or 12306. Booking guide.
- No advance booking required for most departures. Capacity is high. Same-day booking usually fine.
- Stay for dinner. Take the 7pm or 8pm train back to Shanghai.
Getting There
| Departure | Arrival | Duration | Price (2nd) | Train Type |
| Shanghai Hongqiao | Hangzhou East | 45 to 55 min | ¥73 | G-train (fastest) |
| Shanghai Station | Hangzhou Station | 1h to 1h 20m | ¥53 to ¥73 | D-train (more stops) |
| Shanghai Hongqiao | Hangzhou Station | 55 min to 1h 10m | ¥73 to ¥80 | Some G-trains |
Trains depart roughly every 15 to 20 minutes throughout the day from Shanghai Hongqiao. You do not need to book far in advance for this route. If your intended train is sold out, the next one leaves 15 minutes later. The exception: during Golden Week and Chinese New Year, book ahead.
Hangzhou East to West Lake
Exit Hangzhou East and follow signs to metro. Take Line 1 westbound toward the lake. Longxiangqiao station (龙翔桥) exits directly onto the eastern shore of West Lake. Journey time: about 20 minutes. Cost: ¥4. Walk out of Exit B and the lake is in front of you.
What to Do in Hangzhou
West Lake (西湖)
West Lake is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most celebrated landscapes in Chinese history. Walking the Bai Causeway and Su Causeway along the lake takes 2 to 3 hours and covers the main viewpoints. Boat hire is available for ¥70 to ¥120 per person. The {ext(‘https://whc.unesco.org’, ‘UNESCO World Heritage Committee’)} inscribed West Lake in 2011 for its influence on Chinese landscape garden design.
Longjing tea village
A 30-minute bus or DiDi ride from the lake. The hillsides southwest of the city are terraced with tea plants. In April during harvest, you can watch picking and processing. Year-round, tea shops sell fresh Longjing directly from the producer. Buy from a shop in the village rather than a tourist market near the lake.
Lingyin Temple
One of the largest Buddhist temples in China, tucked into forested hills west of the lake. Entry ¥45. Combine it with a walk along the Feilai Feng stone carvings directly outside. Arrive before 10 AM to avoid the main tour group waves.
Coming Back
Evening trains from Hangzhou East to Shanghai Hongqiao run until around 10:30 PM. No need to book the return in advance. Buy at the station on your return journey or book same-day on 12306. Hangzhou East has food options in the station if you need a quick dinner before boarding. Or eat in the city and take a later train.
Frequently Asked Questions
For the full China rail booking guide: China High-Speed Rail Guide. For the Beijing to Shanghai route: Beijing to Shanghai Train.