A spacious airport terminal with travellers waiting by the windows

Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH) · China

12-Hour Layover in Hangzhou: What To Do

By AirConnect Editorial

Things to do in Hangzhou

Tours, tickets & day trips

Browse Hangzhou

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Rest near the airportHotels near Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport on Expedia

Quick answer

Can you leave the airport on a 12-hour layover in Hangzhou?

Entry

144-hour transit visa free at HGH for 53+ countries. Must connect to a THIRD country.

Into town

Metro Line 19 + Line 7 (opened 2022): 50-70 min, CNY 6-12 (~USD 0.85-1.70).

Time outside

6–8 hours exploring

Times from HGH arrivals. Check entry rules for your passport before you fly.

Top Hangzhou: Where to Go

The sights in Hangzhou worth leaving the airport for.

West Lake (Xihu, UNESCO) (West Lake)1

West Lake (Xihu, UNESCO)

UNESCO-listed — one of China's most beautiful lakes. Iconic Su Causeway + Broken Bridge + Leifeng Pagoda. Free public access. 3-4 hours minimum. Rent bike.

Photo: Takashishin, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Lingyin Temple (Temple of Soul's Retreat) (Lingyin Temple)2

Lingyin Temple (Temple of Soul's Retreat)

Historic 4th-century Buddhist temple with rock-carved Feilai Feng (Flying Peak). CNY 45 entry. 2 hours.

Photo: Tyg728, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

landmark

Song Dynasty Town (theme park)

Chinese-style theme park recreating Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD) capital. CNY 320 entry. 3-4 hours. Family favourite.

Itinerary ideas for Hangzhou

Pick the plan that fits the time between your flights.

3 hours

3 hours in Hangzhou

Stay airside — 3h is too tight

See the 3-hour plan
6 hours

6 hours in Hangzhou

4–5 hours in the city (stay close)

See the 6-hour plan
12 hours
You are here

12 hours in Hangzhou

6–8 hours exploring

24 hours

24 hours in Hangzhou

18–20 hours — treat it as a mini trip

See the 24-hour plan

Insider tip

HGH is 27km E of Hangzhou centre. Metro Line 19 + 7 connect airport to city — direct in 50-70 min for CNY 6-12 (opened 2022). DiDi CNY 90-160 faster. Hangzhou is legendary as "paradise on earth" per Marco Polo + Chinese poets. West Lake is the ultimate reason to visit + can be done in 3-4 hours. For 12+ hour layovers: West Lake + Lingyin Temple + tea village combo. Autumn (Sep-Nov) most beautiful with red maples + osmanthus fragrance.

Into Hangzhou

Getting to Hangzhou City Centre

ModeCostTime
Metro Line 19 + Line 7 (opened 2022)CNY 6-12 (~USD 0.85-1.70)50-70 min
Airport shuttle busCNY 20 (~USD 2.80)55-75 min
DiDi (ride-hail app)CNY 90-160 (USD 13-22)35-55 min
Airport taxi (metered)CNY 120-180 (USD 17-25)35-55 min
Eat like a local

Eat Like a Local in Hangzhou

West Lake vinegar fish (xihu cuyu — Hangzhou classic). Beggar's chicken (jiaohuaji). Dongpo pork. Longjing tea shrimp (long jing xiaren). Osmanthus and sweet potato cakes. Longjing green tea.

12 hours in Hangzhou

12-Hour Itinerary

1234560h1h2h3h4h5h6h7h8h9h10h11h12h
1. Clear passport control and head into Hangzhou2. West Lake (Xihu, UNESCO)3. Lingyin Temple (Temple of Soul's Retreat)4. Eat like a local5. Longjing tea village + tea plantations6. Back to Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport
1

0–60 min

Clear passport control and head into Hangzhou

Take Metro Line 19 + Line 7 (opened 2022) (50-70 min, CNY 6-12 (~USD 0.85-1.70)).

2

1–4 hrs

West Lake (Xihu, UNESCO)

UNESCO-listed — one of China's most beautiful lakes. Iconic Su Causeway + Broken Bridge + Leifeng Pagoda. Free public access. 3-4 hours minimum. Rent bike.

3

4–6 hrs

Lingyin Temple (Temple of Soul's Retreat)

Historic 4th-century Buddhist temple with rock-carved Feilai Feng (Flying Peak). CNY 45 entry. 2 hours.

4

6–8 hrs

Eat like a local

West Lake vinegar fish (xihu cuyu — Hangzhou classic). Beggar's chicken (jiaohuaji). Dongpo pork. Longjing tea shrimp (long jing xiaren). Osmanthus and sweet potato cakes. Longjing green tea.

5

8–10 hrs

Longjing tea village + tea plantations

Longjing (Dragon Well) tea — one of China's finest teas grown here. Village visits + tastings CNY 100-200. Half-day.

6

10–12 hrs

Back to Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport

Head back to Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport by Metro Line 19 + Line 7 (opened 2022) (50-70 min, CNY 6-12 (~USD 0.85-1.70)). Be at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight.

Your questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a visa for a 12-hour layover in Hangzhou?

144-hour transit visa free at HGH for 53+ countries. Must connect to a THIRD country. Check the rules for your own passport before you fly.

Is 12 hours enough to leave Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport?

6–8 hours exploring. Getting into Hangzhou by Metro Line 19 + Line 7 (opened 2022) takes 50-70 min each way.

How do I get from Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport to Hangzhou centre?

Metro Line 19 + Line 7 (opened 2022): 50-70 min, CNY 6-12 (~USD 0.85-1.70). Airport shuttle bus: 55-75 min, CNY 20 (~USD 2.80). DiDi (ride-hail app): 35-55 min, CNY 90-160 (USD 13-22). Airport taxi (metered): 35-55 min, CNY 120-180 (USD 17-25).

Trains & buses from Hangzhou

Compare overland routes — often cheaper, more scenic and skip the airport queue.

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Southeast Asia trains, buses & ferries

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Flights from Hangzhou

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A made-up hotel bed with white pillows and warm bedside lamps

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Hotels near Hangzhou Airport

With 12 hours, a day-use hotel room is worth it — shower, sleep, and recharge before your next flight.

Find hotels in Hangzhou

Hotels, hostels & more · Trip.com

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Also useful for your Hangzhou trip

Hangzhou Airport Transport

Bus · metro · taxi costs

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Luggage Storage

Store bags near Hangzhou airport

Stay connected abroad — no roaming bills

Buy a travel eSIM before you fly and install it by QR code.

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Airlines that fly to Hangzhou

See each airline’s route map: where else it flies from HGH.

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Airport lounges at Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport

Wait for your flight in a lounge — one membership covers lounges at airports across the country and worldwide.

Hangzhou travel deals

Weekly layover, flight + hotel deals. No spam.

How a layover in Hangzhou works

Passport and a phone with a booking on a red suitcase

01

Check you can leave

144-hour transit visa free at HGH for 53+ countries. Must connect to a THIRD country.

Photo: Jacob on Pexels.

A car on a country road heading towards the mountains

02

Head into town

Metro Line 19 + Line 7 (opened 2022): 50-70 min, CNY 6-12 (~USD 0.85-1.70).

Photo: Artem Yellow on Pexels.

03

Back in time for your flight

Head back to Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport by Metro Line 19 + Line 7 (opened 2022) (50-70 min, CNY 6-12 (~USD 0.85-1.70)). Be at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight.

Ready for Hangzhou?

Tours, tickets and day trips that fit between your flights.

Browse Hangzhou

Other connection lengths in Hangzhou