China · Asia
Hangzhou, China: cost, safety and best time to visit (2026)
Population: 9.2MCurrency: CNYTime zone: Asia/Shanghai
US travel advisory
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Best months to visit
Apr, May and Oct
highest visit score, Open-Meteo climate record
About Hangzhou
Hangzhou is a city in eastern China with a population of about 9.2 million people. It is not the national capital, and travel there is typically priced in the local currency, the Chinese yuan (CNY). For visitors budgeting in US dollars, a day in the city runs about $55 on a budget plan, $125 for a mid-range stay, or $265 for a luxury one, which works out to $385, $875, or $1,855 over a full week. The most favorable weather, based on long-term visit scoring, falls in April, May, and October, when temperatures are milder and rain is less disruptive than in the summer months. Travelers who want lower prices and thinner crowds tend to look at February, July, and August instead. Because China carries a country-level US State Department advisory and detailed UK Foreign Office guidance, it is worth reading up on local rules and staying alert to your surroundings, particularly around identification requirements and large public gatherings.
Weather through the year
Average high in °C and monthly rainfall in mm, from the Open-Meteo archive.
Jan
12°
40mm
Feb
11°
98mm
Mar
18°
76mm
Apr
24°
143mm
May
27°
144mm
Jun
29°
367mm
Jul
34°
188mm
Aug
35°
150mm
Sep
31°
167mm
Oct
25°
57mm
Nov
19°
64mm
Dec
13°
23mm
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a week in Hangzhou cost?
A seven-day trip runs about $385 on a budget plan, $875 mid-range, or $1,855 for a luxury trip, covering lodging, meals, transport, and some activities. These are estimated daily costs multiplied out, so actual spending will vary with personal habits.
When is the best time to visit Hangzhou?
April, May, and October have the highest visit scores in the climate data, reflecting a balance of warm-but-not-extreme temperatures and manageable rainfall. These three months are also the peak season, so expect more visitors and possibly higher prices.
Is Hangzhou safe to visit?
The US State Department places China at Level 3, Reconsider Travel, at the country level, not specific to Hangzhou. UK guidance flags risks from national security laws, scams targeting tourists, and rare but real crime, so normal caution and awareness of your surroundings are advised.
Can I visit Hangzhou on a tight budget?
Yes, the budget estimate of $55 a day covers basic lodging, simple meals, and local transport, making a low-cost trip realistic. Traveling in the off-season months can help stretch that budget further.
What is the cheapest time of year to visit?
February, July, and August are the off-season months, with lower demand and generally lower prices than the April, May, and October peak. July and August are also considerably hotter and wetter, which is part of why they are quieter.
What should I know about food and getting around?
Local transport and everyday meals are typically inexpensive relative to lodging, which makes up a larger share of daily costs at every budget tier. Given the country-level safety guidance, it is sensible to keep track of belongings at busy transit hubs and market areas.
Keep reading
More on Hangzhou
Where it ranks
Country
Sources
- GeoNames city database — CC BY 4.0, fetched September 14, 2026
- Open-Meteo climate archive — CC BY 4.0, fetched September 21, 2026
- World Bank price level and exchange rate — CC BY 4.0, data year 2025
- US State Department travel advisories — public domain, fetched September 21, 2026
- UK FCDO foreign travel advice — Open Government Licence v3, fetched September 21, 2026
AI-written interpretation reviewed against the data above — claude-sonnet-5, generated September 21, 2026. Every number on this page comes from a dataset named here; the formulas are public.