How to Explore Hangzhou During the 2025 May Day Holiday? A Money-Saving Guide Is Here

The 2025 May Day holiday is fast approaching, running from Thursday, May 1st to Monday, May 5th, for a total of 5 days. From midnight on May 1st to midnight on May 5th, all toll roads (including airport expressways, toll bridges, and tunnels) will be free of charge for small passenger vehicles. Normal tolls will resume at midnight on May 6th. This means you can enjoy the May Day holiday to the fullest! So, the question is, how should you explore Hangzhou during the 2025 May Day holiday? Don't worry, we've compiled a money-saving 5-day, 4-night itinerary, perfect for couples. Feel free to save it! First, Route Planning for the 2025 Hangzhou May Day Holiday DAY 01: West Lake Cruise (Wooden boat: 80 RMB/person, Green boat: 40 RMB/person) — Hefang Street You can easily tour West Lake by boat or on foot. The walking route is: Gushan Park — Quyuan Fenhe — Hangzhou Flower Nursery — Maojiabu — Huagang Park (Flower Harbor) — Taiziwan Park — Long Bridge Park — Yongjin Park — Liulang Wenying Park — Hubin Park. This route is completely free and perfect for first-time visitors to Hangzhou! Hefang Street is a historic and charming street in Hangzhou, featuring time-honored brands, handicrafts, traditional Chinese medicine shops, trendy boutiques, and various restaurants. It's a commercial street that caters to all your needs. You can even mail your purchases home! DAY 02: Lingyin Temple (75 RMB) — Faxi Temple (10 RMB) — Yunqi Bamboo Trail (8 RMB) — Wulin Night Market Lingyin Temple is a nationally renowned ancient Buddhist temple with a history of over 1,700 years. You can enjoy vegetarian meals, worship, purchase Buddhist items, count Arhats, and pay respects to Ji Gong. Unlike other temples, Lingyin Temple also includes Yuye Youlan, Feilai Feng, Yongfu Temple, and Taoguang Temple, making it a comprehensive temple complex worth a dedicated morning visit! Faxi Temple is a 5-minute ride from the main entrance of Lingyin Temple by shuttle bus. Initially known for its efficacious Guanyin, it has now become the "Most Beautiful Buddhist Temple" and a "Sacred Place for Marriage." You can take photos, enjoy the scenery, and have a vegetarian meal (breakfast: 2 RMB, lunch/dinner: 5 RMB)! Yunqi Bamboo Trail is a "bamboo sea" attraction in Hangzhou, featuring elements like the "Imperial Road," wooden plank roads, bamboo forests, ancient trees, and pavilions. Whether it's May Day or National Day, it remains a tranquil escape. Buses 103 and 1314 run directly from Faxi Temple to Yunqi Bamboo Trail! Wulin Night Market, like Hefang Street, is a night market area. The difference is that this is a modern night market hub with various entertainment options and delicious food. It's also the terminal station of bus 103, making it very convenient to visit! If you have time, you can also check out West Lake at night, which is a 5-minute walk away! DAY 03: Liuhe Pagoda Cultural Park (Entrance: 20 RMB, Pagoda climb: 10 RMB) — Guiren Pavilion (Best 360-degree view of Hangzhou) — Hupao Park (Free entry from Guiren Pavilion downhill) — Manjuelong Village Liuhe Pagoda Cultural Park is a thousand-year-old pagoda with a reputation comparable to Leifeng Pagoda. Initially built to suppress tidal surges, it has now become a great place to appreciate history and enjoy the scenery. You can see a rich cultural heritage and miniature replicas of famous pagodas from all over China! Guiren Pavilion is located in the hills of Hangzhou, a short walk from the exit of Liuhe Pagoda Cultural Park. Walk past Longtoushan Mountain and keep right at two forks in the road to reach Guiren Pavilion. This is a great spot to view Hangzhou, West Lake, Qiantang River, and the surrounding mountains, offering breathtaking scenery! Hupao Park is located downhill from Guiren Pavilion. It's a scenic spot centered around a spring, also featuring the legendary stories of Monk Xingkong, Ji Gong, and Master Hongyi. You can explore the park following the "One Hall, Two People, Three Tigers" route, immersing yourself in a green wonderland! Manjuelong Village is located past the Hangzhou Children's Park, after exiting Hupao Park. This is a famous tea village in Hangzhou, built on the mountainside, with numerous cafes. It's perfect for an evening stroll and coffee, exuding a bohemian atmosphere! DAY 04: Xixi Wetland (Fudi — Ludi — Hezhu Street — Gaozhuang — China Wetland Museum (reservation required)) — Huanglongdong Cave Night Tour (88 RMB, cheaper online) The Ludi, Hezhu Street, Gaozhuang, and China Wetland Museum are all located in the free eastern section of Xixi Wetland. Take Metro Line 19 to Xixi Wetland North Station and walk along Fudi. The complete route is: Xixi Wetland North Station — Fudi — Jiangcun Market — Hangzhou Xixi Water Margin Culture Exhibition Hall — Sightseeing Ball — Hezhu Pagoda — Hezhu Street — Ludi — Fudi — Gaozhuang (reopening on April 30, 2025, after renovations) — Lianhuatan Birdwatching Area — China Wetland Museum. Huanglongdong Cave Night Tour is a hidden gem in Hangzhou. Although the shows are currently suspended, the evening light show is still available. You can experience a night tour and try the "fate," "food," and "bamboo" themed activities. DAY 05: Hu Xueyan's Former Residence (20 RMB) — Southern Song Dynasty Deshou Palace Ruins Museum (reservation required) — Wuliuxiang Historic Block — Scenic Water Bus (3 RMB) — West Lake Cultural Square Hu Xueyan's Former Residence is a classic garden. From its architecture to the interior furnishings, the exquisite materials used make it the epitome of a late Qing Dynasty tycoon's mansion. Divided into three sections (central, western, and eastern), you can explore the wonders of ancient gardens and appreciate the refined taste and beauty found within! The Southern Song Dynasty Deshou Palace Ruins Museum was originally the residence of Qin Hui, later converted into a palace. It served as the residence of Emperor Gaozong, the first emperor of the Southern Song Dynasty, after his abdication. The museum uses indoor displays, digital presentations, and ruin simulations to systematically showcase the history and culture of the Southern Song Dynasty. It's a great place for photos! Wuliuxiang Historic Block is a 2-minute walk from Deshou Palace. Once home to dignitaries, it later became a residential area for commoners. It still retains the alleyway architecture built during the Republican era, offering a glimpse into the authentic local life of Hangzhou! The Scenic Water Bus has a stop at "Meibeizhan" in Wuliuxiang. This is a stop on Water Bus Route 7 (3 RMB/person, departs every 40 minutes). The scenery along the route is quite pleasant, with flowers, trees, birds, and bridges! West Lake Cultural Square is located near the Grand Canal, a 30-minute walk from the "Baziqiao" stop of Water Bus Route 7. At night, West Lake Cultural Square is beautifully illuminated, with skyscrapers and boats adding to the cityscape. You can capture the urban night scene and enjoy the tranquil canal views, a truly relaxing experience! Second, Expenses for the 2025 Hangzhou May Day Holiday The total cost for a couple is approximately 4,500 RMB. Entrance fees and taxi fares: approximately 600 RMB. Accommodation (near subway stations): approximately 1,200 RMB. Five days of dining: approximately 800 RMB. Souvenirs and postage: approximately 400 RMB. Round-trip transportation (train/plane): approximately 1,500 RMB. Third, Important Notes for the 2025 Hangzhou May Day Holiday 1. Avoid taking taxis during the holiday season due to heavy traffic. Prioritize the subway, followed by buses. You can use WeChat or Alipay's transit QR codes for payment. 2. When touring around West Lake, you can scan the QR codes on the shared bikes for a convenient and affordable way to get around. 3. West Lake is vast. The recommended way to explore it is by combining walking, boat rides, and sightseeing buses. Walking the entire way is not recommended, as it can be exhausting. 4. During May Day, you can enjoy roses (Hangzhou Flower Nursery), lupines (Xixi Wetland Ludi), and azaleas (Hangzhou Botanical Garden, Linping Park). 5. Be sure to watch a sunset by West Lake. Recommended sunset viewing spots: Jixian Pavilion, Long Bridge Park, Beishan Street, Yongjin Gate. 6. Don't buy tea or silk near tourist areas or follow taxi driver recommendations. So, after this introduction, you should have a better idea of how to explore Hangzhou during the 2025 May Day holiday. Feel free to leave comments and discuss!