Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport

Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH) is the primary airport serving Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang Province and home to the scenic West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located 27 km east of Hangzhou city center, the airport handles over 40 million passengers annually and serves as a hub for Loong Air (formerly known as Zhejiang Loong Airlines).

The airport operates from three terminals:

• Terminal 1 (T1): The oldest terminal, currently closed for renovation and expansion. Check with your airline if flying during the renovation period.
• Terminal 3 (T3): Opened in 2012, handles domestic flights from various carriers including Loong Air and several other domestic airlines.
• Terminal 4 (T4): The newest and largest terminal, opened in 2024 for the Asian Games. Handles all international flights and some domestic services. Modern design with excellent facilities.

Terminal Layout:

• T3 and T4 are the active terminals, connected by an underground passage and shuttle services
• T4 is divided into domestic and international sections with separate security areas
• The terminals are arranged along the same axis, making connections relatively straightforward

Hangzhou serves as a gateway to eastern China's scenic destinations, including the historic West Lake, ancient water towns, and the tea plantations of Longjing. The city is also known as the headquarters of Alibaba Group, making HGH a popular business destination.

Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport is located 27 km east of central Hangzhou and 5 km from the Qiantang River. Journey times vary based on traffic conditions.

Method	Time to City Center	Cost
Metro Line 1	40-50 min to West Lake area	¥7-9 (~$1 USD)
Airport Express Bus	50-70 min	¥20-25 (~$3 USD)
Taxi	35-60 min	¥100-150 (~$14-21 USD)
DiDi (rideshare)	35-60 min	¥90-140 (~$13-19 USD)

Traffic note: The expressway between the airport and city center can be congested during rush hours (7-9 AM, 5-8 PM). The metro is the most reliable option for avoiding delays, though it takes slightly longer.

Important: Uber does not operate in China. Use DiDi (China's dominant rideshare app) or official taxis.

DiDi (Recommended Rideshare)

• App: Download "DiDi" before arriving (available in English)
• Payment: International credit cards may work; link Alipay or WeChat Pay for best experience
• Pickup location: Follow signs to "Online Hailing Vehicle" zones at each terminal
• Typical fares: ¥90-140 (~$13-19 USD) to central Hangzhou (varies by destination and traffic)

Note: DiDi requires a Chinese phone number or can be used with international accounts, though functionality may be limited. Setting up the app before arrival is strongly recommended.

Official Taxis

Taxis queue outside arrivals at both terminals. Only use official taxis from the designated taxi ranks—avoid touts inside the terminal.

Typical fares from HGH:

Destination	Fare	Time
West Lake (Xihu)	¥100-130 (~$14-18 USD)	35-50 min
Hangzhou Railway Station	¥90-120 (~$13-17 USD)	30-45 min
Hangzhou East Railway Station	¥80-110 (~$11-15 USD)	25-40 min
Wulin Square (city center)	¥100-130 (~$14-18 USD)	35-50 min
Alibaba HQ (Xixi)	¥130-170 (~$18-24 USD)	45-65 min
Wuzhen Water Town	¥350-450 (~$49-63 USD)	90-120 min

Tips:

• All fares are metered; expect an additional ¥15 airport surcharge
• Expressway tolls (¥15-25) are added to the fare
• Have your destination written in Chinese characters
• Most drivers speak limited English—use a translation app or hotel card
• Receipts (fapiao) available upon request

Pickup Locations

• Terminal 3: Ground floor arrivals, taxi queue outside
• Terminal 4: Arrivals Level, designated taxi area, follow signs

Metro Line 1 (Recommended)

The Hangzhou Metro Line 1 connects the airport directly to central Hangzhou. The airport station is located at Terminal 4.

Station: Xiaoshan International Airport Station (萧山国际机场站)

Key destinations and travel times from the airport:

Station	Travel Time	Fare	Connection Notes
Hangzhou East Railway Station	25 min	¥5 (~$0.70 USD)	High-speed rail connections
Fengqi Road	40 min	¥7 (~$1 USD)	City center shopping
Longxiangqiao	45 min	¥7 (~$1 USD)	Near West Lake
Wulin Square	50 min	¥8 (~$1.10 USD)	Commercial center

Metro operating hours:

• First train: 6:00 AM
• Last train: 10:30 PM (to city center)
• Frequency: Every 5-8 minutes during peak hours

How to take the Metro:

1. Follow signs to "Metro" in Terminal 4 arrivals
2. Take shuttle or walk from T3 if needed
3. Purchase ticket at machines (cash or mobile payment) or use Hangzhou Transportation Card
4. Board Line 1 toward Xianghu direction (then transfer) or direct services

Tips:

• Alipay and WeChat Pay can be used directly at turnstiles via QR code
• The metro is clean, efficient, and air-conditioned
• Luggage space is available but limited during rush hours

Airport Express Buses

Airport buses serve various districts and nearby cities:

Key routes:

• Wulin Gate Line: City center (¥20, 50-70 min)
• Hangzhou Railway Station Line: Main station (¥20, 45-60 min)
• Hangzhou East Station Line: High-speed rail hub (¥20, 35-50 min)
• Xiaoshan District Line: Local area (¥8-15, 20-40 min)

Details:

• Operating hours: 5:30 AM - last flight arrival
• Some routes operate 24 hours with reduced late-night frequency
• Departures: Outside arrivals at each terminal

HGH offers parking facilities at both active terminals:

Terminal 4 Parking

Type	Rate	Location
Short-term (P1-P2)	¥10/hour (~$1.40 USD)	Adjacent to terminal
Daily max	¥80/day (~$11 USD)	Adjacent lots
Long-term (P3)	¥50/day (~$7 USD)	Remote lot with shuttle

Terminal 3 Parking

Type	Rate
Short-term	¥8/hour first hour, ¥10/hour after
Daily max	¥80/day (~$11 USD)

Tips:

• First 15 minutes free at all lots
• Payment via cash, cards, or mobile payment (WeChat Pay, Alipay)
• Pre-booking online can offer discounts for longer stays
• Holiday periods (Golden Week, Chinese New Year) can see high parking demand

Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport offers diverse dining options reflecting Hangzhou's renowned culinary tradition:

Terminal 4 (Best Selection):

Airside (After Security):

• Hangzhou cuisine restaurants: Local specialties including Dongpo pork and Longjing shrimp
• Noodle shops: Pian'er chuan noodles, beef noodles
• Dim sum and Cantonese: Southern Chinese options
• Fast food: McDonald's, KFC, Burger King
• Coffee: Starbucks, Pacific Coffee, Manner Coffee (local chain)

Landside:

• Food court: Multiple Chinese and international options
• Local restaurants: Hangzhou specialties
• Convenience stores: 7-Eleven, Family Mart for snacks

Terminal 3:

• Smaller selection with Chinese restaurants and fast food
• Quick-service noodle shops and convenience stores
• Local snack options

Recommended: Hangzhou is famous for Longjing tea and dishes like Dongpo pork (braised pork belly) and West Lake fish in vinegar sauce. Look for restaurants serving these local specialties, especially in T4's expanded dining options.

Free WiFi is available throughout Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport.

Network: "HGH-Free-WiFi" or "@Airport-WiFi"

How to connect:

1. Select the free WiFi network
2. Accept terms on the landing page
3. May require SMS verification to a Chinese phone number

Limitations:

• Some free networks require a Chinese phone number for verification
• Speed can be variable during peak hours
• International websites may be slow or blocked (see VPN note below)

VPN Important Note: Many Western websites and apps (Google, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, many news sites) are blocked in China. If you need access to these services, install and configure a VPN before arriving in China. VPN apps are difficult to download once inside China.

Alternative connectivity: Purchase a local SIM or pocket WiFi for more reliable internet access.

SIM cards are available at the airport arrivals halls:

Locations:

• China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom counters in arrivals halls of both terminals
• Located after customs exit area in T4

Requirements:

• Passport (required for registration)
• Chinese regulations require real-name registration for all SIM purchases

Typical costs:

• Tourist SIM (7 days, 3-5GB data): ¥100-150 (~$14-21 USD)
• Monthly prepaid SIM (10-20GB): ¥100-200 (~$14-28 USD)
• Pocket WiFi rental: ¥40-60/day (~$6-8 USD)

Major carriers:

• China Mobile: Largest network, best coverage nationwide
• China Unicom: Good coverage in cities
• China Telecom: Reliable, competitive pricing

Tips:

• Pre-order SIM cards online through Klook for airport pickup
• Consider Hong Kong or Macau SIMs that include China roaming (some bypass the firewall)
• eSIMs from international providers (Airalo, Holafly) work but are subject to China's internet restrictions

ATMs are available throughout both terminals:

Locations:

• Arrivals halls at T3 and T4 (multiple ATMs)
• Departure halls (airside)
• Near convenience stores and currency exchange counters

Major banks with ATMs:

• Bank of China
• Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC)
• China Construction Bank
• Agricultural Bank of China
• Bank of Communications

Currency exchange:

• Bank of China counters in arrivals and departures
• Exchange rates are typically 2-4% worse than city center banks

Tips:

• Chinese Yuan (CNY/¥) is the only accepted currency in China
• International credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) have limited acceptance in China—most local shops and restaurants only accept Chinese payment apps
• Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay if possible—these apps are essential for daily transactions in China (international visitors can now link foreign credit cards)
• ATM withdrawal limits vary; some machines limit foreign cards to ¥2,500-3,000 per transaction
• Notify your bank before traveling to avoid card blocks

Terminal 4 (Best Selection):

Duty-Free (Airside):

• China Duty Free (CDF): Extensive selection of cosmetics, alcohol, tobacco, Chinese goods
• Luxury brands: International designer stores
• Chinese specialties: Longjing tea, silk, traditional crafts

Landside:

• Shopping areas with fashion, electronics, souvenirs
• Convenience stores for last-minute items

Local Hangzhou products to look for:

• Longjing (Dragon Well) tea: Hangzhou's most famous product, one of China's top teas
• Silk products: Hangzhou has been a silk capital for centuries
• Wang Xing Ji fans: Traditional folding fans
• Zhang Xiaoquan scissors: Famous local brand since 1628
• Hangzhou snacks: Osmanthus cake, green bean cake

Terminal 3:

• Limited shopping compared to T4
• Basic duty-free and convenience stores

Tip: Purchase authentic Longjing tea from reputable shops—Hangzhou is the origin of this famous green tea. Prices range from ¥200-2,000+ (~$28-280 USD) depending on grade and harvest season.

Priority Pass Lounges

Terminal 4:

• VIP Lounge: Priority Pass access available. Hot food, drinks, basic amenities. Check Priority Pass app for current participating lounges.

Terminal 3:

• Limited Priority Pass options; check app for current availability

Airline Lounges

China Eastern/SkyTeam Lounges:

• Business Class Lounge (T4): Business Class passengers and SkyTeam Elite members
• Chinese and Western food options, beverages, basic amenities

Air China/Star Alliance:

• VIP Lounge (T4): Business Class passengers and Star Alliance Gold members

Loong Air Lounges:

• Domestic lounge (T3): For Loong Air elite members and business class passengers

Features typically include Chinese cuisine, hot dishes, and rest areas.

Pay-Per-Use Options

• VIP Lounges: Walk-in access available for approximately ¥200-300 (~$28-42 USD)
• Airport VIP Services: Paid VIP terminal services with expedited security available

Near the Airport:

• Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport Hotel: On-site hotel connected to T4 via covered walkway. Convenient for early flights. ¥400-700/night (~$56-98 USD).

• Hilton Hangzhou Xiaoshan: Near the airport with shuttle service. Full-service hotel with pool and spa. ¥600-1,000/night (~$84-140 USD).

• Holiday Inn Express Hangzhou Airport: Budget-friendly option with airport shuttle. ¥300-500/night (~$42-70 USD).

Transit/Day Rooms:

• Hourly rest facilities: Available in some lounges and designated rest areas
• Day-use rooms available at airport hotel

In the City (For longer layovers):

• Hotels near Hangzhou East Railway Station offer easy metro access to the airport
• West Lake area hotels provide scenic stays but require 45+ minutes to reach the airport

Tips:

• For early morning flights, airport or nearby hotels eliminate traffic concerns
• China's 144-hour transit visa exemption allows travelers from many countries to visit Hangzhou without a visa—check eligibility
• The 144-hour exemption covers Zhejiang Province, enabling visits to West Lake and nearby attractions

Hangzhou is one of China's most picturesque cities, famous for its natural beauty, ancient history, and tea culture. It has been a beloved destination for over a thousand years.

From HGH to Hangzhou city center (40-50 minutes by metro):

Must-see attractions:

• West Lake (Xihu): UNESCO World Heritage Site, the heart of Hangzhou. Walk or bike around the lake, visit pagodas and gardens. Metro Line 1 to Longxiangqiao Station. Allow 3-4 hours minimum.
• Lingyin Temple: One of China's largest and most famous Buddhist temples, founded in 328 AD. ¥75 entry (~$10 USD). 30 minutes by taxi from West Lake.
• Longjing Tea Village: Visit tea plantations and learn about Dragon Well tea production. Best in spring (April-May) during harvest. 20 minutes by taxi from West Lake.
• Hefang Street: Historic pedestrian street with traditional shops, snacks, and crafts. Metro Line 1 to Dingannlu Station.
• Leifeng Pagoda: Iconic tower on the south shore of West Lake with panoramic views. ¥40 entry (~$6 USD).

For tech enthusiasts:

• Alibaba Xixi Campus: The headquarters of Alibaba Group is in Hangzhou. While not open to general visitors, the surrounding Xixi Wetland Park is beautiful.
• Hangzhou's tech scene: The city is known as China's e-commerce capital

Neighborhoods to explore:

• West Lake area: Core scenic zone, historic pagodas, gardens
• Wulin Square: Modern shopping and dining
• Qinghe Fang: Traditional architecture, antique markets
• Xixi Wetland: National wetland park, tranquil escape

Day trips from Hangzhou:

• Wuzhen Water Town: Ancient canal town, 90 minutes by bus. One of China's best-preserved water towns. ¥150-190 entry (~$21-27 USD).
• Xitang Water Town: Another scenic canal town, 90 minutes away
• Moganshan: Hill station resort area, 90 minutes by car. Popular summer escape with boutique hotels.
• Shaoxing: Historic city known for rice wine and calligraphy, 30 minutes by high-speed train

Practical tips:

• Get a Hangzhou Transportation Card for metro, buses, and bike-sharing
• Download a translation app: Google Translate works offline; Baidu Translate works well in China
• VPN is essential for accessing Western internet services—install before arriving
• Cash is rarely used: Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay for payments (now available to foreign visitors)
• Weather: Hangzhou has four distinct seasons—hot humid summers (June-August), mild winters, beautiful spring and autumn
• Language: Mandarin is spoken; English is limited outside hotels and tourist areas
• Visa-free transit: Many nationalities eligible for 144-hour visa-free transit in Zhejiang Province

Getting around Hangzhou: The metro system connects major areas efficiently. Public bike-sharing (including Hellobike, accessed via Alipay) is excellent for exploring around West Lake. The scenic area is best explored on foot or by bicycle.