Tips & Answers · Community post
Hangzhou with a toddler: Early Jan (first time in winter) vs Late March (spring and peak season)?
Hey everyone,
Planning a week in Hangzhou with my wife and our toddler, who will be almost 3.5 years old. We are from a tropical country and have never experienced cold weather or winter before.
We are torn between two specific travel windows:
Option 1: Early January (Jan 4 to Jan 10)
This is the true off peak season with almost no domestic tourists and cheaper hotels. The issue is the damp cold (around 1 to 8 degrees Celsius), possible rain, and landing at 10 pM. Since we have never dealt with winter temperature before, we are worried about keeping our toddler warm and pushing a stroller around in the cold wind.
Option 2: Late March (March 23 to March 29)
The weather seems much more pleasant with spring flowers blooming and easier daily dressing for a toddler. However, travel guides mention Hangzhou enters its peak tourist season around March 20. We are worried West Lake and major scenic spots might be completely packed, making getting around with a stroller a hassle even on regular weekdays.
For anyone who lives there or has visited:
For a family with zero winter experience, is early January outdoor sightseeing realistic with a toddler, or is the damp chill miserable enough that we will end up stuck indoors?
How crowded is Hangzhou in late March outside of public holidays? Is West Lake still enjoyable with a stroller?
Which window would you choose for a smoother trip?
Thanks!
Comments (1)
First, let’s talk about how to survive a winter in Hangzhou. If you plan to visit in January, a heavy-down jacket is a must-have, along with sweaters and the thermal underwear popular among Chinese people. These three items are essential. Winters in Hangzhou feel cold to pretty much everyone — whether you are from Northeast China or Guangdong in southern China.
If a whole family travels, those three types of clothing would mean nine extra pieces in total. I don’t think that’s necessary. I’d recommend visiting at the end of March instead. Buying those nine items would cost roughly 1,000 US dollars anyway.
Now for the main points. Hangzhou is one of China’s most famous tourist cities. So theoretically, there are always plenty of visitors no matter which month you go, even in January.
At the end of March, a family can have a thoroughly enjoyable time around West Lake. Even if you do nothing but stroll along its shores, you will have a very pleasant experience. West Lake is huge. Part of it lies within the city, while other scenic areas stretch over the hills. Virtually the whole area beyond the hills is packed with attractions. If you don’t mind being on your feet, exploring the entire West Lake loop alone can take three to four days.
That said, I don’t suggest spending your whole trip only at West Lake. You can also visit smaller cities nearby. Wuzhen, Shaoxing and Qiandao Lake are all within a one-to-two-hour drive from Hangzhou, each a highly distinctive travel destination. As the capital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou boasts excellent transport links to surrounding areas. For example, high-speed trains from Hangzhou to Shaoxing run more frequently than local buses.
Neither of the two time windows you mentioned counts as peak tourist season, so accommodation is relatively affordable. You can generally get 4- or 5-star hotels for around 100 US dollars per night. Comfortable hotel stays make the whole trip far more relaxing.