Festivals

You will be entertained visiting the city, for Hangzhou holds festivals and events all year round. Here are some of the festivals that may be of interest to you.

West Lake Lotus Flower Festival

Time: July-August

Summer is the time to see lotus flowers in the West Lake in its grandeur and beauty. The festival includes activities such as exhibition, lotus dinner and picking of lotus.

West Lake Osmanthus Festival

Time: September

Sweet osmanthus is the city flower of Hangzhou, which is one of China's five osmanthus producing areas. When the flowers blossom in autumn, the whole city is mildy and pleasantly scented.

Manjuelong Village, where more than 7000 osmanthus trees are planted along the road, is the main scene for celebrations. Hundreds of colorful tents are set along two sides of the road for people to sit inside to enjoy the tea and osmanthus. Various performances and games are available.

Qiantang Tide Watching Festival

Time: September

Qiantang tide is a remarkable natural phenomenon and is one of the world's wonders. Watching the tidal waves of the Qiantang River has been a significant event for over 2000 years. The tidal waves go up to as high as 9 meters, making an earthshaking sound and seeming to stem from the momentum of an avalanche.

The town Yanguan in Haining, Hangzhou is regarded as the best place to view the wave. Annually, on August 18 of Chinese lunar calendar, the Qiantang Tidal Wathing Festival is held here. A sea of people throng towards the banks of Qiantang River to watch the surging tidal waves. The major activities of the Festival include a temple fair, performances of folk songs, dances and operas, and traditional lantern competition.

Hangzhou Lantern Festival

Time: The 15th of the first lunar month of Chinese Calendar

Lantern Festival is a traditional festival in China. The festival falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month which marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebration. The activities include lantern exhibition, lantern riddles and dragon lantern performance.

Food Festival

Time: October or November

During the festival, food night market is held in the center of the city. Hundreds of varieties of Chinese food and snacks are presented and sold, drawing both local residents and tourists.

Fireworks Festival

Time: October

Splendid fireworks display is put on in October each year over the Qiangtang River. People flock to the bridges and banks of Qiantang River to view the display.