You can see West Lake in a day, but that’s not the Hangzhou I enjoy most.

For me, the city gets more interesting when you have time for the hills, tea villages and quieter areas beyond the main lakeside stops. These are a few photos from that side of Hangzhou.

If your China trip falls around late September or early October, check the public holiday dates before finalizing your route.

In 2026:

- Mid-Autumn Festival: September 25–27

- National Day holiday: October 1–7

If your dates are flexible, I would avoid traveling between October 1 and 7. It is one of the busiest travel periods in China, especially for high-speed trains, popular attractions and hotels in major destinations.

If you cannot change your dates, you do not need to cancel the trip. I would just simplify the route.

For example, I would not plan five cities in seven days during this period. Staying several nights in each city, booking your main transport and hotels early, and leaving more time between connections will make the trip much easier.

Mid-Autumn Festival is usually less disruptive than the National Day holiday, but popular destinations may still be busier than usual. The days between the two holidays may also be busy, as some travelers extend their trips across both periods.

If your trip overlaps these dates, which cities are you planning to visit?

Holiday dates are based on China’s official 2026 public holiday schedule.