Exploring Hangzhou by Bus and Metro Efficiently

If you're planning to explore Hangzhou like a local, skip the taxis and dive into the city's efficient public transit—especially the metro and bus system. As someone who’s navigated nearly every line over the past three years, I can tell you: Hangzhou’s network is not only affordable but surprisingly user-friendly—even if you don’t speak Chinese.

The backbone of the system? The Hangzhou Metro, which currently operates 12 lines covering over 516 kilometers. But here’s the real pro tip: the magic happens when you combine the metro with buses. While the metro gets you close, buses get you there—right to that hidden teahouse in West Lake’s northern corner or the boutique silk shop off Wulin Square.

Let’s break it down with some hard numbers:

Hangzhou Public Transit at a Glance (2024)

Source: Hangzhou Transportation Bureau, 2024 Q2 Report

Now, here’s what most tourist guides won’t tell you: transfers are free within 90 minutes if you use a Hangzhou Citizen Card or Alipay’s transport code. That means hopping from Line 1 to Bus 276 to reach Lingyin Temple costs the same as staying on one metro line. This policy alone saves visitors 30–40% on transit costs.

Another game-changer? Real-time tracking. Apps like AutoNavi (China’s Google Maps) show bus arrival times accurate to within 30 seconds. Even better, station signs display live updates—in English.

For first-timers, I recommend starting with Metro Line 1 (the red line). It cuts diagonally through the city, linking key spots like Hangzhou East Railway Station, Wulin Square, and Longxiangqiao (your gateway to West Lake). From there, transfer to Bus 7, 27, or 118 for deeper exploration.

But don’t sleep on Line 5 and Line 16—they serve the futuristic Future Sci-Tech City and Songcheng theme park, respectively. These areas are underrepresented in foreign travel blogs but increasingly central to Hangzhou’s identity.

In short: embrace the bus-metro combo. With a little prep, you’ll move faster, spend less, and experience more of the real Hangzhou.