Hangzhou 杭州

West Lake Vinegar Fish 西湖醋鱼

Xīhú cùyú

Freshwater fish poached and glazed in a sweet-and-sour vinegar sauce — Hangzhou’s signature dish.

💡A delicate Jiangnan classic; best at a lakeside restaurant.

Order this: 西湖醋鱼

Dongpo Pork 东坡肉

Dōngpō ròu

A glistening square of pork belly slow-braised in soy and wine until spoon-tender, named after the poet Su Dongpo.

💡Rich and sweet — share a portion over rice.

Order this: 东坡肉

Longjing Shrimp 龙井虾仁

Lóngjǐng xiārén

Tender river shrimp stir-fried with fragrant Longjing green-tea leaves — subtle and elegant.

💡A refined local specialty; pairs with the city’s famous tea.

Order this: 龙井虾仁

Beggar's Chicken 叫花鸡

Jiàohuā jī

A whole chicken wrapped in lotus leaf and clay and baked until fragrant and falling-apart tender.

💡Often cracked open tableside; order ahead at traditional restaurants.

Order this: 叫花鸡

Zhèjiāng Shěng Bówùguǎn

Regional history and art including 5,000-year-old Liangzhu jades; its lakeside Gushan branch sits in a classic garden setting.

💡Free; the newer Zhijiang branch is large, while Gushan by West Lake is the most atmospheric.

Search this: 浙江省博物馆

Zhōngguó Cháyè Bówùguǎn

A garden museum among the Longjing tea hills, devoted to the history and culture of Chinese tea.

💡Free; combine with a walk through the Longjing tea village nearby.

Search this: 中国茶叶博物馆

Zhōngguó Sīchóu Bówùguǎn

The world’s largest silk museum — the story of sericulture, the Silk Road and centuries of Chinese textiles.

💡Free; look for the working looms and gorgeous historic costumes.

Search this: 中国丝绸博物馆