Zhejiang is best known for Hangzhou's West Lake, where willow-lined causeways, arched stone bridges and pagoda-topped islands sit inside a park right in the middle of the city. Climb into the hills just behind the lake and you'll find neat rows of Longjing tea bushes, the source of one of China's most famous green teas. Further out, the province's canal towns, old silk markets and coastal islands add a slower, saltier side to the trip, and dishes like Longjing shrimp and Dongpo pork give the region its own food scene, separate from Shanghai's or Beijing's.

Stays across the province range from lakeside luxury in Hangzhou to simple guesthouses tucked beside the canals in Wuzhen and Xitang. Pick a base near the sights you care about most, and the rest of Zhejiang is an easy day trip away.

Where to stay in Zhejiang hotels

• Hangzhou: West Lake's home city, and Zhejiang's biggest base. Stay here for lake walks, tea houses and the shortest hop to the Longjing tea hills.
• Wuzhen and Xitang, near Jiaxing: Two of the best-preserved canal towns in China, with stone bridges, wooden houses and boats gliding along the water. Book a room right on the canal for a quieter, lantern-lit evening once the day-trip crowds clear out.
• Ningbo: A relaxed port city with an old book-collecting history and easy links to the coast. A good pick if you want a break from Hangzhou's crowds without giving up city comforts.
• Zhoushan: An island base surrounded by fishing harbours and open sea. Come here for fresh seafood and a slower, salt-air pace.

How much are Zhejiang hotels?

Expect to pay around AU$180 a night for a standard double across Zhejiang. Hangzhou's West Lake hotels usually sit above that average, while the water towns and Zhoushan generally come in cheaper.

• Backpackers and hostels: From AU$66 per night. Simple dorms or small private rooms, usually a short walk from the action.
• Budget hotels and guesthouses: From AU$104 per night. Clean, no-frills rooms, often family-run in the water towns.
• Mid-range hotels and apartments: From AU$174 per night. A solid, well-located room with the essentials covered.
• Boutique stays: From AU$222 per night. Design-led rooms, sometimes inside a converted courtyard house or lakeside villa.
• Luxury and resort hotels: From AU$397 per night, climbing well past AU$1,000 for the top suites. Think West Lake views, private gardens and full-service spas.

Top-rated hotels in Zhejiang

• Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake: Classical Chinese garden design wrapped around private courtyards, with West Lake just outside the gate.
• Park Hyatt Hangzhou: A quieter luxury stay with lake views and easy walking access to the causeways.
• InterContinental Hotels Hangzhou ICC by IHG: A gold globe-shaped tower on the Qiantang River, paired with the crescent-shaped Grand Theatre next door to form Hangzhou's "Sun and Moon" skyline.
• Xianghu Xiaoyao Manor: A lakeside resort of villas and gardens on Xianghu Lake, West Lake's quieter sister lake in Hangzhou's Xiaoshan district, with its own spa and indoor pool.
• Midtown Shangri-La Hangzhou: A central tower close to shopping and dining, handy if you'd rather stay in the middle of the city than by the lake.

Tips for finding the perfect hotel in Zhejiang

• Base yourself by the lake: If Hangzhou is your main stop, a hotel within walking distance of West Lake saves you the most time. Most of the causeways, gardens and tea houses sit right around the shoreline.
• Sleep in the water towns: Wuzhen and Xitang are day-trip destinations for most visitors. Book a room right in the old town and you'll get the canals lit up at night, once the crowds have gone home.
• Watch the tea season: Hangzhou fills up fast around the Longjing tea harvest in late March and April. Book ahead if your trip lands in that window.
• Use high-speed rail to your advantage: Most Zhejiang cities are under two hours apart by train, so one well-placed hotel can work as a base for several day trips instead of packing up and moving every night.
• Check the season for the coast: Zhoushan is warmest and busiest over summer. Shoulder months bring quieter harbours and better hotel rates.

Travelling to more than just Zhejiang while in China? Check out our hotels in Shanghai and Beijing.