Hangzhou's weather is generally warm and mild throughout the year, with abundant sunshine and moderate rainfall. There are four clear seasons – a wet and rainy spring, a hot and humid summer, a warm and clear autumn and a dry and cold winter. The hot temperatures of summer can last until December. In comparison to the summer, both autumn and spring are relatively short.

Hangzhou is classified as a tier 1 city, with a population of approximately 13 million people, and is regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in China. It is a very clean and modern city, home to e-commerce giant Alibaba and Western companies such as Tesla. The majority of vehicles are electric/ hybrid cars and e-bikes. Bicycles are readily available to rent. Much of the city is green, featuring parklands, lakes, and well-maintained street greenery. Large shopping malls are plentiful, a wide range of international brands is available.

Yes and no, you can live an expensive life, dining at the finest restaurants or eat at cheap places with the locals. Utilities are very inexpensive, with an average water bill of approximately £20 for 6 months of usage. Locally sourced items are often more affordable than their imported Western counterparts; for instance, local milk is generally less expensive than imported milk. Transportation (including taxis, Metro, trains, etc.) is very affordable compared to major Western cities.

Hangzhou is roughly on the same latitude as Cairo, Egypt, so expect a hot, humid and fairly long summer. Our sports days are held in November when the temperature is a lovely 20-25 degrees. Winter can be cold, but it typically lasts only a couple of months. Spring can be rainy.

The large shopping malls (and there are lots of them) all cater for family activities. Often, a whole floor will be dedicated to children, featuring amenities such as shops, play areas, soft play, trampoline parks, ice rinks, or open workshops. Additionally, the area features temples, lakes, parks, bamboo forests, Little Venice, Fake Paris, safari parks, amusement parks and water parks. Your child will never get bored!

Emergency Phone Numbers in Hangzhou
Police - 110

Ambulance service - 120

Fire Service - 119

Often, you will connect with a Chinese speaker only. If you keep repeating the word “English”, they will connect you with an English speaker.

Metro: The Metro in Hangzhou is modern, safe, and rapidly expanding to provide easier access to more of the city, including our campus. It is efficient and very affordable, starting at 2 RMB and rising depending on the number of stations you travel through. The Metro can get crowded during rush hour, so be prepared to give up some of your personal space. The MetroMan app provides an up-to-date map of current and new stations. You can buy tickets at manned ticket offices, automatic ticket machines or use Alipay to scan through the barriers. You can even use your 5G whilst riding the Metro!

Taxi: Taxis are the most common means of transportation in Hangzhou. They are abundant in number and relatively inexpensive compared to Western prices. Very few taxi drivers speak English, so the easiest way is to use the Didi taxi app (similar to Uber). The app allows you to select your starting and final destination points. If you are hailing a taxi on the street, be sure to know your destination beforehand and show it to the driver. Taxis in Hangzhou are very affordable and a popular means of transportation within the city.

Bus: Buses can be challenging to navigate for non-Chinese speakers. If you want to take a bus, check the route in advance using the Amaps app. You can always ask the driver for help. Show him/her the station you want to go to, and they will let you know on arrival. Bus prices usually start at 2 RMB.

Railway: Hangzhou has several railway stations, the main one being Hangzhou East Railway Station (Hangzhoudong). High-speed trains, including Bullet Trains, depart this station daily to the rest of China, across an extensive rail network. Shanghai is easily accessible with a journey time of approximately 1 hour at a cost of 100 RMB. Physical tickets are no longer required for rail journeys; only a confirmation code and your passport are needed. Tickets can be bought through WeChat, Alipay, Trip.com or at the station ticket office. It is advisable to arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time.
Tip: You must carry your passport to travel by train. Items that could be a fire hazard (some deodorants or mosquito sprays) are not allowed to be taken on board.

Airport: Xiaoshan International Airport is located to the east of the city. Xiaoshan International Airport is well-connected to all of Asia with direct flights operating daily. Currently, the airport is only accessible by car/ taxi; however, plans are in place to extend the Metro line.