The moment I landed in Urumqi (my transit stop before Hangzhou), I was hit with a barrage of questions at immigration:
- "Is this your first time in China?"
- "Where are you staying in Hangzhou?"
- "Which other cities will you visit?"
I felt like I was being screened for a spy mission rather than a tourist trip. The officer even flipped through my passport twice, probably checking for any "suspicious" travel history. After what felt like forever, I was finally let through—only to face my next challenge: the baggage fiasco.
Here’s the fun part: Even though I was on a single airline ticket with a transit in Urumqi, I was told at check-in that my luggage would go straight to Hangzhou. Spoiler: It didn’t.
Luckily, I had a gut feeling and asked at the transfer desk:
- "Do I need to pick up my bag here?"
- *"Yes, you must collect and re-check it."*
Me: "But the agent at my departure airport said it’s checked through!"
Them: "No, for international transfers, you must take it yourself."
If I hadn’t asked, my bag would’ve been stranded in Urumqi while I flew to Hangzhou clueless. Pro tip: Always double-check baggage rules when transiting in China!
Once I finally made it, West Lake (Xi Hu) was everything I hoped for—tranquil, stunning, and surrounded by willow trees. I took a long walk along the shore, visited the Leifeng Pagoda, and even saw couples taking wedding photos in traditional outfits.
https://youtu.be/eBG-MWwULJA
Hangzhou has luxury malls (like In77 near West Lake), but don’t expect bargains. Surprisingly, many high-end items were priced higher than in Europe—even after tax refunds!
I asked a salesperson why:
- "Import taxes and demand," she said. "Chinese buyers prefer buying locally for authenticity."
So, unless you’re after exclusive China-only releases, you might want to save your shopping for elsewhere.
https://youtu.be/WKURqFjtWSI
China runs on mobile payments, and Hangzhou—home of Alibaba—is the epicenter. But as a foreigner, I faced two problems:
1. Visa cards? Often rejected unless you’re in a big hotel or international chain.
2. Cash? Many small shops and taxis refused it outright.
I had to:
- Find ATMs that accept foreign cards (not easy).
- Beg restaurants to take cash (some did, but reluctantly).
- Use my foreigner-friendly Alipay TourPass (a lifesaver, but with limits).
Lesson learned: Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before arriving!
Hangzhou is China’s tech paradise, and it shows:
- Electric cars (BYD, NIO, Xpeng) dominate the roads.
- Alibaba’s HQ is a massive, sleek campus—worth seeing even just from outside.
- Dahua Technology (a global surveillance tech giant) has a super modern office—felt like stepping into a sci-fi movie.
Hangzhou was breathtaking, but the logistical hurdles (baggage chaos, payment issues, strict border checks) made it an adventure.
Would I go back? Yes—but next time, I’ll be fully prepared with Alipay, a VPN, and a printed hotel address for immigration!
