November might be the best-kept secret on Hangzhou's calendar. The Golden Week crowds of early October have cleared out, hotel rates have settled back to earth, and the city's famous West Lake sits ringed by maples and camphor trees turning copper and crimson. Daytime temperatures hover around 18.7°C (66°F), cool enough for long walks along the causeways without the sweat-soaked misery of July's 34°C afternoons. Mornings and evenings dip to 9.5°C (49°F), so you will want layers.
The air tends to be clearer than summer's haze, which means the surrounding hills, Baochu Pagoda, and Leifeng Pagoda across the water actually appear sharp against the sky. Rainfall drops to about 71mm across 9 days, a fraction of June's 341mm deluge. You might catch a gray stretch of 3 or 4 days, but sustained downpours are unlikely. Worth noting, the autumn color peaks in early-to-mid November along the western hills and the Longjing tea terraces, then fades toward month's end.
The practical upshot is this. You get most of what makes Hangzhou famous, the lake views, the temple walks, the tea villages, the canal-side neighborhoods, without fighting for space on the Su Causeway or paying peak-season prices at the Shangri-La. That said, it is not warm enough for the lakeside evening strolls in a t-shirt that April or May allow. Pack a proper jacket for after sundown.
Why visit in November
- Autumn foliage around West Lake, Manjuelong, and Nine Creeks reaches peak color in early-to-mid November, drawing photographers and surprisingly few crowds compared to October's Golden Week
- Daytime temperatures around 18.7°C (66°F) are comfortable for walking 15-20km days without overheating, the sweet spot between summer's oppressive humidity and winter's bone-damp cold
- Chinese mitten crab (da zha xie) season peaks in November, and Hangzhou's lake-district restaurants serve them at their fattiest and most flavorful
- Hotel rates drop 25-35% compared to the October Golden Week spike, and flights from Shanghai Hongqiao to Hangzhou Xiaoshan are at shoulder-season pricing
- Air quality tends to be better than summer months, with clearer sightlines to the surrounding hills from West Lake's north shore along Beishan Lu
Worth knowing
- Sunset arrives before 5:10pm by mid-November, cutting outdoor sightseeing hours short and making late-afternoon hikes on the western hills feel rushed
- Morning temperatures around 9.5°C (49°F) can catch visitors off guard, especially those arriving from Southeast Asia, and lake-effect dampness makes single-digit temps feel colder than dry cold
- Late November foliage thins noticeably, and visitors arriving after the 20th may find brown leaves and bare branches rather than the red-gold canopy of early November
- Some outdoor lake excursion boats reduce schedules starting mid-November, with last departures moving from 9pm to 6pm
Best for
Think twice if
November in Hangzhou is crisp autumn. Afternoons are mild, mornings carry a chill, and the famous lake-effect humidity keeps the air from ever feeling truly dry. You might get a week of clear blue skies followed by a few overcast days with light drizzle. Rain tends to come in short spells rather than all-day downpours. The temperature swing between morning and afternoon is noticeable, often 8-10°C within a few hours. Toward the last week, cold fronts from the north can push daytime highs below 15°C (59°F), though these typically last only 2-3 days.
Seasonal caution
- Late-November cold fronts can drop overnight lows to 3-4°C (37-39°F) with little warning. The lake-effect humidity at 74% makes this feel significantly colder than dry cold at the same temperature. Pack thermal underlayers if visiting after November 20th.
Year-round climate
Averages from the last 5 years.
| Month | Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 11 | 1 | 51 |
| Feb | 12 | 3 | 100 |
| Mar | 18 | 8 | 116 |
| Apr | 23 | 13 | 121 |
| May | 27 | 17 | 162 |
| Jun | 29 | 22 | 341 |
| Jul | 34 | 26 | 196 |
| Aug | 35 | 26 | 182 |
| Sep | 30 | 23 | 149 |
| Oct | 24 | 16 | 65 |
| Nov | 19 | 10 | 71 |
| Dec | 12 | 3 | 29 |
Best things to do in November
Autumn foliage walk through Manjuelong (满觉陇)
natureThe narrow lane climbing through Manjuelong village south of West Lake is lined with mature maples and ginkgoes that peak in early-to-mid November. The path runs about 2km from the village entrance up toward the ridgeline, with tea houses set among the trees where you can sit with a pot of Longjing and watch leaves drift down. The canopy turns gold and copper and the light filtering through is the kind photographers wake up at 6am for.
Foliage peaks in the first two weeks of November. By late November the color has largely dropped. October is too early for full turn.Booking tipNo booking needed. Arrive before 8am on weekends to photograph the lane without crowds. Weekday mornings are reliably quiet.
Hiking Nine Creeks and Eighteen Gullies (九溪十八涧)
hikingA 6km trail through bamboo groves and stream crossings southwest of the lake, ending near the Longjing tea plantations. The trail follows a creek that you cross repeatedly on stepping stones. In November, the bamboo stays green while deciduous trees along the creek banks turn yellow, creating a two-tone canopy. The water is cold but shallow enough to wade in spots.
November's lower water levels make the 18 stream crossings manageable on stepping stones. In June's rainy season, several crossings require wading knee-deep.Booking tipTake bus K4 to Jiuxi and walk upstream. The trailhead area has no ticket office. Allow 2.5-3 hours for the full route.
Hangzhou Marathon
sportsThe annual Hangzhou Marathon typically draws 30,000+ runners along a course that follows West Lake's eastern and southern shores, passing Leifeng Pagoda and winding through the Qiantang River promenade. The route is flat and scenic. Even non-runners find it worth watching from the Beishan Lu lakeside stretch.
Held on the first or second Sunday of November. The 18°C temperatures are near-ideal for distance running compared to the summer months.Booking tipRegistration usually opens 6-8 weeks before race day on the official Hangzhou Marathon website. The half-marathon fills faster than the full. Hotels along the course book up the weekend of the race.
West Lake sunrise boat ride
sightseeingHiring a hand-rowed wooden boat (摇橹船) on West Lake at dawn in November means mist on the water, the pagodas as silhouettes, and almost no other boats. The boatmen launch from multiple points along Hubin Lu and Beishan Lu. A private boat for up to 6 people costs 150-180 RMB per hour.
November mornings produce lake mist more reliably than summer months, and the autumn tree line reflects in the still water. Dawn is around 6:10am, a civilized hour compared to summer's 5am.Booking tipWalk to the Hubin Lu boat docks around 6am. No advance booking needed on weekdays. Weekend mornings may require a 15-20 minute wait.
Longjing Village tea terrace walk
cultureThe tea terraces above Longjing Cun are green year-round, but in November the surrounding deciduous trees along the ridgeline add autumn contrast. The walk from the village up to the China National Tea Museum (中国茶叶博物馆) takes about 40 minutes and passes through working tea fields. Tea houses in the village serve the year's spring harvest at lower prices than peak season.
The late-autumn light and thinner crowds make November one of the most pleasant months to walk the terraces. Spring harvest teas are available at 20-30% below the spring-season tourist markup.Booking tipThe China National Tea Museum is free. Take bus 27 to Longjing Cun. Allow half a day if you want to sit and drink tea at one of the family-run tea houses.
Grand Canal night walk in Gongshu (拱墅)
sightseeingThe Hangzhou section of the Grand Canal runs through the Gongshu district, and the restored canal-side warehouses and bridges are lit up after dark. The stretch from Gongchen Bridge (拱宸桥) south to the China Knife, Scissors, and Sword Museum is about 2km and passes the Hangzhou Craft Museum and several converted warehouse cafes. The crowds thin out significantly after the bridge.
November's earlier sunset (before 5:10pm) means you can start the night walk before dinner. The cooler air along the canal is pleasant rather than the sticky summer humidity of July and August.Booking tipThe canal museums close at 4:30pm most days. Plan to visit them first, then stay for the evening lights. No booking required.
Xixi Wetland Park (西溪国家湿地公园) persimmon harvest
natureXixi Wetland's persimmon trees bear fruit in late October through November, and the wetland runs a seasonal persimmon festival. You can take a flat-bottomed boat through the channels past trees heavy with orange fruit. The wetland is 11.5 square kilometers and far less crowded than West Lake in any season.
The Xixi Persimmon Festival (西溪火柿节) runs from late October into November. Persimmon trees along the boat channels are laden with fruit, and some routes let you pick directly from the boat.Booking tipEntry to Xixi Wetland is 80 RMB. The boat ride is an additional 60 RMB. Take the subway Line 5 to Xixi Wetland. Allow 3-4 hours minimum.
What to eat in November
On menus now
Da Zha Xie (大闸蟹, Chinese Mitten Crab)
November is peak female crab season, when the roe is at its richest. Yangcheng Lake crabs dominate menus across Hangzhou, steamed with ginger and Zhenjiang vinegar. A pair of quality crabs runs 150-300 RMB at established restaurants near Hefang Jie.
Chao Nian Gao (炒年糕, Stir-fried Rice Cakes)
Hangzhou's chewy rice cakes appear on street carts and restaurant menus as the weather cools. The local preparation stir-fries them with shredded pork and napa cabbage, a warming dish that peaks in the cooler months from November through February.
Dongpo Rou (东坡肉, Dongpo Pork)
Hangzhou's signature braised pork belly, named after the Song Dynasty poet Su Dongpo. The dish is available year-round, but cooler November weather makes the rich, wine-braised pork feel right rather than oppressively heavy. Louwailou restaurant on Gushan Island claims the original recipe.
Street food peaks
Chao Li Zi (炒栗子, Sugar-roasted Chestnuts)
Street vendors roast chestnuts in enormous woks of black sand and sugar across the Wulin and Shangcheng neighborhoods starting in late October. By November, the smell of caramelizing chestnuts is inescapable along Yan'an Lu. A bag runs 15-20 RMB.
What to drink
Gui Hua Jiu Niang (桂花酒酿, Osmanthus Rice Wine)
Sweet fermented rice wine infused with preserved osmanthus flowers from the September-October harvest. Served warm from street vendors in the Wushan area, this drink appears in November and stays through winter. About 8-10 RMB per cup.
Regular events in November
Hangzhou Marathon (杭州马拉松)
Annual marathon along the West Lake and Qiantang River shoreline, typically drawing 30,000+ participants across full marathon, half marathon, and fun run categories. The flat, scenic course has become one of China's more popular road races.
First or second Sunday of NovemberXixi Wetland Persimmon Festival (西溪火柿节)
Seasonal harvest celebration at Xixi National Wetland Park where visitors can boat through channels lined with persimmon trees and pick fruit. Includes local food stalls and traditional craft demonstrations in the wetland village area.
Late October through mid-NovemberSingles' Day (双十一, November 11)Free
China's largest shopping event, born at Alibaba's Hangzhou headquarters. While primarily an online event, Hangzhou's Wulin commercial district and the Alibaba campus area in Binjiang run promotions and pop-up events. The Tmall countdown gala on November 10th evening draws crowds to screens across the city.
November 11 (promotions start November 1)Best places this November
Manjuelong (满觉陇)
natureA narrow village road climbing the hills south of West Lake, lined with centuries-old maples and ginkgoes that peak in color during the first two weeks of November. Tea houses are tucked among the trees. The lane connects to the Longjing tea area and makes a natural half-day walking loop.
Xihu DistrictNine Creeks and Eighteen Gullies (九溪十八涧)
hiking trailA 6km trail through bamboo forest and stream crossings in the hills southwest of West Lake. The stepping-stone creek crossings are manageable in November's lower water. The trail ends near Longjing Village, making it easy to combine with a tea house visit.
Xihu DistrictBeishan Lu (北山路)
lakeside walkThe tree-lined road along West Lake's northern shore, running from Broken Bridge to Quyuan Garden. November turns the plane trees lining the road gold. The stretch has more character than the more famous Su Causeway, with Republican-era villas, small cafes, and fewer tour groups.
ShangchengGongchen Bridge and Grand Canal (拱宸桥)
historic districtThe 400-year-old stone arch bridge marks the southern terminus of the Grand Canal's historic Hangzhou stretch. The restored canal-side buildings house the China Knife, Scissors, and Sword Museum and several craft workshops. After dark, the bridge and warehouses are lit, and the tourist density drops to nearly zero on weekday evenings.
GongshuXixi National Wetland Park (西溪国家湿地公园)
parkAn 11.5 square kilometer urban wetland with boat channels winding through reed beds and persimmon orchards. November is persimmon season, and the flat-bottomed boats pass trees heavy with orange fruit. The wetland was the filming location for several scenes in Zhang Yimou's films.
Xihu DistrictLingyin Temple (灵隐寺)
templeOne of China's largest Buddhist temples, founded in 328 AD, set against a forested hillside that turns color in November. The Feilai Feng cliff carvings date to the 10th century. November's cooler temperatures and thinner crowds make the uphill walk to the temple grounds more pleasant than summer visits.
LingyinHefang Jie (河坊街)
historic streetThe restored Song Dynasty commercial street in the Shangcheng district runs about 500 meters and gets crowded on weekends, but November weekday afternoons are manageable. The street vendors selling sugar-roasted chestnuts and osmanthus rice wine are at their best in cooler weather. Huqingyu Tang (胡庆余堂), a traditional Chinese pharmacy founded in 1874, sits at the eastern end.
ShangchengChina National Tea Museum (中国茶叶博物馆)
museumFree museum set among working Longjing tea terraces, with exhibits covering 5,000 years of Chinese tea culture. The surrounding terraces are green year-round, but the deciduous trees framing the paths add autumn color in November. The on-site tea room serves flights of regional teas for 30-50 RMB.
Longjing
Your packing checklist
Tick items off as you pack. Your progress saves in this browser.
Insider tips
The hand-rowed boats (摇橹船) on West Lake cost the same 150 RMB per hour whether you board at the busy Hubin Lu docks or at the quieter pickup point near Quyuan Garden (曲院风荷) on the north shore. The Quyuan boats head straight into the less-trafficked inner lake channels, which are better for photography and far quieter.
Manjuelong's tea houses serve the same Longjing tea you will find in the tourist-oriented shops on Hefang Jie, but at roughly half the price. A pot of decent current-year Longjing runs 30-40 RMB at a Manjuelong tea house versus 80-100 RMB on Hefang Jie. The leaves are from the same nearby hillsides.
Singles' Day on November 11 is primarily an online shopping event, but it affects Hangzhou more than other Chinese cities because Alibaba is headquartered here. Hotels in the Binjiang tech district sell out, and some restaurants near the Alibaba campus run special promotions. If you have no interest in the event, stay near West Lake in Shangcheng instead.
The Hangzhou Metro Line 1 connects Xiaoshan Airport to the Fengqi Lu station near West Lake in about 55 minutes for 8 RMB. The airport taxi to Shangcheng runs 150-180 RMB and takes 40-50 minutes. The metro is slower but skips the highway traffic entirely.
For hairy crab, avoid the tourist-oriented restaurants on Hefang Jie that display tanks out front with inflated prices. The locals eat crab at smaller Zhejiang-cuisine restaurants in the residential blocks behind Wulin Lu, where a pair of 3-liang female crabs costs 100-150 RMB rather than 250-300 RMB.
Avoid these mistakes
- Visiting only the Su Causeway and Bai Causeway and concluding you have 'seen West Lake.' The causeways are the most crowded parts even in November. The western shoreline between Maojiabu (茅家埠) and Longjing has a fraction of the foot traffic and better views of the surrounding hills.
- Dressing for the 18.7°C afternoon high and freezing during a 7am walk. The nearly 10°C daily temperature swing catches visitors from tropical climates off guard. Locals layer up in the morning and strip down by noon. Follow their lead.
- Planning a full day of outdoor sightseeing and realizing at 4:45pm that the sun is setting. November daylight runs roughly 6:15am to 5:05pm. Front-load your outdoor activities and save indoor options like the Grand Canal museums or Hefang Jie browsing for late afternoon.
- Arriving in the last week of November expecting peak autumn color. The maple and ginkgo foliage along West Lake and in Manjuelong typically peaks between November 5-15. By November 25, most color has dropped. If autumn leaves are your primary reason for visiting, aim for the first two weeks.
Practical tips for November
Book the Hangzhou Marathon 6-8 weeks ahead if running. Most West Lake attractions need no advance booking in November, but Lingyin Temple tickets (75 RMB, includes Feilai Feng) sell out on weekend mornings, so arrive before 8:30am or buy online the night before via the official WeChat mini-program. The Hangzhou Metro operates from 6:00am to roughly 10:30pm, with the last trains varying by line. Alipay and WeChat Pay are accepted nearly everywhere, and many vendors do not carry change for cash. International visitors can now link Visa and Mastercard to Alipay's Tour Pass for payments. November is not a public holiday month (Golden Week ended October 7), so government offices and banks keep normal hours. Dress code is casual everywhere except high-end hotel restaurants. Tipping is not customary and can cause confusion. The West Lake scenic area is free and open 24 hours, though the island gardens (Santanyinyue, Huxinting) close at 5pm in November.
FAQ
Is November a good time to visit Hangzhou?
November is one of the better months for Hangzhou, likely ranking 3rd out of 12 behind April and October. The autumn foliage around West Lake peaks in the first two weeks, temperatures are comfortable for walking at 18.7°C (66°F) highs, Golden Week crowds have gone, and hotel prices have dropped 25-35% from October's peak. The main drawback is short daylight. Sunset arrives before 5:10pm, and late November loses most of the autumn color.
What is the weather like in Hangzhou in November?
Expect daytime highs around 18.7°C (66°F) and overnight lows near 9.5°C (49°F). Rainfall averages 71mm spread across about 9 days, typically as short showers rather than all-day rain. Humidity sits at 74%, which adds a damp chill to the cooler mornings. Late November can see cold fronts pushing highs below 15°C (59°F) for 2-3 days. Pack layers and a rain shell.
Is Hangzhou crowded in November?
Crowd levels are medium. The October Golden Week surge (when 3-4 million domestic tourists visit the West Lake area) is over, and November sits in a comfortable shoulder period. The Hangzhou Marathon weekend and Singles' Day (November 11) create brief local spikes, but the Su Causeway and Bai Causeway are noticeably walkable compared to October or spring holidays. Weekday mornings at Lingyin Temple and Xixi Wetland feel genuinely uncrowded.
What should I wear in Hangzhou in November?
Layers. Mornings near the lake feel cold at 9-10°C, especially with the humidity. A medium jacket or fleece plus a long-sleeve shirt handles the morning. By midday, you might be comfortable in a single layer. Bring a compact rain shell for the showers that hit roughly every third day. Comfortable shoes with grip matter for the stepping-stone creek crossings at Nine Creeks and the polished stone paths at temples. Late November warrants a down vest for cold snaps.
When is the best time to see autumn leaves in Hangzhou?
The first two weeks of November are the peak window for autumn foliage around West Lake. Manjuelong and the hills above Longjing Village show the most color, with maples turning red and ginkgoes going gold. The Beishan Lu plane trees along the north shore follow a similar timeline. By November 20-25, most leaves have dropped. If fall color is your primary reason, aim for November 5-15 and have Manjuelong at the top of your list.
Last verified by automated review (v1.7.2) on . What is automated review?