Winter in Hangzhou: A Guide to Exploring the Three Lakes and Enjoying Dining & Stays at an IHG Hotel

Winter in Hangzhou has a charm all its own. Along West Lake, the trees are ablaze with color, withered lotus leaves look like ink-wash paintings, and the occasional sunset staining the sky red always draws photography enthusiasts.

Xianghu Lake, often called West Lake’s sister, also reaches its most breathtaking colors this season. On a fine winter day, its shores bustle with visitors – locals out for a stroll as well as tourists coming to soak in the views. I too arrived in Hangzhou on a warm winter afternoon, wandering beside West Lake and Xianghu Lake to savor the city’s special winter beauty.

This time I also visited Hangzhou’s "Eye of the City" – Jinsha Lake. Perhaps because the weather was splendid and it was the weekend, many families had come, toddlers digging in the sand and playing joyfully. There were none of the jostling crowds found at West Lake; just the sounds of laughter and childhood delight.

I was traveling solo, unwinding on a getaway, and chose to stay at Crowne Plaza Hangzhou Longhu, part of the InterContinental Hotels Group. With its outstanding service and comprehensive dining, leisure and meeting facilities, the hotel is a favored choice for both business trips and family holidays.

Stepping into the elegant lobby, you’re immediately greeted by a landscape-like light installation inspired by the ripples of a lake. Crystal lamps are arranged at varying heights, creating a space that feels both open and subtly veiled – an evocation of serene, distant scenery.

To the left is the front desk for check-in and check-out, while to the right is the lobby lounge, a great spot for a photo. On a sunny afternoon, you can sit by the floor-to-ceiling windows with friends and enjoy a refined afternoon tea, with fragrant coffee, fine teas, and delicate pastries.

I stayed in a room on the 23rd floor, part of the Executive Floor. The décor draws on Hangzhou’s landscape elements – mountains and water – to create an atmosphere of elegance and tranquility, offering guests a warm, art-infused setting. Through the bright windows, the bustling city views unfold before you.

The room features a large-screen LED TV with satellite channels, luxurious bathroom amenities by an international brand, high-quality bedding, and a generous workspace. High-speed Wi-Fi and wired internet keep you connected seamlessly.

The bathroom includes a large bathtub. After a day of exploring, nothing beats drawing a hot bath and enjoying a relaxing soak.

As an Executive Floor room guest, I had access to the Executive Lounge on the 22nd floor, where coffee and pastries are served in the evening. Personalized business and concierge services are available, making the lounge a pleasant spot for both business socializing and leisure.

The hotel’s Yan Lan All-day Dining Restaurant serves an extensive buffet for dinner as well as à la carte options. Skilled chefs select premium ingredients from around the world, presenting authentic local specialties and fusion dishes from Europe and Asia.

The restaurant’s space is cleverly designed, with a charming open-air garden and floor-to-ceiling windows that bathe the room in light, creating a relaxed dining atmosphere.

The buffet dinner at Yan Lan has been newly upgraded with a whole-beef hotpot theme: three classic broths accompanied by a variety of Australian beef rolls, guaranteed to warm up your winter. The buffet also features lamb roasted whole and served per person, hairy crabs, braised pork, and fuqi feipian (a Sichuan cold dish of beef and offal). There are also sashimi, a live carving station, molten lava cake, and an impressive selection of ice cream.

Many families stay here on vacation. After breakfast, you’ll see children being taken to the outdoor playground right beside the restaurant.

You’re likely familiar with InterContinental’s two dining brands – Cai Feng Lou and CHAR Bar & Grill. Crowne Plaza Hangzhou Longhu also boasts both, making them a top pick for elegant business and family dinners in Hangzhou. If you’re holidaying here, don’t miss the food at these venues.

Cai Feng Lou Chinese restaurant blends classic Chinese and modern design, its private rooms named after auspicious birds. The menu highlights authentic local Hangzhou cuisine, alongside specialties from Cantonese cooking and the executive chef’s creative dishes.

During the season of plump crabs and rich roe, the restaurant offers hairy crab dishes as well as several exquisite crab-roe creations.

As winter sets in, Cai Feng Lou introduces a new seasonal menu: Cantonese winter wellness specialties, sure to please the most discerning palates.

Dining in one of Cai Feng Lou’s sumptuous private rooms is a memorable experience, with refined décor and delicious food. The Chinese restaurant also has an outdoor garden with tables and chairs; if the weather is fine, dining al fresco is delightful.

I personally love the CHAR Bar & Grill, also a favorite of foodies. The restaurant is known for its prime, juicy steaks, an extensive cocktail list, and tempting sides. It offers a top-tier steak experience and doubles as a stylish bar for the city’s trendsetters.

The fitness and recreation area is on the 5th floor. The gym is equipped with brand-new Life Fitness equipment, including treadmills, elliptical machines, stair climbers, and recumbent bicycles – everything a business or leisure guest needs for a good workout.

The indoor swimming pool is another great spot. Its ceiling sparkles with star-like lights, and the 23-meter-long pool, about 1.2–1.3 meters deep, is heated so you can enjoy a swim even in winter without worrying about chilly water.

The hotel is located in the Jinsha Lake core CBD of Hangzhou’s Qiantang New District, adjacent to the International Business Center (IBC) and the large shopping mall Longhu Jinsha Tianjie.

Master Kong Dream Exploration Park is about 5 kilometers from the hotel, a quick taxi ride away. You can also take the special "Master Kong" train for a family-friendly tour. With a Dream Theater, mysterious passageways, fun games, and food tasting, the visit lasts about 75 minutes and combines fun with learning. To reserve a free tour, contact the hotel switchboard at 0571-28072888.

The hotel is directly connected to the metro; it’s right above Jinsha Lake Station on Line 1. It’s 20 kilometers from Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, 15 kilometers from Hangzhoudong Railway Station, and just a 15-minute metro ride to the heart of downtown Hangzhou.

Crowne Plaza Hangzhou Longhu

Address: No. 523 Jinsha Avenue, Qiantang New District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang

Direct access from Exit D of Jinsha Lake Station on Metro Line 1.