By Fang Jingyi Zhu Jingning Qiu Yueyue Yang Tianfang Li Zheng
Where to go in Hangzhou if you stay in or visit during the upcoming Spring Festival? Here is some useful information about cultural activities, sports facilities, museums, or other attractions. Please also be mindful of any adjustments to business hours for different malls and supermarkets.
Celebrations at your doorstep
Immerse yourself in folk and cultural activities around Hangzhou during the holiday.
Qiantang district
During the Spring Festival, Qiantang district will a see a grand temple fair where you can weave through various food stalls, tasting authentic snacks. The Koi fishing activity also allows for a moment of tranquility and the joy of a rewarding catch. Folk performances such as dragon and lion dances will take turns showcasing the vivid charm of traditional culture. As night falls, the spectacular iron flower performance will light up the sky, and the warmth of the bonfire party will bring people together to usher in and celebrate the New Year.
Gongshu district
Gongshu district has rolled out a series of activities that will continue through to the Lantern Festival. Nanfeng Park at the entrance of Hemu Residential Community will launch a lantern exhibition with light strips and decorations, creating a lively ambiance for the Spring Festival and Lantern Festival. Meanwhile, markets, lantern riddle guessing and rice ball gifting activities will be combined with a lantern exhibition to spread the joy and happiness of the new year.
Shangcheng district
The Qianwang Temple is set to host the "Song Dynasty Aesthetic Cultural Intangible Heritage Gathering", offering a feast for both the eyes and palate with traditional crafts and heritage cuisine. The "Seal Collection" event will have more than 100 locations, where visitors can collect special seals to embrace the auspiciousness of the New Year. Additionally, the "Hangzhou Dragon City Walk" invites people to explore dragon elements within local cuisine and customs, and share photos to win a chance to draw a beautiful gift box.
Jiande city
During the Spring Festival, the Academy of Longshan will create a Song Dynasty-themed lantern festival in Jiande. Yanzhou Ancient City will be adorned with lanterns, taking you back to the Southern Song Dynasty with thousands of bright lights guiding your way. You can dress in Song Dynasty costumes, stroll along the ancient city walls, explore the culturally creative products inspired by the Dynasty, savor traditional Chinese cuisine, immerse yourself in an immersive Song Dynasty-themed market, and experience a unique "trendy" life while traveling back to the old times.
Exhibitions
Museum lovers should mark your calendars for these new year-themed exhibitions.
Southern Song Dynasty Deshou Palace
Ruins Museum
The "Deshou Aspiration for Dragons" exhibition kicked off on Feb 6 at the museum. It reinterprets dragons from Song paintings, classical texts, archaeological discoveries in Lin'an (Ancient Hangzhou), and artifacts unearthed from the Deshou Palace. Through this innovative approach, the exhibition seeks to recreate the grand celebration of the Chinese New Year in ancient Hangzhou, highlighting the joy shared between the royal court and the people.
Opening Hours:
Feb 9 Closed from 12:00
Feb 10 Open at 12:00
Feb 11 Regular hours (9:30-17:00, last entry at 16:30)
Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal Museum
What are the symbolic meanings of dragon? What are some representative archaeological artifacts related to dragons? What are the festive customs associated with dragons? The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal Museum has planned an exhibition where you can find more about the cultural symbol.
Opening Hours:
Feb 9 9:00-12:00
Feb 10 12:00-16:30
Feb 11 to 17 9:00-16:30
Sports facilities
During the Spring Festival, do you have any sports and fitness plans? Here comes a list of recommended Asian Games venues in Hangzhou that are open to the public with free admissions.
Huanglong Sports Center
From Feb 9 to 12, the Huanglong Sports Center cluster, including the Gymnasium and Swimming & Diving Center, will open free to the public. The Center will resume its reservation system on its WeChat Official Account or contact number 96218, with shortened operating hours during this period.
Opening hours：
Feb 9 to 12 10:00-16:00
Feb 13 to 17 10:00-18:00 (10:00-16:00 for Swimming & Diving Center）
Hangzhou Gymnasium
Hangzhou Gymnasium will offer free admission from Feb 10 to 12 to the public. Squash, table tennis, badminton and other sport field in the gym are available for reservation online through Alipay App by searching “亚运场馆在线”.
Opening hours：
Feb 9 9:00-14:00
Feb 10 to 12 9:00-17:00
From Feb 13 9:00-21:00
Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center
Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center will open outdoor track and field, outdoor tennis training court, outdoor badminton court, outdoor volleyball court and outdoor basketball court during the holiday. Ball games courts are free 9:00-14:00. All applications will be available on a first come, first served basis.
Opening hours：
Feb 9 to 17 9:00-18:00
Adjustments of business hours
Please note the following adjustments made to the opening hours of Hangzhou's major malls and supermarkets:
Intime City Chengxi
Feb 10 11:00-21:00
From Feb 11 Regular hours
Hangzhou Hubin Intime Mall in77
Feb 9 10:00-17:00
Feb 10 10:00-20:00
From Feb 11 Regular hours
Hangzhou Tower Shopping Mall
Feb 9 11:00-16:30
Feb 10 11:00-20:00
Feb 11 & 12 11:00-20:00
Feb 13 to 15 10:00-22:00
From Feb 16 Regular hours
Hangzhou Center
Feb 9 10:00-17:00
Feb 10&11 11:00-20:00
From Feb 12 Regular hours
Hangzhou MIXC City
Feb 9 10:00-17:00
Feb 10&11 11:00-20:00
Feb 14 (Valentine's Day) 10:00-23:00
Other dates: Regular hours
Hangzhou Joy City
Feb 9 10:00-16:00
Feb 10 11:00-21:00
From Feb 11 Regular hours
Longfor Paradise Walk (Jinsha/Dingqiao/Wujiao)
Feb 9 10:00-16:00
Feb 10 11:00-20:00
From Feb 11 10:00-22:00
Hangzhou Kerry Center
Feb 9 Regular hours
Some stores may close at 17:00
Feb 10 13:00-22:00
From Feb 11 Regular hours
GDA Plaza
Feb 9 &10 11:00-16:00
Feb 11&12 11:00-21:00
Feb 13 to 15 10:00-21:00
From Feb 16 Regular hours
Grand Canal Palace Shopping Mall
Feb 9 10:00-16:00
Feb 10&11 11:00-21:00
From Feb 12 Regular hours
Freshippo (Hema)
Feb 9 7:00-18:00
Feb 10 10:00-20:00
From Feb 11 Regular hours
Sam's Club
Feb 9 9:00-20:00
From Feb 10 9:00-22:00
Costco
Feb 9 8:00-17:00
Feb 10 Closed
From Feb 11: 9:00-21:00