Hangzhou Nightlife: Shows, Music Fountains, Walking & Bars

1. Enduring Memories of Hangzhou (Impression West Lake)

Enduring Memories of Hangzhou, formerly called Impression West Lake, ranks at the top of the list of best shows in Hangzhou. This new version of Impression West Lake Show was firstly offered during the G20 Summit held in 2016. It is performed on a stage built on the surface of the West Lake, with the beautiful surrounding sceneries of West Lake as the backdrop. The fantastic and dreamlike performance, directed by Zhang Yimou (the director of the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing), combining Chinese and Western, classical and modern elements will amaze travelers and the whole world in an upgrading way. During the show, travelers may have the chance to enjoy "Spring River in the Flower Moon Night", "Dance of Picking Tea Leaves", "A Tale of Chinese Romeo and Juliet", "High Mountains and Flowing Waters", "Ballet Swan Lake", "Mu Country and I", "Moon Light", "The Unforgettable Jasmine Flower" and "Ode to Joy".

At that time, travelers can enjoy dancers performing in the beautifully lit background on a floating platform which seems like dancers is dancing on the surface of West Lake. In such a setting, together with wonderful music background and awesome performance, the show should be the most memorable one, helping travelers spend the most memorable night in Hangzhou.

>> Check more about Top 7 Impression Shows in China

Popular Hangzhou Tour with Optional Enduring Memories of Hangzhou Show:

>> 2 Days Essence of Hangzhou Tour

2. "The Romance of the Song Dynasty" Show

The Romance of Song Dynasty is another symbolic performance of Hangzhou. The Romance of Song Dynasty, together with the O show in Las Vegas and the Moulin Rouge in Paris, are regarded as the "Top 3 Famous Shows in the World".

It is divided into six parts: "Preface: Light of Liangzhu", "Scene 1: Song Palace Dance", "Scene 2: Armored Cavalry", "Scene 3: West Lake Legend", "Scene 4: Charming Hangzhou". Through the story telling, travelers can have a rough understanding about the ancient Hangzhou culture about Neolithic Age of 8000-5000 years ago, the Southern Song Dynasty, the patriotic story about Yue Fei and his army, the legend about Chinese Romeo and Juliet - Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, the love between Bai Suzhen and Xu Xian, also enjoy the charming Hangzhou through its tea culture, silk culture and Jiangnan beautiful scenery.

1. West Lake Musical Fountain

The 126-meter-long West Lake Musical Fountain takes full advantage of the vast West Lake as background that travelers can enjoy the amazing musical fountain show at the fixed time every night. Rhymed with dulcet music, the fountain is dancing over the quiet lake with willows waving in the wind.

Every night, travelers can enjoy three songs about West Lake, Chinese and Western classical music and pop music, like "The Butterfly Lovers", "Once Every a Thousand Years", "Impressions of the West Lake", "Tea Picking Dance", "Love My China", "Good Time", "Blue Danube", "My Heart Will Go On", "The Power of Love", "Scarborough Fair", "Welcome Symphony", "The Magnificent Seven", "The Prayer", "Time to Say Goodbye"…

2. Wulin Square Music Fountain & 3D Light Show

Wulin Square is surrounded by tall buildings, like Hangzhou Tower, Hangzhou Theater, Zhejiang Exhibition Hall, etc. The elegant fountain is designed in the style of plum blossom with eight fairy ladies in the middle.

When the music begins, water spews out from the ground and the fairy ladies seem like playing music and dancing - three of them in the middle dancing and flying over the ground and other five like standing on five petals to play classical music with Chinese lute, Lusheng, flute, Konghou intoxicatingly. With the beautiful rhyme, the fountain goes up and down and the highest can reach 36 meters. Travelers can enjoy six songs, like "William Tell Overture", "The Butterfly Lovers", "Voice of Spring", "Swan Lake", "Water Melody", "Ode to Joy".

About 20 meters on the north is the Zhejiang Exhibition Hall where you can enjoy the 3D light show at 20:00 on its wall. In 15-minute story, you will travel through 8000 years' old history till the modern Hangzhou. With perfect sound effect, travelers will hold your breath to appreciate flying huge dragon, spectacular Qiantang River Tide, Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, lotus fully blossom in West Lake, roaring high speed train…

3. Qianjiang New Town Music Fountain & Light Show

As the sun goes down, the Qianjiang New Town becomes dazzling and brightly which seems like the amazing night of Shanghai Bund along Huangpu River. The whole Qianjiang New Town is like a young lady putting on her evening dress, showing her grace to the public.

Qiantang New Town has 35 main buildings (like Hangzhou Grand Theater, Hangzhou International Convention Center, Hangzhou Fortune Finance Center, Hangzhou Civic Culture Tower, Wanxiangcheng, etc.) with 4G signal for the light show. This light show is themed with "City, Water, Light and Reflection" to display the essences of China, Jiangnan, Hangzhou and Qiantang New Town. The whole light show is divided into three parts - "Soul of City", "Spirit of Water" and "Reflection of Light" that every traveler can touch the brilliant culture of China and Hangzhou. To enjoy the "Spirit of Water" - Musical Fountain show, travelers should get to the Hangzhou Grand Theater. To enjoy the light show displaying on the tall buildings, travelers should climb up to Hangzhou City Balcony. The musical fountain show and light show take place at the same time.

1. Enjoy Sunset and Awesome Night View in Changqiao Park

It would be one of the most awesome moment when look at the sun going down from West Lake the glow shining on its golden water. The whole lake gives you a feeling of peace and joy. It will be a romantic and comfortable moment if you are with your family or friends walking slowly along the West Lake or sitting quietly in a pavilion in Changqiao Park. As the sun goes down, you can appreciate West Lake night view when the light opening in the Leifeng Pagoda area, Three Causeways, Three Islands and City God Temple and more.

2. Explore along Hefang Street

Compared with the quiet West Lake area, the glittering Hefang Street is in hustle and bustle where thousands of travelers get here to taste the local snacks (Hangzhou Streamed Bun, Beggars' Chicken, Ears of Cat, etc.), hunt for satisfying souvenirs (silk, tea, fan, scissor, etc.), involve in some interesting folk activities (throwing sandbags, etc.) and know the story about Yue Fei, a patriotic hero in the Southern Song Dynasty. Walking and exploring leisurely along the old Hefang Street with traditional buildings standing by, you are sure to travel through hundred years' history to the Southern Song Dynasty (1127~1279).

3. Take a Leisure Walk along Nanshan Road

Nanshan Road is located in the core area of Hangzhou with West Lake to its west and Hefang Street, Mount Wu, Wansong Hill to its east, linking with Hubin Road in its north and Yuhuang Road in its south. Three of the famous Ten Scenes of West Lake are located near Nanshan Road, including "Leifeng Pagoda in the Sunset (雷峰夕照)", "Orioles Singing in the Willows (柳浪闻莺)" and "Evening Bell Ringing at the Nanping Hill (南屏晚钟)".

When the sun goes down, Nanshan Road with tall plane trees standing erectly light up which turns into another starry and romantic world. You can either walk along the street, or stop to have a cup of coffee at its nearby bar, or enjoy a light walk into the beautiful parks near West Lake.

4. Hit Hangzhou Bars & Night Clubs

In addition to the light shows, music fountains and leisure night walkings, Hangzhou also offers a dizzying array of bars and night clubs for you to let off some stream after a day of sightseeing. There are cozy bars for music lovers, including jazz bars, electronic music bars, rock music bars, etc. Also, there are bistros where you will be treated with various delicious snacks and dishes in both Chinese and Western styles. Besides, there are Normally, you can find the best bars on Nanshan Road and Shuguang Road in Hangzhou. And the most popular bars and clubs include the Maya Bar, Traveler Bar, Jz Club, etc.