A humid subtropical climate: hot summer, mild winter, a plum-rain season

Summers are hot and humid; winters are cold but short (rarely freezing, limited central heating in older dorms); 梅雨 (plum-rain) season in early summer is wet and muggy; spring and autumn are the pleasant seasons, with clear, mild days. Like Nanjing, the Yangtze-Delta humidity stays high.

Sort the paperwork first, then start exploring

1. Confirm where and when to register, as stated in your admission notice
2. Check into your dormitory or complete accommodation registration
3. Complete the document checks, medical examination and insurance your university requires
4. Set up your campus card, SIM card, bank card and everyday payment apps
5. Locate the campus clinic, the international student office and emergency contacts

Work out commuting, payments and food early

Hangzhou's metro reaches the main campuses and the West Lake; buses, the 水上巴士 (water bus) on the Grand Canal and shared bikes cover the rest. The city is famously cashless — Alipay was born here, so a working Alipay (or WeChat Pay) account is almost essential for daily life. Campuses have canteens and delivery; if you have dietary restrictions, check campus restaurants and nearby options early.

Confirm your housing first, then work out monthly costs

On-campus places, room types and opening dates are arranged by the university. Once admitted, confirm quickly whether you need to apply for a dormitory separately. Hangzhou is a tourist city, so rent near the lake and in popular districts runs higher than in Nanjing or Tianjin; student canteens stay cheap. If you live off campus, factor in the deposit, commuting, internet, utilities and furniture.

A Jiangnan city of tea, gardens, and quiet self-made success

Hangzhou's identity is 江南 (Jiangnan) refinement: the 西湖 (West Lake) poetry-and-garden culture, 龙井 (Longjing) tea rituals, and a 宋 (Song-dynasty) heritage visible in the 清河坊 (Qinghefang) old street. It is also pragmatic and entrepreneurial — the 电商 (e-commerce) boom gives the city a "make it yourself" energy rare in older capitals. Locals are gentle and polite; "face" (面子) matters in formal settings, but student life is relaxed. Address teachers as "老师 (lǎoshī)" and older students as "学长 / 学姐".

West-Lake cuisine, Longjing tea, and a slow tea-table culture

Hangzhou's 杭帮菜 (Hangzhou cuisine) is light and fresh: 西湖醋鱼 (West Lake vinegar fish), 龙井虾仁 (Longjing shrimp), 东坡肉 (Dongpo pork), 叫化鸡 (beggar's chicken) and 片儿川 (a pork-and-bamboo noodle soup). Longjing (龙井) tea is the local drink of choice. Halal (清真) options exist; campus canteens are cheap and 美团 / 饿了么 deliver to the gate.

Festivals: 春节 brings family reunions and temple fairs; 端午 West-Lake dragon-boat races; 中秋 and the autumn 桂花 (osmanthus) bloom are quietly celebrated. Freedom of belief is protected; Buddhist temples (灵隐寺, 净慈寺) and local mosques welcome respectful visitors — confirm worship arrangements with your international student office.

Set up the everyday toolkit in your first days

• WeChat (微信) — chat and group notices, plus WeChat Pay; universities push announcements here and you scan to pay in canteens and taxis.
• Alipay (支付宝) — Alipay Pay and transit codes for metro/bus; Hangzhou runs on Alipay, so prioritise setting it up. Both apps accept major international cards for visitors, but keep some cash as backup.
• 高德地图 / 百度地图 (maps), 滴滴出行 (ride-hailing), 12306 (train tickets), 美团 / 饿了么 (food delivery), and the 杭州地铁 app or 浙里办 for local services.