Hi everybody,

My wife, her aunt and I are going to Hangzhou tomorrow night to spend the weekend. We are also taking our nine month old baby.

Anybody have suggestions of fun, but easy, things to do in Hangzhou this weekend?
I know nothing about the city, and I can only speak a little chinese.
(normal taxi conversations, shopping, ordering food at a restaurant, small talk and emergency chinese is about the limit of what I can say and understand)

Any advice would be appreciated!
Thanks,
ben

Benkloepfer,

My family and I are going to Hangzhou too but on Saturday morning. I'm still searching for places to go as well.

If you like Chinese food then try Zhang Sheng Ji ÕÅÉú¼Ç located in Shuang Lin Lu Ë«Áâ·. No very close to the lake but the food is really good. No need to order the expensive items but the duck soup and "pig's leg (?)" ½ÅȦ are good.
I found that the coffee shops around the lake are really expensive - some of them could be RMB50-60 per cup/glass.
Things to see:
standard : take the boat trip to the islands in the lake. For me I think the big boats is sufficient ( the ticket and take you to all the main islands and you can choose where the last stop - front/back or west side of the lake)
Usually the lake side (along Grand Hyatt) is very crowded and one cannot feel the real west lake. Only towards the back (the opposit side) will have more quietness.
Lei Gong Ta(tower) À×¹«Ëþ locates at the back/opposite side of the lake which is less crowded but give very good overview of the lake. Afterwards may simply walk down and (if preferred) have coffee/drink at Si Zi Hotel Î÷×Ó±ö¹Ý ( just down from the tower) and have a walk in the hotel. This hotel occupies a very good section of the lake and gives a very calm environment. I recommend to have a walk there or live there for a night. I stayed in this hotel before and found the hotel quite good. Service don't expect too much but scenary is really good.

Thanks for the suggestion Mon_Mon!
We'll do as you advise. Also I've heard the same thing about the lake having a crowded side and a peaceful side and we'll be sure to head to the quiet end.
Regards,
Ben