‘Hangzhou now punches well above its weight’
The Chinese city of Hangzhou goes under the microscope as IQ uncovers its path to becoming a major touring destination
Feature By Lisa Henderson | 27 January 2026
For years, Hangzhou’s live music scene played second fiddle to the neighbouring province of Shanghai. Audiences were smaller, ticket-buying habits were less developed, and the grassroots circuit was quieter in Zhejiang’s capital.
Now, the gap between the two is closing fast.
Ringed by misty tea plantations, Hangzhou has been billed as “paradise on Earth” thanks to its UNESCO-listed West Lake and hand-picked Longjing tea. Beyond its postcard beauty, the city is also a major tech hub, home to…
You've used your free article this month
Continue reading with a free account, or subscribe for unlimited access to all of our news, features and reports.
