Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province, is famous for its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and historic landmarks. From the scenic shores of West Lake to the ancient streets of Hefang Jie, Hangzhou offers a variety of cinematic backdrops. However, while the city is visually stunning, its production infrastructure is still developing, and crews often face logistical challenges.
This guide will walk you through everything from location scouting and permits to equipment rental and seasonal tips, so you can plan a smooth and successful production in Hangzhou.
Production Resources in Hangzhou
Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province, is famous for its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and historic landmarks. From the scenic shores of West Lake to the ancient streets of Hefang Jie, Hangzhou offers a variety of cinematic backdrops. However, while the city is visually stunning, its production infrastructure is still developing, and crews often face logistical challenges.
This guide will walk you through everything from location scouting and permits to equipment rental and seasonal tips, so you can plan a smooth and successful production in Hangzhou.
🎥 Production Resources in Hangzhou
Production resources in Hangzhou are moderate but not as extensive as in first-tier cities like Shanghai or Beijing.
- You can find directors, camera crew, cameramen/videographers, producers, makeup/hair artists, and location managers locally.
- Limited availability for sound recordists, bilingual fixers, assistant directors, cinematographers/DOPs, prop masters, and specialty crew (such as animal handlers).
- For larger-scale productions, it’s best to bring in experienced crew from Shanghai, just a 1-hour high-speed train ride away.
Work Hours: Standard shooting days are 10 hours excluding meal breaks.
Insurance: Film crew and production insurance can be arranged upon request.
📄 Visa & Entry Requirements
- Recommended: Business (M) or Work (Z) visa for professional filming.
- Tourist visa: Sometimes accepted for small shoots, but technically not ideal for commercial work.
📦 Bringing Gear to Hangzhou
- ATA Carnet: Accepted for temporarily importing professional equipment.
- Customs Checks: Always possible—plan additional clearance time and prepare all supporting documents.
- Consider renting in Shanghai if you want to avoid customs delays.
🎬 Equipment Rental in Hangzhou
Hangzhou has a small selection of equipment rental houses offering:
- High-end camera bodies: ARRI Alexa, RED DSMC2, Sony FX series
- Cinema lenses: Angenieux, Cooke, Zeiss, ARRI Signature
- Grip & lighting gear: Available but limited in variety—complex setups may require rentals from Shanghai.
🖥 Post-Production
Post-production resources in Hangzhou are limited compared to bigger cities.
- For editing, color grading, and sound post, consider working with studios in Shanghai.
- Hangzhou does have a few photo/film studios suitable for green screen, product shoots, and small-scale productions.
🏛 Locations & Permits
Government vs Private Property:
- Private locations are easier to secure—generally requires payment and short negotiation.
- Government locations (like parks or cultural sites) require formal permits, sometimes taking 1–2 weeks.
Public Filming:
- Technically, filming without a permit in public spaces is not allowed.
- Small-scale vlogging with handheld or phone cameras is usually fine.
📍 Famous Filming Locations in Hangzhou
- West Lake – UNESCO World Heritage site, classic Chinese landscapes.
- Lingyin Temple – One of China’s most famous Buddhist temples.
- Leifeng Pagoda – Iconic lakeside structure.
- Xixi Wetland Park – Natural wetlands with traditional architecture.
- Qinghefang Ancient Street – Traditional shops and Ming–Qing era architecture.
☀ Seasons, Weather & Air Quality
- Spring (Mar–May): Ideal for outdoor shoots—mild temperatures, lush greenery.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): Hot, humid, and rainy.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): Clear skies, vibrant foliage—popular filming season.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): Cold, damp, fewer tourists.
- Air Quality: Generally better than northern cities, but occasional pollution days.
🚁 Drone Usage
- No-fly zones in Hangzhou’s city center and near West Lake.
- Certain areas require a licensed drone pilot and altitude restrictions.
💰 Costs
- Hotels: $100–$200 USD per night (mid- to high-range).
- Meals: $10–$50 USD per day, depending on quality and location.
- Transport Vans: $150–$200 USD/day with driver.
🚗 Transportation & Local Logistics
- Airport: Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH) with domestic and some international flights.
- Train: High-speed connections to Shanghai (~1 hour), Ningbo (~1.5 hours), and Beijing (~5.5 hours).
- Local Transport: Metro system is expanding, but production crews generally rely on private vans/lorries for gear transport.
- Ride-Hailing: Didi and Meituan are available for smaller team movements.
🌐 Internet & Communication
- Internet speeds are decent, but international websites (Google, YouTube, Dropbox) are blocked without a VPN.
- If you plan to live-stream or transfer large files, pre-test upload speeds at your hotel/studio.
🤝 How Shoot In China Can Help
If you plan to film in Hangzhou, our team can provide:
- Bilingual fixers & producers
- Experienced local and Shanghai-based crew
- Camera, lighting, and grip rental
- Permit applications & location scouting
📧 [email protected] | 🌐 shootinchina.com
Hotel costs range from 100 USD to 200 USD per night, while meal costs can be between 10 USD to 50 USD per day, depending on the type of food.
Transportation
Hangzhou has one major airport, Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport. The city also has several train stations, including Hangzhou Railway Station and Hangzhou East Railway Station. For production, it’s common to hire vans or lorries, with a 5-seat car/van and driver costing 150 USD to 200 USD per day. Smaller productions can use Didi or Meituan, the Chinese equivalents of Uber and Lyft.