What are the traffic restriction times for out-of-town vehicles in Hangzhou?
4 Answers
Hangzhou out-of-town vehicle restriction periods: The off-peak hours for all elevated roads and expressways (including ramps and affiliated bridges and tunnels) within the ring expressway are 7:00-10:00 and 16:00-19:00 on weekdays; the off-peak hours for other roads within the off-peak travel area remain 7:00-9:00 and 16:30-18:30 on weekdays. Restricted road sections: All roads within the enclosed area formed by Donghu Elevated Road—Tongcheng Elevated Road—Tonghui Road—Provincial Highway 03—Ring Expressway (South Line)—Ring Expressway (West Line)—Ring Expressway (North Line) (excluding expressways and airport roads), as well as all elevated roads and expressways (including ramps and affiliated bridges and tunnels) within the ring expressway.
I usually pay attention to traffic policies. In Hangzhou, the restrictions on non-local vehicles mainly apply during weekday rush hours: morning rush hour from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM, and evening rush hour from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM. During these times, vehicles with non-Zhejiang A license plates are not allowed to drive in designated areas, such as West Lake District or the city center core zones. There are no restrictions on holidays and weekends. If you accidentally drive into these areas, you may face fines and penalty points. Therefore, it is recommended that non-local vehicle owners check real-time restriction information using map apps before setting off or avoid traveling during peak hours by going a bit earlier or later. The restrictions are primarily aimed at alleviating urban congestion and pollution. I recommend switching to public transportation, such as Metro Line 1 or ride-hailing apps, which are convenient and environmentally friendly. Recently, there have been some policy incentives for new energy vehicles, with certain models exempt from restrictions, but specifics depend on official updates—don’t take risks just to save time.
As a native of Hangzhou who has lived here for over a decade, I'm very familiar with the non-local vehicle restriction hours: from 7:00 to 9:00 in the morning and 4:30 to 6:30 in the afternoon on weekdays, covering popular areas like Binjiang and Shangcheng. During holidays, there's usually free passage without major issues. When my neighbor's out-of-town relatives come to visit by car, they always ask in advance, and I remind them to avoid peak hours to prevent getting fined by traffic cameras. Traffic jams during rush hours are severe, and taking the bus or riding a shared bike is actually faster, saving both time and money. Last year, the policy was slightly adjusted, extending the evening rush hour restriction a bit, so it's important to stay updated with the news and not rely too much on old information. In short, before driving into Hangzhou, check the license plate restriction list and plan your trip carefully to avoid unnecessary trouble.
As a tourist who occasionally visits Hangzhou, I encountered the traffic restriction last time I drove there: non-local license plates are prohibited from entering during weekday rush hours from 7-9 AM and 4:30-6:30 PM. Core scenic areas like the West Lake loop are completely off-limits, though restrictions are more relaxed during holidays and won't affect travel plans. Leaving early to avoid peak hours made the trip smooth, but getting stuck would mean finding parking and switching to metro/bus - quite inconvenient. I'd advise visitors to preset restricted zones in Amap navigation beforehand, or simply rent a Zhejiang A-plate vehicle for convenience.
