On September 11, a several-meter-tall Pikachu "airdropped" onto the intersection of Pinghai Road and Dongpo Road on Hangzhou's Hubin Pedestrian Street, officially kicking off a six-day inflatable exhibition. As a highlight of the Pokémon City Roam Hangzhou stop, this round Pikachu had already built up significant anticipation on social media before its debut.
This Pokémon City Roam, running from August 21 to September 27, has transformed Hangzhou's Hubin area into a "City of Cuteness": with coordinated events at Hubin 88 Mall, Hubin Pedestrian Street, Gonglian CC, and West Lake's Three Parks, featuring three daily Pokémon meet-and-greets, weekend heritage craft workshops, and an 800-meter stamp-collecting City Walk... Whether it's little ones holding their parents' hands or fans who grew up with Pokémon, everyone can find their own joy by the West Lake.
Head to the second floor of Hubin 88 Mall, where the intangible cultural heritage workshops are always the most popular spots on weekends and holidays. Bamboo weaving artisans guide fans in crafting Poké Balls from bamboo, dough sculpture masters teach everyone how to mold an adorable Psyduck, and you can even make a rolling lantern under the guidance of heritage inheritors—when Jiangnan's traditional crafts meet Pokémon, timeless skills find their most vibrant expression. On the same floor, visitors can also craft exclusive souvenirs like Pokémon spinning badges or lotus leaf umbrellas at the "Dream Workshop," taking home cherished memories.
The Pokémon pop-up store in the first-floor atrium is a must-visit spot for fans. With a dazzling array of merchandise and carefully curated thematic displays, every corner is photo-ready for social media. For many others, the most special experience lies along an approximately 800-meter stamp-collecting City Walk route: starting from the mall, you collect Pokémon stamps along Hubin Pedestrian Street. As you stroll and pause, the scenic beauty of West Lake blends charmingly with playful Pokémon elements, turning a city walk into a treasure hunt.
The three daily Pokémon meet-and-greets are undoubtedly the event's standout moments. When it's time for the meet-and-greet, the sunken plaza at Hubin 88 fills with crowds; children press against the railings waving enthusiastically, while adults follow along with their phones recording. As familiar music plays, Pikachu and friends sway and interact to the rhythm, cheers rise throughout the venue, and the air is filled with pure joy.
The thoughtfulness of this event is also reflected in its careful consideration for being "all-age friendly." The schedule covers both weekdays and weekends, spanning the end of summer vacation and the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, allowing families to visit at their own pace and return as often as they like; the stamp-collecting route is entirely walkable with a flexible rhythm; and the sessions at West Lake's Three Parks are located right by the lakeside, so visitors can enjoy a lake tour after the event, catering to both local residents and tourists alike.
From late summer to early autumn, over the course of 38 days, inflatable Piplup and Pikachu made successive appearances, with three waves of Pokémon meet-and-greets taking turns on stage. The final sessions from September 25 to 27 coincided with the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday. Pokémon brought more than just an event; it offered a period of companionship by the lakeside—beneath the cuteness lies the warmth and vitality of a city.