Hangzhou, a city where elegance runs deep in its veins. Whether it’s the stunning landscapes, modern fashion, or mouthwatering local delicacies, you can find it all here. If it’s your first time in Hangzhou, start your journey at West Lake.
West Lake (Xī Hú, 西湖)
West Lake was once a saltwater lake and has often been reduced to a swamp. Two famous poets from ancient China came to Hangzhou as officials and built dams to store water, resulting in the West Lake we see today. These poets were Bai Juyi of the Tang Dynasty and Su Dongpo of the Song Dynasty. The two public works they initiated are the Bai Causeway (Bái Tí, 白堤) and the Su Causeway (Sū Tí, 苏堤).
West Lake's lakeside is lined with over 100 parks, large and small, along with the famous "Ten Scenic Spots of West Lake." The origins of these scenic spots can be traced back to the Southern Song Dynasty when scholars and poets would sail the lake, composing poetry and painting, leading to the selection of the original Ten Scenic Spots of West Lake.
Old Ten Scenic Spots of West Lake :
- Su Tí Chūn Xiǎo (苏堤春晓) – Spring Dawn on Su Causeway
- Qū Yuàn Fēng Hé (曲院风荷) – Lotus in the Breeze at Quyuan Garden
- Píng Hú Qiū Yuè (平湖秋月) – Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake
- Duàn Qiáo Cán Xuě (断桥残雪) – Broken Bridge in the Snow
- Huā Gǎng Guān Yú (花港观鱼) – Flower Harbor Watching Fish
- Liǔ Làng Wén Yīng (柳浪闻莺) – Willow Waves and the Warblers’ Song
- Sān Tán Yìn Yuè (三潭印月) – Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon
- Shuāng Fēng Chā Yún (双峰插云) – Twin Peaks Piercing the Clouds
- Léi Fēng Xī Zhào (雷峰夕照) – Sunset at Leifeng Pagoda
- Nán Píng Wǎn Zhōng (南屏晚钟) – Nanping Evening Bell
New Ten Scenic Spots of West Lake :
- Wú Shān Tiān Fēng (吴山天风) – The Heavenly Wind of Wu Mountain
- Mǎn Lóng Guì Yǔ (满陇桂雨) – Osmanthus Rain at Manlong Ridge
- Yù Huáng Fēi Yún (玉皇飞云) – Jade Emperor Flying Clouds
- Yún Qī Zhú Jìng (云栖竹径) – Cloudy Bamboo Path
- Jiǔ Xī Yān Shù (九溪烟树) – Nine Creeks and Misty Trees
- Huáng Lóng Tǔ Cuì (黄龙吐翠) – Yellow Dragon Spitting Green
- Lóng Jǐng Wèn Chá (龙井问茶) – Longjing Tea and the Tea Ceremony
- Hǔ Pǎo Mèng Quán (虎跑梦泉) – Tiger Running Spring
- Ruǎn Dūn Huán Bì (阮墩环碧) – Ruandun’s Green Reflections
- Bǎo Shí Liú Xiá (宝石流霞) – Gemstones Flowing in the Sunset
How to Enjoy West Lake?
Activity 1: Take a West Lake Boat Tour
There are several types of boat tours on West Lake, and here are the top three highly recommended options:
- Luxury Painted Boat (Hāo Huá Huà Fàng Chuán, 豪华画舫船) Approximate price: ¥50Docking Stations: Er Gongyuan (Second Park), Wu Gongyuan (Fifth Park), Shaonian Gong (Youth Palace)
- Leisure Boat (Xiū Xián Chuán, 休闲船) Approximate price: ¥55You can board the boat from any of the following piers: Qián Wáng Cí (Qian Wang Temple), Háng Fàn (Hangzhou Restaurant), Zhōng Shān (Zhongshan), or Huā Gǎng (Flower Harbor). The boat will take you to the Sān Tán Yìn Yuè (Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon) Island , and you can return from any pier.
- Rowing Boat (Shǒu Huà Chuán, 手划船) ¥150 per hour per boat (up to 6 people)
Activity 2: Take a Stroll on Beishan Road and Nanshan Road
One side offers the tranquility of the mountains, the other side reveals the deep beauty of the lake. These two streets embody the essence of Hangzhou. If you haven’t walked along these roads that embrace West Lake, you can’t truly say you’ve visited Hangzhou.
Golden Lake Shoreline: Nanshan Road (Nánshān Lù, 南山路) Starting from Húbīn Pedestrian Street in the north to Xīshān Road in the south, Nanshan Road stretches 4 kilometers. It represents the quiet charm of nature, blending seamlessly with the city. One half is intertwined with urban life, and the other half is hidden among mountains and waters.
Highlights on Nanshan Road:
- China Academy of Art (Zhōngguó Měishù Xuéyuàn, 中国美术学院)
- Zhejiang Art Museum (Zhèjiāng Měishù Guǎn, 浙江美术馆)
- China Silk Museum (Zhōngguó Sīchóu Bówùguǎn, 中国丝绸博物馆)
- Chenghuang Pavilion (Chénghuáng Gé, 城隍阁)
- Jing Temple (Jìng Sì, 净寺)
- Taizi Bay (Tàizǐ Wān, 太子湾)
- Su Causeway (Sū Dī, 苏堤)
- Scenic spots like Liùlàng Wén Yīng (柳浪闻莺), Leifeng Sunset (Léi Fēng Xī Zhào, 雷峰夕照), Huā Gǎng Guān Yú (花港观鱼), and Sū Dī Chūn Xiǎo (苏堤春晓)
Recommended Touring Options:
- Electric shuttle that stops on demand
- Night sightseeing buses around West Lake
Nostalgic Old Times: Beishan Road (Běishān Lù, 北山路) Starting from Duànqiáo (Broken Bridge) in the east to Shùguāng Road in the west, Beishan Road stretches less than 3 kilometers, making it ideal for a leisurely stroll. Especially in autumn, the scenery is picturesque.
This historic street, once at the heart of the Republic of China era, is filled with romantic, vintage villas, museums that capture the essence of West Lake, artistic and peaceful cafes, and long-standing restaurants.
Highlights on Beishan Road:
- Bàoqīng Villa (抱青别墅)
- Qiūshuǐ Mountain Villa (秋水山庄)
- Xīnxīn Restaurant (新新饭店)
- West Lake Expo Museum (Xī Hú Bó Lǎn Huì Bówùguǎn, 西湖博览会博物馆)
- Pure Time Bookstore (Chúnzhēn Niándài Shūbā, 纯真年代书吧)
Recommended Touring Options:
- Walking
- Cycling
Activity 3: Watch the West Lake Music Fountain Show
The distant West Lake serves as a backdrop, while the lights and water flow act as the paintbrush. The ever-changing, flowing water columns become a brilliant spectacle under the colorful lights and the night sky.
Viewing Location : Lakeside Pedestrian Street, near the Grand Hyatt Hotel
Recommended Time : Every night between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM, with 1 to 2 shows lasting around 15 minutes. The schedule may vary depending on the season and holidays. For updates, follow the "West Lake Sound" WeChat official account or ask local staff at West Lake.
Tips : There are two rows of viewing platforms at the front. It’s best to arrive at least 1 hour in advance to secure a good spot. Standing closer to the front won't obstruct the view for others.
Activity 4: Visit Lingyin Temple
"Four hundred and eighty temples of the Southern Dynasties, many pagodas amidst mist and rain." The grand scenery of Southeast Buddhist Kingdom during the Southern Dynasties is still partially visible in today's Lingyin Temple.
The Lingyin Temple Scenic Area consists of two main parts: Feilai Peak and Lingyin Temple, each requiring a separate ticket. Start by purchasing your ticket for Feilai Peak at the ticket booth, and after passing through the “Zhi Chi Xi Tian” (Near West Heaven) wall, you'll see the Lingyin Temple plaque.
How to Visit Lingyin Temple : Lingyin Temple, one of the five ancient Buddhist temples, has long been a popular destination for prayers in Hangzhou. You can follow the temple's central axis for your visit.
Upon entering the temple, you'll receive three incense sticks for offering. In front of the Great Hero Hall, people throw one-yuan coins into the incense burner as a prayer for peace. The temple is also home to a Guinness World Record—the world’s highest bronze hall. The 12.62-meter-tall 500 Arhats Hall is beautifully decorated with 500 Arhat statues.
Visiting Guide :
1️⃣ First, head to Feilai Peak Scenic Area. There’s a QR code at the entrance to buy your ticket; just scan it or show your ID to enter, though the sign at the gate says Lingyin Temple.
2️⃣ Walk through the Feilai Peak stone carvings—this entire mountain is filled with stunning Buddhist stone sculptures.
3️⃣ Once you enter Lingyin Temple, you can either scan the QR code on the wall or buy your ticket at the window.
4️⃣ After entering, you’ll be given three incense sticks for offering—no need to buy them!
5️⃣ It’s recommended to get a number ticket first, then line up for the 18 Seed Bracelet. There are four halls where you can buy the bracelet, with the highest stock at the main entrance. It's limited, so lining up early is advised! The bracelet costs 46 RMB, and each person can buy up to two.
Ticket Prices :
- Lingyin Temple: 30 RMB
- Feilai Peak: 45 RMB
Opening Hours :
- 7:00 AM - 6:15 PM (last entry at 5:15 PM)
- On Buddhist holidays, the first and fifteenth day of each month, and national holidays, the temple opens 30 minutes earlier. On the 14th and 30th days of the lunar calendar, the temple stays open until 2:00 AM the next day.
Vegetarian Experience :Exit the temple and turn right; on the second floor of the Hidden Market (Yinshi), there’s a self-service vegetarian restaurant offering a variety of dishes for 30 RMB per person.
“Cī Bēi Coffee” Experience :Located at Yongfu Temple next door to Lingyin Temple, enter and turn right to find the coffee spot. It’s within the Feilai Peak Scenic Area, so you'll need to buy a ticket (45 RMB). Simply tell the staff you’d like a "Suiyuan" (Fate Coffee), and you’ll randomly receive a "coffee fortune."
“Good Luck Milk Tea” :Buy a milk tea and get a cute “Little Teapot” gift! The store is called “SANG Tea 桑茶,” located on the second floor of the Feilai Peak ticket booth area. A cup costs around 26 RMB.
Activity 5: Watch the "Impression West Lake" Performance
Performance Times :
- Summer: First show at 7:45 PM, second show at 9:15 PM
- Winter: First show at 7:30 PM, second show at 9:00 PM
Ticket Prices :
- Audience seats: Vary from 310-370 RMB for children, 360-420 RMB for adults
- VIP seats are available at higher prices
- Showtimes may vary and ticket prices are subject to real-time adjustments by the scenic area.
This stunning outdoor performance showcases the beauty and culture of West Lake through a combination of music, dance, and stunning visuals. Be sure to check the schedule in advance to secure your seats!
Activity 6: Experience a West Lake Night Tour
This route is considered the most beautiful night tour around West Lake. Starting from Nanshan Road, passing through Beishan Street, and circling the lake, you'll enjoy the moonlit scenery from the bus and explore the tranquil lakeside and mountain views on foot.
Route Details :
- Starting Point : Longxiang Bridge
- Route : Yigong Park → Qingbo Gate (along Nanshan Road) → Jing Temple → Su Causeway → Huagang (Flower Harbor) Fish Viewing → Huapu → Yue Temple (along Beishan Road) → Broken Bridge → Longxiang Bridge
Departure Times :
- Weekdays: 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
- Weekends & Holidays: 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Ticket Prices :
- Regular Bus: 10 RMB per person per section, 40 RMB for the entire route
- Antique-style Bus: 20 RMB per person per section, 80 RMB for the entire route
- You can hop on and buy tickets directly from the driver.
This leisurely tour gives you a chance to enjoy West Lake’s romantic charm under the night sky.
