Plan at a glance
Location, how to reach the island, and visit time
Laoshan Island is in Zhongmiao Subdistrict, Feidong County, Hefei. Navigate to the Laoshan Island Scenic Area Visitor Centre and take a boat from its pier. The island has no separate admission ticket; you need a round-trip boat ticket to reach it. Reference fares are CNY 60 per person for the tour boat and CNY 75 for the speedboat. Check the boat type and the day’s sailings at the pier.
Allow 2–2.5 hours to go straight to Wenfeng Tower, see the lake, and return to the pier. Allow 3–4 hours if you also want to visit the century-old fishing village, walk the island paths, and spend longer on the island. Tour boats run about every 20–30 minutes and speedboats about every 10 minutes; both leave when full. The reference last return boat is around 18:00 in summer and around 17:30 outside summer, so look at the day’s timetable before boarding.
Who this visit suits
The island suits visitors interested in lake and island scenery, boat rides, climbing to a high point, and village life. It also works for families who want a walk in a natural setting. The main experiences are the boat ride, Wenfeng Tower, and the fishing village. Food, supplies, and visitor attractions on the island are relatively limited, and most visitors find half a day enough.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
View Visit Optionsvia Trip.comChoose your visit
The boat, Wenfeng Tower, and views over Chaohu Lake
The ride from the pier to the island in the middle of the lake is part of the experience. Wenfeng Tower is the island’s high point and main landmark. It was first built in the Ming dynasty and later extended by Li Hongzhang, and has seven levels. Whether the tower is open and how high you can go depends on the day’s arrangements. The view reaches over Chaohu Lake, although weather and lake conditions affect visibility.
The century-old fishing village and island paths
The century-old fishing village keeps traces of everyday life, including bluestone lanes, old fishing boats, and drying nets. It is a good place to slow down before the climb. On the way down, you can detour to Wanggu Pavilion, then return to the pier along the lakeside fitness path or island loop boardwalk. The paths differ in slope, opening conditions, and physical demand, so comfortable shoes help.
Choosing how long to stay
Visitors who mainly want lake views and a climb can start with Wenfeng Tower. Those more interested in local life can visit the fishing village first. Families can make the boat and village walk the main part of the visit. Food and commercial facilities on the island are limited, so decide whether to eat there around the boat schedule and return time.
Build your day
A 2–2.5 hour quick route
After disembarking, follow the main path towards Wenfeng Tower, climb to the tower or the tower-access area, then descend by the path on the other side and return to the pier. Return boats do not leave continuously on demand, so leave time for queues and waiting. If the tower is not open for climbing that day, complete the short route along the main path and lakeside instead.
A 3–4 hour full route
Visit the century-old fishing village first, then continue past Moon Pavilion and the tea house below the tower to Wenfeng Tower. On the way down, detour to Wanggu Pavilion and return to the pier along the lakeside fitness path or island loop boardwalk. This route combines the village, the climb, and the lakeside paths, and suits visitors comfortable with continuous walking.
Boat times, the tower, and the return journey
Tour boats and speedboats have different sailings and last return times, and departures when full can also be affected by visitor numbers. Queues are possible before and after the island visit during holidays, and missing the last boat directly affects the return journey. If you also want to visit Zhongmiao Temple or Zhongmiao Commercial Street after disembarking, make sure you catch the last return boat first.
Get there
Driving and parking
Navigate to the Laoshan Island Scenic Area Visitor Centre to reach the pier. The visitor centre has a car park, with a reference fee of CNY 11 per visit. After arriving, find the parking area and pier before buying the boat ticket; on weekends and public holidays, allow extra time for parking, ticket purchase, and waiting to board.
Metro and bus
Take Metro Line 5 to Fangxinghu Station, transfer to Bus 308 to Zhongmiao Bus Stop, and walk to the visitor-centre pier. Public transport requires a transfer, so check the day’s services and return connections before setting out; the total journey also includes the transfer and final walk.
Know before you go
Boat tickets, concessions, and the last boat
Laoshan Island has no separate admission ticket; the main cost is the round-trip boat ticket. Tour boats and speedboats have different fares, and the reference fare for visitors aged 60 and above and students with valid identification is CNY 45. Prices, concessions, boat types, and last return times may change, so look at the ticket counter and sailing arrangements on the day. Queues can exceed an hour during holidays such as the May Day break, and taxis may be hard to find for the return, so avoid the busiest periods or arrive early.
Weather, walking, and island supplies
The island has strong sun and little shade in summer, with many mosquitoes and caterpillars; spring and autumn are usually more comfortable for walking and climbing. In some seasons the lake water may look cloudy or have blue-green algae, and weather can affect the lake views. Food and commercial facilities on the island are limited, so bring enough drinking water and simple snacks.
Zhongmiao Temple and plans after the island
Zhongmiao Temple is close to the boarding pier and can be visited before boarding or after returning. You can also eat at Zhongmiao Commercial Street after disembarking. Whether or not you add a shore-side stop, use the day’s last return boat as the limit for your time on the island and avoid staying too long.