Plan at a glance
Quarry lake area and North Gate
Shaoxing East Lake is in Donghu Town, Yuecheng District, with the North Gate as the usual entrance. The main features are the quarry-formed lake, Xiantao Cave, Trumpet Cave, Taogong Cave, Xiachuan Bridge and the lakeside paths. A quick visit takes about 1.5 hours, while a first visit takes about 2.5-3 hours. Without a boat or when travelling with older adults, allow about 2 hours for a gentler route.
Adult admission is RMB 50. Students and visitors aged 60-69 pay half price, RMB 25. Tickets can be bought on-site or online. Wupeng boats are charged separately at a reference price of RMB 40 per person for a one-way ride; children under 1.2 metres pay half price. The scenic area is open 8:00-17:00, with last entry at 16:30, and Wupeng boats stop at 17:00.
Boat route and terrain
Wupeng boats usually run one way from Pier 1 to Pier 2, with a ride of about 15 minutes. East Lake's paths are narrow, with many stone bridges and changes in level. The physical demands of a lakeside walk, pier queue and mountain route are different, so choose a route that suits the group first.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
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Exploring caves by boat
East Lake suits visitors interested in quarrying remains, water sightseeing and small-scale mountain-and-water scenery. Xiantao Cave, Trumpet Cave and Taogong Cave are the main features of the Wupeng boat route. As the boat passes cliff walls and cave openings, you can see narrow waterways, rock faces and changing light inside the caves.
Xiachuan Bridge, Qin Bridge, Lanyue Bridge and Hanbi Pavilion are good places to view the lake and stone bridges from land. Jishou Tower may host Yue opera or community performances; performance times and opening status follow the arrangements on the day.
Gentle walks and mountain paths
Visitors who do not want to wait in a long queue at Pier 1 can first follow the lakeside path to Pier 2, then take a boat back if boats are operating. Visitors with good stamina can consider the Raomen Mountain route, but the mountain path, ferry and transfer after descending add time and waiting.
East Lake is not suitable for taking a stroller or wheelchair through the full mountain-and-water route, and it can be difficult for visitors who are unsteady on their feet. With older adults or children, prioritize the gentler shore route and decide on the boat according to pier operations and boarding conditions.
Build your day
1.5-hour boat route
Enter through the North Gate and go directly to the Hanbi Pavilion Pier 1. Take a Wupeng boat past Xiantao Cave, Trumpet Cave and Taogong Cave, disembark at Pier 2, then walk past Xiachuan Bridge and Qin Bridge before leaving. During holidays, the Pier 1 queue can exceed 1 hour, so check its length before deciding whether to wait.
2.5-3-hour complete route
After entering through the North Gate, take a boat to Pier 2, then visit Jishou Tower and any Yue opera performance before walking to Qin Bridge and Xiachuan Bridge. If your stamina and the weather allow, add the Raomen Mountain viewpoint route, then return to the gate along the lakeside path. The mountain path and ferry add waiting time, so do not schedule this route too tightly.
2-hour gentle route
After entry, first see the Souqi Moon Gate, then follow the lakeside path to view the lake and black swans before passing the Xiachuan stone bridge and walking to Pier 2. If boats are operating, take a Wupeng boat back from Pier 2; when the schedule is uncertain, return along the shore path for a more reliable plan.
Get there
Buses, taxis and driving
City buses 1, 1A, 57 and Express 7 can reach East Lake Scenic Area Station. A taxi from Lu Xun Native Place or the city takes about 15 minutes, with the fare varying according to traffic and route. If driving, navigate to East Lake Scenic Area's parking lot; spaces are usually available, with a reference price of RMB 10 per visit.
The North Gate is the usual main entrance. After arriving, buy the scenic-area ticket first, then follow the same-day signs for the pier and lakeside paths. Water activities and ferry operations follow the day, so do not reserve the whole route from a map alone.
Moving inside the scenic area
The Wupeng boat from Pier 1 to Pier 2 is a one-way experience. If you want to return from Pier 2, first confirm whether boats are operating. After descending from the Raomen Mountain route, you may also need a free ferry to the opposite bank before connecting to other water transport, and the wait can be long.
Know before you go
Queues and weather
The Pier 1 queue can exceed 1 hour during holidays, while the boat ride itself takes about 15 minutes. On sunny days, the layers of the lake and rock walls are clearer; rain and cloud change the light and the appearance of the water. When the weather is unstable, keep the shore path as an alternative.
Safety and equipment
The paths are narrow, with many stone bridges and uneven surfaces, so wear flat, non-slip shoes. Strollers and wheelchairs are not suitable for the full mountain-and-water route. Older adults, young children and visitors who are uncomfortable with heights should be cautious about the Raomen Mountain and ferry sections, and stay away from unguarded water edges.
Supplies inside the scenic area are limited, so bring water. Whether black-swan feeding and other small activities operate, the feed price and boat service all follow the same-day arrangement. If boats stop or the queue is too long, walking the lakeside path is the better option.
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