A Poetic Encounter in Picturesque Jiangnan

The West Lake in Hangzhou has been a "paradise on earth" in the writings of scholars and poets since ancient times. Here, mountains and waters complement each other, and historical sites are scattered like stars. It has both the dynamism of natural scenery and the heritage of thousands of years of culture. This guide will take you on an in-depth exploration of West Lake, unlocking a poetic journey through Jiangnan. I. West Lake Core Tour Guide 1. Recommended Must-See Attractions Highlights of the Ten Scenes of West Lake Su Causeway Spring Dawn: Stroll along the Six Bridges and experience the romance of "smoke, willows, and painted bridges." It is recommended to visit in the early morning or evening to avoid crowds. Broken Bridge Residual Snow: The birthplace of the Legend of the White Snake. The winter snow scene is stunning, and the lake and mountain scenery can be enjoyed in other seasons. Leifeng Pagoda Sunset Glow: Climb the tower for a panoramic view of West Lake. At sunset, the golden light sprinkles down, making it a must-visit for photography enthusiasts. Three Pools Mirroring the Moon (Xiaoyingzhou): Take a boat tour to the island in the lake, the background of the one-yuan RMB note. Flower Harbor Viewing Fish: Enjoy cherry blossoms in spring and red maples in autumn, where gardens and lake scenery blend perfectly. Cultural and Historical Sites Yue Fei Temple: Pay tribute to Yue Fei's history of resisting the Jin Dynasty and feel the awe-inspiring righteousness of "serving the country with utmost loyalty." Solitary Hill: Visit the Xiling Seal Society and the Zhejiang Provincial Museum (Solitary Hill Branch) to appreciate the elegance of scholars. 2. In-depth Experience Activities Cycling around the lake: Shared bikes are available along West Lake. The Yanggong Causeway-Nanshan Road loop is recommended, with shady trees along the way. Roaming by rowing boat: Avoid the crowds and charter a hand-rowed boat (about 150 yuan/hour) to explore the tranquil waters of Maojiabu and Turtle Pond. West Lake Night Tour: Lakeside Musical Fountain (19:00, 20:00 each) and Impression West Lake live performance (directed by Zhang Yimou, tickets required). II. Extended Surrounding Attractions Lingyin Temple-Feilai Peak: A thousand-year-old temple with flourishing incense, the stone carvings of Feilai Peak showcase Buddhist art. It is recommended to arrive early to avoid crowds. Longjing Village: Taste pre-Qingming Longjing tea, experience tea picking and frying, and hike through the Nine Creeks and Eighteen Streams to experience the hidden forest. Song Dynasty Town (tickets are slightly expensive): The Romance of Song Dynasty show recreates the prosperity of the Southern Song Dynasty, suitable for tourists who enjoy immersive experiences. Hefang Street & Southern Song Imperial Street: Stroll and eat traditional snacks, but it is highly commercialized, so it is recommended to sample lightly. III. Transportation Guide Arriving in Hangzhou Airplane: Xiaoshan Airport, take Subway Line 1 directly to West Lake (about 1 hour). High-speed Rail: Hangzhou East Station/Hangzhou Station, take the subway or taxi to West Lake (20-30 minutes). City Transportation Subway: Line 1 (Longxiangqiao Station) directly to the Hubin business district, Line 4 to Shuichengqiao (transfer to bus to Nine Creeks). Bus: West Lake Loop Bus (such as WE1314) covers major attractions. Shared bikes: The first choice for cycling around the lake. Note that parking is prohibited in some areas of the scenic area. IV. Food Guide Must-try Hangzhou Cuisine Classic dishes: West Lake Vinegar Fish (Lou Wai Lou), Dongpo Pork (Grandma's Home), Longjing Shrimp, Pian Er Chuan. Snacks: Cong Bao Hui, Dingsheng Cake, Cat Ears. Recommend alley old shops such as "Grandma Sun's Cong Bao Hui." Recommended Restaurants High-end: Lou Wai Lou (south foot of Solitary Hill, excellent view), Four Seasons Hotel Jin Sha Hall (Black Pearl three-diamond). Affordable: Zhi Wei Guan (Hubin main store), New Bai Lu (super cost-effective). Tea Drinking Experience Lakeside Pavilion: Enjoy Longjing tea by the lake, about 50 yuan per person, and experience the slow life of the "tea capital." V. Itinerary Suggestions One-Day Highlights Tour Broken Bridge → Bai Causeway → Solitary Hill → Yue Fei Temple → Su Causeway → Flower Harbor Viewing Fish → Leifeng Pagoda → West Lake Night Tour. Two-Day In-depth Tour Day 1: Cycling around the lake + Three Pools Mirroring the Moon + Leifeng Pagoda + Impression West Lake; Day 2: Lingyin Temple + Longjing Village + Nine Creeks and Eighteen Streams + Hefang Street. Three-Day Cultural Tour Add Zhejiang Provincial Museum (Wulin Branch to see Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains), China Academy of Art Xiangshan Campus (architectural art check-in), and Xixi Wetland (If You Are the One filming location). VI. Practical Tips Avoid crowds: Weekends and holidays are extremely crowded. It is recommended to arrive at the scenic area before 7 am or choose to travel on working days. Ticket reservation: Lingyin Temple and Leifeng Pagoda need to be booked in advance on the official WeChat account; West Lake is free, and some attractions charge separate fees. Weather preparation: Hangzhou is rainy, so bring a folding umbrella; it is hot and humid in summer, so pay attention to sun protection and mosquito repellent. Photography suggestions: Take photos of the reflection of Leifeng Pagoda in Longqiao Park, and overlook the panoramic view of West Lake from Baoshi Hill at sunrise. Eco-friendly travel: West Lake is a World Cultural Heritage site. Please do not litter and protect the ecological environment. Conclusion The beauty of Hangzhou's West Lake lies in the different charms of the sunny lake, the rainy lake, and the night lake, and even more so in the thousand-year-old precipitation of stories at every step. Slow down, brew a pot of Longjing tea, listen to a Yue opera, and perhaps you too will become a poetic touch in this ink painting scroll.