A complete guide to traveling to West Lake in Hangzhou: attractions, routes, and food all in one place!

### **West Lake Travel Guide: Enjoy a Paradise on Earth** **1. Introduction to West Lake** Located in the center of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, West Lake is one of the first batch of national key scenic spots and world cultural heritage sites in China. Its basic structure is "one mountain, two towers, three islands, three embankments and five lakes". It is beautiful in all four seasons, especially in spring dawn, summer lotus, autumn moon and winter snow. --- **2. Best time to visit** - **Spring and Autumn (March-May, September-November)**: The climate is pleasant, with peach and willow trees in spring and osmanthus fragrance in autumn. - **Summer (June-August)**: Lotus flowers are in full bloom, but it is hot, so it is recommended to visit in the early morning or evening. - **Winter (December-February)**: After the snow, the West Lake looks like an ink painting, and there are fewer tourists. **Avoid holidays**: There will be a huge flow of people during holidays such as National Day and May Day, so it is recommended to travel during off-peak hours. --- **3. Recommended must-see attractions** 1. **Ten Scenic Spots of West Lake (Classic Edition)** - **Su Di Chun Xiao**: The embankment built under the supervision of Su Shi, with peach and willow trees on both sides in spring. - **Broken Bridge and Residual Snow**: The legendary site of White Snake, with stunning snow scenery in winter. - **Leifeng Pagoda Sunset**: At dusk, Leifeng Pagoda and the setting sun complement each other. - **Three Pools Mirroring the Moon**: Three stone towers in the lake, the location where the design of the RMB 1 yuan banknote was taken. - **Pinghu Autumn Moon**: the best place to enjoy the moon during the Mid-Autumn Festival. 2. **New Ten Scenic Spots of West Lake (Supplementary Recommendation)** - **Yunqi Bamboo Trail**: The bamboo forest is quiet and suitable for hiking. - **Dragon Well Tea**: Taste Longjing tea and experience tea culture. 3. **Other highlights** - **Gushan**: A gathering place for West Lake culture, with Xiling Seal Society and Zhejiang Museum. - **Flower Harbor Fish Viewing**: The Red Fish Pond and Peony Garden are suitable for family outings. - **Yanggong Dike**: Few people and beautiful scenery, suitable for cycling or walking. --- **IV. Tour route suggestions** **One-day Highlights Tour**: Snow on Broken Bridge → Bai Causeway → Autumn Moon over Calm Lake → Solitary Hill → Lotus in Winding Courtyard → Su Causeway → Fish Viewing at Flower Harbor → Leifeng Pagoda → Moon Mirroring in the Three Pools (by boat) → Night view of Hubin Road. **Two-day in-depth tour**: - **Day 1**: North Route (Broken Bridge, Baidi Causeway, Solitary Hill, Yue Temple) + Night Tour of the Lakeside. - **Day 2**: South Route (Leifeng Pagoda, Jingci Temple, Orioles Singing in the Willow Waves) + Longjing Village or Lingyin Temple. --- **V. Transportation** 1. **Tour around the lake** - **Walking/cycling**: There are shared bicycles along the West Lake, and motor vehicles are prohibited on Su Causeway and Bai Causeway. - **Electric car**: Around the lake, about 40 yuan/person, hop on and off as you like. - **Cruise**: Ordinary boat 55 yuan (including the ticket for Three Pools Mirroring the Moon), rowing boat 150-300 yuan/hour (can share a boat). 2. Public transportation - Metro Line 1 goes directly to Longxiang Bridge Station to the lakeside; Bus No. 7, No. 27 and other routes can reach various scenic spots in West Lake. --- **6. Food Recommendations** 1. **Must-try Hangzhou cuisine** - West Lake vinegar fish, Dongpo pork, Longjing shrimp, beggar's chicken. - Recommended restaurants: Louwailou (Gushan Branch), Waipojia, and Zhiweiguan. 2. Snacks - Scallion-wrapped cypress, Dingsheng cake, and cat ears (Hefang Street or Southern Song Imperial Street). --- **VII. Accommodation Recommendations** - **Hubin Business District**: convenient transportation, suitable for short-term travel (such as Grand Hyatt Hangzhou). - **West side of West Lake (Yanggong Dike, Maojiabu)**: The environment is quiet and suitable for vacation (such as West Lake State Guesthouse). - **Youth Hostel/B&B**: The areas around Siyanjing and Manjuelong have high cost-effectiveness. --- **VIII. Notes** 1. The West Lake Scenic Area is open to the public free of charge, but Leifeng Pagoda (40 yuan), Lingyin Temple (45 yuan + 30 yuan incense and flower coupons) and other places are charged separately. 2. Protect against the sun and mosquitoes in summer and keep warm in winter. 3. Respect culture: Do not make loud noises or step on the grass in the temple. --- **9. Extended Tours in the Surrounding Areas** - **Lingyin Temple & Feilai Peak**: Famous Buddhist temples, the stone sculptures are worth seeing. - **Xixi Wetland**: ecological wetland, available for boat tour (about 30 minutes drive from West Lake). - **Qiandao Lake**: If you have enough time, you can arrange a 2-day tour (1.5 hours drive from Hangzhou). --- **The beauty of West Lake lies in its slow appreciation. ** Whether you are boating on the lake or strolling along the long embankment, you can feel the poetic sentiment of "If I were to compare the West Lake to Xi Shi, light makeup or heavy makeup would always be suitable." Have a nice trip!