I've been to East Lake three times and finally figured out how to enjoy it properly.

I. Core Activities and Must-Visit Spots 1. Exploring Stone Quarry Wonders by Covered Boat East Lake was originally a Han Dynasty stone quarry. The highlight is taking a boat through waterways between steep cliffs. Recommended departure from Hanbi Pavilion Pier, one-way trip takes about 20 minutes, boat fare is CNY 40/person (or charter a boat for CNY 200/4 people). ◦ Taogong Cave: A vertical shaft cave that fits just one boat. Looking up, you can see 100-meter knife-cut cliff walls. When the boat reaches the "Thread of Sky" at the top of the cave, the changing light creates a magical atmosphere. ◦ Immortal Peach Cave: A natural stone gate shaped like a celestial peach with an inscription on the rock wall: "Cave five hundred feet deep with no bottom, peach blossoms once every three thousand years." After disembarking, you can look down at the emerald-like reflections on the lake surface. ◦ Horn Cave: Named for its horn-like shape, it has unique echo effects. The boatman's paddle sounds reverberate inside the cave, adding to the mysterious atmosphere. 2. Garden-Like Landscape Hiking Lakeside trails connect multiple historic sites. Recommended route: North Gate → Ruoji Garden → Lanyue Bridge → Tao Society → Xiachuan Bridge → Qin Bridge → Return. The entire journey takes about 2 hours and offers close-up views of inscriptions by famous scholars like Kang Youwei and Guo Moruo. Wenxia Pavilion at the mountaintop is an excellent spot for panoramic views. In spring, peach blossoms intertwine with willows, creating a scene like a Chinese ink painting. 3. Spring-Only Experiences ◦ Tea Picking: Tea gardens at the mountaintop offer tea-picking experiences where you can participate in the roasting process and take some home as a souvenir. ◦ Fireside Tea Brewing: "Ruyi's Gift" courtyard offers tea brewing packages paired with handmade miniature landscapes and gourd paintings, perfect for relaxation. ◦ Intangible Cultural Heritage Performances: Immersive appreciation of Shaoxing Lotus Fall and Yue Opera performances to experience water town culture. II. Practical Information and Visiting Tips 1. Tickets and Opening Hours ◦ Full price ticket: CNY 50, students/seniors half price: CNY 25, local residents free on non-holidays. ◦ Opening hours: 8:00-17:00 (last entry at 16:50 in summer, 16:20 in winter), Raomen Mountain area open 8:30-15:30. 2. Transportation Guide ◦ Direct bus: Routes 1, 37, 57 to "East Lake Scenic Area" station, then walk about 800 meters. ◦ Driving: Parking lot available at the scenic area. Arrive early on holidays to avoid congestion. 3. Nearby Accommodation Recommendations ◦ Shaoxing East Lake · Fulin Courtyard: 620 meters walking distance to the scenic area, featuring Jiangnan courtyard style with white walls and black tiles, suitable for visitors seeking tranquility. ◦ Kaiyuan Manji Hotel: 3.2 kilometers driving distance from the scenic area, with complete facilities, suitable for families. 4. Seasonal and Safety Tips ◦ Best visiting seasons: Spring and autumn have pleasant weather, summer offers shade and lotus viewing, winter features mirror-like lake surfaces and charming snow scenes. ◦ Precautions: Stay seated and hold on while boating; if wearing Hanfu (traditional Chinese clothing), choose lightweight styles; the scenic area controls visitor capacity and may limit entry during holidays, so consider visiting during off-peak times. III. Cultural In-Depth Tour Suggestions 1. Historical and Cultural Interpretation The Tao Society in the scenic area commemorates Tao Junxuan, a late Qing Dynasty local worthy who led the construction of dikes around the lake, transforming the quarry into a garden. Xiachuan Bridge cliff retains Han Dynasty stone quarrying marks and Guo Moruo's inscriptions, witnessing thousands of years of craftsmanship wisdom. For a deeper understanding, you can book a guided tour service (about 2 hours, starting from CNY 198) to hear boatmen tell behind-the-scenes stories about "Journey to the West" Women's Country filming location. 2. Combo Ticket Discounts Purchase combo tickets like "Shen Garden + East Lake + Lanting" to save money. For example, a combo ticket for Shen Garden (daytime) + East Lake + Lanting + Da Yu Mausoleum costs CNY 145, suitable for in-depth tours. IV. Nearby Dining and Extended Experiences 1. Special Dining ◦ Inside East Lake Scenic Area: Try Shaoxing drunken shrimp and preserved vegetable braised pork at "Yangfan Fang" restaurant with lake and mountain views outside the window. ◦ Nearby recommendation: 10-minute walk to Manlv Hotel, where "Fangweng Yue Banquet" combines Shaoxing cuisine with creative dishes. Many ingredients are inspired by references in Lu You's poetry. 2. Side Trips ◦ Lu Xun's Hometown: About 6 kilometers from East Lake, experience Shaoxing scholar-official culture and taste yellow rice wine popsicles. ◦ City Moat Night Cruise: Take an evening boat ride to enjoy the light show, passing eight major scenic spots and experiencing the ancient city's night views.