Hangzhou West Lake Yagquan Villa: A Secluded Retreat Amidst Mountains and Waters
| A Secluded Retreat Amidst Mountains and Waters. Yagquan Villa is located in the heart of the Hangzhou West Lake Scenic Area, backed by the Five Old Peaks to the north, Qinglong Mountain to the south, and Hupao Back Mountain to the west, with a view of West Lake to the east. It is surrounded by the Temple of Koryo, Santai Yunshe, Yuhubo Bay and other top attractions of West Lake. The overall design captures the essence of West Lake culture, blending contemporary Chinese minimalist style with white walls and black tiles, winding paths, pavilions, flowers, trees, and courtyard-style architecture that offers a different view at every turn, resembling a private Jiangnan garden.
Transportation Guide
- From the airport: Take the airport bus Pinghai Line from Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport to Pinghai Road Yuewang Road Intersection Station, then transfer to a bus or taxi to the villa, which takes about 1.5 hours. A direct taxi ride takes about 40 minutes and costs CNY100–120.
- From the high-speed rail station: Take subway Line 4 from Hangzhou East Station to Shuicheng Bridge Station, then take a taxi from Exit B, which takes about 1 hour. A taxi ride takes about 30 minutes and costs CNY50–60.
First Impression
Stepping into the villa, the elegance of a Jiangnan garden comes to your face, with white walls, black tiles, and winding paths blending with the surrounding natural landscape. The front desk service is attentive, the check-in is quick, and the villa's facilities and services are introduced in detail.
Room Review
The room decoration is in a new Chinese style, with wooden furniture and soft lighting, which is warm and elegant. The bedding is comfortable, and the turndown service also prepares snacks. Open the window to see the green plants in the courtyard or the rolling mountains, which is refreshing. The bathroom facilities are high-end, and the toiletries provided have an elegant fragrance. Taking a bath can eliminate all fatigue.
Culinary Feast
- Breakfast: The breakfast is rich in variety, with Western-style bread, bacon, and eggs, as well as Chinese-style steamed buns, fried bread sticks, and porridge. The signature Pian Er Chuan noodles are chewy, the soup is delicious, and the combination of bamboo shoots and pickled vegetables is a must.
- Main meals: The Chinese restaurant specializes in Hangzhou cuisine. The signature dish, Longjing Shrimp, features fresh and tender shrimp with the fragrance of Longjing tea. The beggar's chicken has a golden and crispy skin, and the chicken is tender, juicy, and fragrant. The villa also launches special dishes according to the season, which are cooked with fresh seasonal ingredients and are worth a try.
Nearby Attractions
- West Lake: About 3 km from the villa, you can take a taxi or bus. Stroll along Su Causeway, watch the peach blossoms and green willows, and enjoy the lake and mountain scenery. Take a boat trip to experience the beauty of West Lake up close, and you can also climb the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon to see the classic scenery.
- Longjing Village: Within walking or cycling distance from the villa, this is the core production area of Longjing tea. Sit down in a teahouse in the village, taste an authentic cup of Longjing tea, listen to the tea farmers talk about the picking and frying process of tea, and experience tea culture.
- Jiuxi Yanshu: Adjacent to the villa, you can reach it on foot. Stroll along the stream, watch the stream flowing, the trees are lush, and the maple leaves are like fire in autumn, like a fairy tale world.
Villa Leisure Time
Take a nap on the rocking chair in the villa courtyard in the afternoon and bask in the sun. If you like fitness, you can go to the gym, which is fully equipped. In the evening, swim in the outdoor swimming pool and enjoy the afterglow of the sunset. In the evening, participate in the tea art activities organized by the villa, learn tea making skills, and taste the tea fragrance.
Precautions
- Book villa and attraction tickets in advance during the peak tourist season to avoid delaying your trip.
- There are many mosquitoes in Hangzhou in summer, so bring mosquito repellent. Take care of the environment when playing and keep the scenic area and villa clean.