To roughly explore West Lake it generally takes about 2 days. Although the true beauty of West Lake requires time to savor if you are pressed for time we have also arranged a limited-time itinerary that you can choose d on your personal circumstances.

West Lake Classic 1-Day Tour

If you are fond of West Lake but have limited time, primarily walking, and can only spare a day for it, we recommend the beginner-level West Lake Loop Route, where you can unlock all ten scenic spots of West Lake in one go.

Tour of the Ten Scenes of West Lake

Method: Walking/Cycling + Boat Ride
Duration: Approximately 6 hours
Route: Duanqiao Canxue—Baidi—Ping Hu Qiu Yue—Xiling Seal Art Society—Quyuan Fenghe—Sudi (with a distant view of "Double Peaks Piercing the Clouds" and "Three Pools Mirroring the Moon")—Viewing Fish at Flower Pond—Leifeng Pagoda in the Sunset (climb Leifeng Pagoda, or if not, proceed directly to Jingci Temple to enjoy the view)—Evening Bell at Nanping Hill (Jingci Temple)—Chang Qiao—Orioles Singing in the Willows—Jixian Pavilion

If you want to visit Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, you need to take a round-trip boat near Hua Gang Guan Yu (the entrance of Sudi).

Changqiao (Long Bridge)

"Lonely Mountain is not lonely, Broken Bridge is not broken, Long Bridge is not long."

Like the Broken Bridge, the Long Bridge is also a bridge of love. Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai bid farewell here, seeing each other off repeatedly, a total of eighteen times. (The story of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai is a tragic love tale from ancient China, telling of two young lovers who, despite enduring many hardships, are separated by fate and transform into butterflies in death, symbolizing eternal unity.) Though the bridge is not long, the emotions it carries are profound, hence the name "Long Bridge." Today, the Long Bridge boasts a unique design and is an excellent spot for a close-up view of Leifeng Pagoda.

Jixian Pavilion

It is said that West Lake has over three hundred pavilions, among which the Jixian Pavilion is the most famous.

It is located opposite the "Late Fragrance" stone tablet at the First Park of West Lake, standing independently above the lake. It is listed as one of the Eighteen Scenic Spots of West Lake from the Qing Dynasty, known as "Tingwan Archery." Today, it frequently appears in the works of photography enthusiasts.

Leisurely Eight Scenes Around the Lake

Of course, if you find the above route too time-consuming, we have also prepared a Leisurely Tour of the Eight Scenes of West Lake for you. Although you will miss the "Evening Bell at Nanping Hill" and "Orioles Singing in the Willows," the overall experience will be less tiring, making it more suitable for those who want to enjoy a comfortable outing.

Method: Boat ride + walking
Duration: Approximately 4 hours
Route: First Park Pier — Three Pools Mirroring the Moon — Distant view of "Leifeng Pagoda in the Sunset" — Viewing Fish at Flower Pond — Spring Dawn at Su Causeway (distant view of "Twin Peaks Piercing the Clouds") — Breeze-ruffled Lotus at Quyuan Garden — Solitary Hill — Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake — Bai Causeway — Melting Snow at Broken Bridge

West Lake In-Depth Tour

If you have ample time and wish to take it slow, we recommend dividing West Lake into three routes: the Southern Route, the Northern Route, and the Western Route. Each route has its own unique charm and is worth spending half a day to a full day exploring. Take your time, pause along the way, and enjoy the scenery that many might easily overlook.

South Line

If two words were to summarize the South Line of West Lake, they would be modernity and leisure. As a classic in-depth tour route of West Lake, this path covers four of the Ten Scenes of West Lake (Leifeng Pagoda, Jingci Temple, Prince Bay, and Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor), though it also tends to attract the most tourists.

Route: Hubin Park (Jixian Pavilion) - Liu Lang Wen Ying - King Qian's Temple - Hangzhou West Lake Museum - Long Bridge - Leifeng Pagoda at Sunset (Leifeng Pagoda) - Evening Bell at Nanping Hill (Jingci Temple) - Zhang Taiyan Memorial Hall - Prince Bay Park - Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor

In addition to the four most popular scenic spots around West Lake, this route will also pass by the Qianwang Temple, the Hangzhou West Lake Museum, the Long Bridge, the Zhang Taiyan Memorial Hall, and the Prince Bay Park.

Qianwang Temple

The Qianwang Temple, originally established during the Xining era of the Northern Song Dynasty, was built by later generations to commemorate the achievements of King Qian of the Wuyue Kingdom. In the early Song Dynasty, it was initially named "Biaozhong Guan," and from the Qing Dynasty onwards, it has been referred to as the "Qianwang Temple."

This place is imbued with profound historical and cultural significance, and is ranked fifth among the "New Ten Scenes of West Lake" with the title "Qian's Ancestral Temple Honoring Loyalty." Every year from February to March, when the plum blossoms are in full bloom, don't forget to take a detour to Qianwang Temple for a visit while strolling along the path of Liulang Wenying.

Hangzhou West Lake Museum

Nestled by the West Lake and adjacent to the Qianwang Temple, the Hangzhou West Lake Museum is China's first thematic museum dedicated to lakes. The overall architectural style is simple and modern, with approximately three-quarters of the structure hidden underground, seamlessly blending with the surrounding lake and mountain scenery, making it exceptionally beautiful.

The museum provides a detailed account of the past and present of West Lake, so friends who are interested in learning more should definitely not miss it.

Zhang Taiyan Memorial Hall

Mr. Zhang Taiyan was a democratic revolutionary and thinker during the late Qing and early Republic of China periods, and can be considered a distinguished scholar of his time. The entire memorial hall evokes the ambiance of a Jiangnan garden, with its black tiles and white walls. Inside, the main exhibits showcase Mr. Zhang's lifelong achievements in Chinese classical studies and the cultural relics he collected.

Prince Bay Park

Located in the southwest corner of West Lake, Prince Bay Park is a romantic haven. The most beautiful time here is from late March to early April each year, when cherry blossoms bloom in the front and tulips flourish in the back. If you visit West Lake during this period, be sure to stop by here.

North Line

The northern route of West Lake leans towards a cultural and humanistic style. The autumn scenery here is at its most splendid, with rows of plane trees along Beishan Road creating an indescribable beauty during the season. This route passes by the famous Solitary Hill. Solitary Hill is not only a hub of West Lake culture but also a sacred site for literati and poets. Though small in size, it boasts a rich array of cultural landmarks, including one scenic spot (Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake), one society (Xiling Seal Engravers' Society), one causeway (Bai Causeway), and two museums (Zhejiang Provincial Museum and the Ancient Books Department of Zhejiang Provincial Library). If you are fond of cultural landscapes, be sure to spend at least half a day exploring Solitary Hill in depth.

Route: Ge Hill — Melting Snow at Broken Bridge — Bai Causeway — Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake — Zhejiang Provincial Museum — Zhongshan Park — Xiling Seal Engravers' Society — Yue Fei Temple

Geling

Among the famous Ten Scenes of the Qiantang River, one is called "Morning Sun at Ge Ridge," which refers to this very place. This is a renowned Taoist mountain, said to be named after the Eastern Jin Dynasty Taoist Ge Hong, who built a hut here to practice Taoism and refine elixirs.

This is the best spot to watch the sunrise over West Lake. If you can get up early in the morning, consider making this your first stop when exploring the northern route of West Lake.

Zhejiang Provincial Museum

The Zhejiang Provincial Museum has two venues: the Wulin Pavilion and the Gushan Pavilion, with the former boasting a more extensive collection. However, the Gushan Pavilion, located by the West Lake, exudes a more charming atmosphere. With its picturesque scenery and Jiangnan-style buildings and corridors, it forms a unique layout of "a museum within a garden, a garden within a museum," making it a prime spot for photography and social media check-ins.

Additionally, the museum houses over 100,000 cultural relics, including the treasure of the museum—the Gilded Silver Ashoka Pagoda from the Five Dynasties period, which is definitely worth seeing.

Opening Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:30 PM, closed on Mondays)

Zhongshan Park

Compared to most parks in Hangzhou, Zhongshan Park stands out as quite unique. It gained fame as early as the Tang Dynasty and was later part of the imperial garden during the Qing Dynasty. In 1927, it was renamed in honor of Sun Yat-sen.

What is particularly special is the pair of white marble lions at the entrance, which are relics from the Ming Dynasty and hold significant cultural value. The lions face the Fudan Guanghua Archway, a quiet and serene spot with few people, making it an excellent place for photography.

Xiling Seal Engravers' Society

Founded in 1904, the Xiling Seal Art Society is the most long-standing and accomplished art group dedicated to the study of epigraphy and seal carving, renowned as the "Number One Society in the World."

This place was founded by Ding Ren, Wang Ti, Ye Ming, and Wu Yin, and later joined by renowned figures such as Li Shutong, Huang Binhong, and Feng Zikai, who further elevated its prominence, making it a spiritual home in the hearts of countless people.

Located within a classical garden, the site is adorned with stone carvings, upturned eaves, and scenic views at every turn, exuding a rich cultural ambiance and offering particularly picturesque scenes.

Western Front

The West Line is relatively niche and tranquil. Compared to other sections, there are more attractions here, and the scenery is even more beautiful. Fewer tourists visit this area, mainly locals from Hangzhou who come for a leisurely stroll on weekends. The highlights of the West Line are Yuhu Bay and Maojiabu, where the sparse crowds and picturesque views make it well worth spending some time exploring.

Route: Quyuan Garden (Lotus in the Breeze) — Guo's Villa — Maojiabu — Longhong Stream — Wuguitan — Yuhu Bay — Manlongguiyu Park

If you're with children, after leaving Manlong Guiyu Park, you can visit the nearby Hangzhou Zoo (900m). If you enjoy hiking and scenic views, you can head to Longjing Mountain or Shili Langdang (approximately 4.4km). If you prefer to see mountains, water, and streams, you can explore Jiuxi Yanshu (approximately 4.3km).

Guozhuang

Although it has long been said that "Suzhou gardens are the finest under heaven," Hangzhou's gardens are equally impressive. Known as the "First Garden of West Lake," Guo Zhuang is one of the representative gardens of Hangzhou and is highly recommended by many as a perfect spot for tea and enjoying the view of West Lake.

Guo Zhuang is divided into two parts: "Jingxinju" (Tranquil Residence) and "Yijing Tiankai" (A Mirror to the Open Sky), featuring a layout of a front residence and a rear garden, exuding the charm of the Jiangnan region with its small bridges and flowing water.

Admission: 10 yuan/person; indoor tea seats 20 yuan/person; tea seats by the lake and on the waterfront platform range from 30 to 100 yuan, with the "Shangxin Yuemu Pavilion" on the rockery being the best spot for viewing, priced at 100 yuan/person. Opening Hours: 8:00-17:00

Maojiabu

Compared to the many classic attractions of West Lake, the Maojiabu Scenic Area can be considered relatively niche. Though it appears unadorned, it boasts a pure, natural charm and local culture. Even its name originates from the Ming and Qing dynasties, when the village's dock was covered with thatch, giving it a wild and rustic appeal.

The Maojiabu Scenic Area is divided into "Upper Maojiabu" and "Lower Maojiabu." The former is popular for its restaurants and farm stays, while the latter is home to the famous former residence of Du Jinsheng. With its beautiful scenery and tranquil environment, it has become a favored destination for Hangzhou residents during holidays.

The entire scenic area is quite large, making it difficult to recommend a fixed route for exploration. It is suggested to wander leisurely, embracing the unexpected, and enjoy the serene atmosphere in solitude.

Its convenient transportation also makes it a preferred spot for local Hangzhou families to visit during holidays.

Yuhu Bay

Although the bus stop at the west gate of Huagang Guanyu is named "Yuhu Bay," it is a place that few people are generally aware of. In fact, the Yuhu Bay scenic area can be considered a leisurely and carefree garden retreat. Though not large in size, it is nestled by the mountains and waters, with flowers and plants in constant bloom, offering a sense of wild charm within the city.