A Fairytale Spring: A Family Outing to Prince Bay Park

[Hangzhou Prince Bay Park Flower Viewing Guide] Limited-time spring romance, a family's "Monet's Garden" adventure Time: March 16, 2025 | Location: Hangzhou Prince Bay Park Spring in Prince Bay Park is Hangzhou's best-kept romantic secret. This year's "Love Like Flowers" Tulip Show (March 7 - April 13) is in full swing, with 50% of the flowers already in bloom. The "Nebula Rhythm · Night West Lake" theme area on Xiaoyao Slope is as beautiful as a spilled palette, and the Big Dipper-shaped tulip floating island on Yulu Pond is making its stunning debut. Whether it's taking the kids out, capturing family portraits, or enjoying a picnic (don't bring a mat!), this is your one-stop shop for a memorable spring experience. Nanny-level itinerary: Avoid the crowds and capture empty scenes 1. Enter through the North Gate (entry only, no exit) and head straight to Xiaoyao Slope: The morning light is perfect for capturing the "Nebula Rhythm" tulip flower belt. Varieties like Honeybee Paradise and Purple Curie come with their own filters. 2. Yulu Pond Floating Island: The Big Dipper arrangement holds a hidden charm. Fewer crowds in the morning make for a clean background. 3. Rose Garden: Over 100 rare tulip varieties, including the double-petaled "Spring Rhyme" and "Pink Skirt," offer a fragrant experience. Even kids can become "fragrance connoisseurs." 4. Windmill Lawn: Capture the stunning sight of cherry blossoms (Somei Yoshino) and tulips together. Backlighting in the evening creates magical photos. Tickets & Reservations: Be quick! Free but requires reservation: Book one day in advance via the "Hangzhou West Lake Scenic Area" official WeChat account. One person can book up to three tickets, divided into five time slots (8:00 am - 5:00 pm). We recommend choosing 8:00 am - 10:00 am or 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm to avoid midday crowds. On-site reservations? Weekends are usually sold out, don't risk it! Transportation Guide: Go green Subway + shuttle: A new "Tulip Shuttle" has been added in March, running from Houchengmen subway station directly to Sudi South Entrance (Leifeng Pagoda), a 10-minute walk from the North Gate. Water bus: Take a boat from Qianwang Temple/Hangfan Pier to Huagang Pier (15 CNY/person, 5 CNY for Hangzhou residents) to avoid traffic jams on Nanshan Road. Driving is discouraged: On weekends, the scenic area has odd-even license plate restrictions, and parking lots are closed. Still want to drive? Be prepared to circle for three hours to find a parking space. Problem Solutions 1. Restroom lines: There are three permanent restrooms in the park + temporary restrooms in the east and west. The one east of the windmill on Xiaoyao Slope has the shortest lines. 2. Fussy children: Bring a lightweight stroller (lots of stone paths) and plenty of snacks. There are no shops in the park! 3. Crowds: Visit on a working day morning or a rainy day for half the crowds. Must-read reminders Prohibited items: Drones, tents, pets. Security is strict! What to wear: Non-slip shoes! The lawn can be slippery after rain. The temperature difference between morning and evening is significant, so a light down jacket + sweatshirt is most practical. Respect the flowers: Don't step on the flower fields! It's embarrassing for the whole family when the staff yells… Best photo spots Next to the hand-holding statues: The contrast of tulips and classical sculptures. Behind the small chapel: Cherry blossoms in the foreground, a guaranteed way to collect likes on social media. Final thoughts Half of Prince Bay Park's beauty lies in the flowers, the other half in taking it slow. Escape the anxiety of chasing online hotspots, count flower petals with your kids, and bask in the sun with the elderly. This is the true essence of a spring outing. After all, flowers bloom every year, but time spent together as a family is the most precious treasure. (Photo: Real shots of the tulip floating island and Xiaoyao Slope flower sea in Prince Bay Park)