West Lake Scenic Area Travel Guide

💦West Lake is located in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. It is a world cultural heritage site, known for its beautiful scenery and profound historical and cultural heritage. Whether you are visiting for the first time or returning, West Lake can bring you a different experience. The following is a detailed travel guide to the West Lake Scenic Area to help you better plan your trip 🗺️ ❤️Address: West Lake Scenic Area, West Lake District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province ❤️Opening Hours: Open all day (some attractions have limited opening hours) ❤️Ticket Price💦 ❣️West Lake Scenic Area itself does not charge admission fees, but some attractions require separate tickets, such as Lingyin Temple and Leifeng Pagoda. ❣️Lingyin Temple: CNY 45 🎫 ❣️Leifeng Pagoda: CNY 40 🎟️ ❣️Yue Temple: CNY 25 🎟️ 🫧Other attractions such as Three Pools Mirroring the Moon and Fish Viewing at Flower Harbor are free. ❤️Best Time to Visit🍃 🌲Spring (March-May): Peach blossoms, cherry blossoms, and azaleas are in full bloom, and the climate is pleasant. 🌿Summer (June-August): Lotus flowers are in full bloom, but the weather is hot. 🍁Autumn (September-November): Osmanthus flowers are fragrant, and the autumn is crisp and refreshing. ❄️Winter (December-February): The snow scene is beautiful, but the temperature is low💦 🫧Suggested visit time: 1-2 days💨 🚨Public Transportation⛵️ 🚍Bus: There are many bus lines in Hangzhou that go to the West Lake Scenic Area, such as routes 7, 27, 51, and 52, which can reach various attractions around West Lake. 🚝Subway: Take Hangzhou Subway Line 1 to Longxiangqiao Station, and walk to the West Lake Hubin area. 🚖Taxi/Ride-hailing: Taxis and ride-hailing services are convenient in Hangzhou and can take you directly to the West Lake Scenic Area. 🚴Bicycle: There are several public bicycle rental points around West Lake, and cycling is an excellent way to visit West Lake. ❤️Classic One-Day Tour Route🍡🍡 ❣️Hubin No. 3 Park: Start from Hubin No. 3 Park, which is located on the east bank of West Lake. Here, you can enjoy a panoramic view of West Lake and it is an excellent place for taking pictures. ❣️Broken Bridge in Snow: Walk along Beishan Road to the Broken Bridge, which is where the legend of the White Snake and Xu Xian met. The scenery is especially beautiful after the snow in winter. ❣️Bai Causeway: After passing the Broken Bridge, stroll along Bai Causeway, with the scenery of West Lake on both sides, which is pleasant. ❣️Solitary Hill: At the end of Bai Causeway is Solitary Hill, where you can visit attractions such as Xiling Seal Art Society and Zhejiang Provincial Museum. ❣️Curved Yard and Lotus Pool: Return from Solitary Hill and continue to tour along the lake to Curved Yard and Lotus Pool, which is a good place to view lotus flowers. ❣️Su Causeway in Spring: Then visit Su Causeway. Su Causeway in Spring is one of the ten scenic spots of West Lake, and the scenery is especially charming in spring. ❣️Fish Viewing at Flower Harbor: At the end of Su Causeway is Fish Viewing at Flower Harbor, where you can see various fish and flowers. ❣️Leifeng Pagoda: Finally, visit Leifeng Pagoda. Climbing the pagoda, you can overlook the entire West Lake. 🏵️In-depth Two-Day Tour Route🫧 ❤️Day 1🫧 ❣️Morning: Hubin No. 3 Park, Broken Bridge in Snow, Bai Causeway ❣️Afternoon: Solitary Hill, Curved Yard and Lotus Pool, Su Causeway in Spring ❣️Evening: Night view of Hubin No. 3 Park ❤️Day 2🫧 ❣️Morning: Lingyin Temple (tickets need to be purchased in advance) ❣️Afternoon: Yue Temple, Three Pools Mirroring the Moon (boat ride required) ❣️Evening: Hubin No. 3 Park Music Fountain (starts at 19:00 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays) ❤️Precautions🍃 ❤️Purchase tickets in advance: Tickets for some attractions such as Lingyin Temple and Leifeng Pagoda need to be purchased in advance. It is recommended to purchase them online to avoid queuing on site. 🏵️Travel during off-peak hours: Try to avoid weekends and holidays, and choose to go on a working day to avoid peak crowds and enjoy a quieter tour environment. 🥋Dress comfortably: The West Lake Scenic Area is large, so it is recommended to wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and bring sunscreen and rain gear. 🛵Environmentally friendly travel: Please do not litter and keep the scenic area clean. There are trash cans in the scenic area, please put the trash in the trash cans. 🛵Pay attention to safety when riding: Cycling is an excellent way to visit West Lake, but please pay attention to safety and abide by traffic rules. 🍧Recommended Local Food🍤 🧁Lou Wai Lou: Located on the edge of West Lake, it offers authentic Hangzhou cuisine, such as West Lake Fish in Sweet and Sour Sauce and Dongpo Pork. 🧁Zhiweiguan: A time-honored Hangzhou restaurant, offering a variety of Hangzhou snacks, such as Xiaolongbao and Maoduo. 🧁Grandma's Home: A chain restaurant that offers affordable Hangzhou cuisine. 🧁Xin Bai Lu Restaurant: Offers authentic Hangzhou cuisine in an elegant setting at affordable prices. ❤️Recommended Accommodation ❣️West Lake State Guest House: Located on the shore of West Lake, it has an elegant environment and complete facilities, making it a high-end accommodation choice. ❣️Shangri-La Hotel Hangzhou: Located on the edge of West Lake, it offers a luxurious accommodation experience. ❣️Home Inn: There are several Home Inn hotels around West Lake, and the prices are relatively affordable. ❣️Youth Hostel: There are several youth hostels around West Lake, which are suitable for tourists with limited budgets. ❤️Summary🫧 🍃West Lake Scenic Area is a tourist destination that combines natural scenery and cultural landscape. Whether you are strolling along the lake or visiting various attractions, you can feel the unique charm of Hangzhou. I hope this guide can help you better plan your trip and enjoy an unforgettable trip to West Lake🫧