A must-see when visiting Hangzhou during May Day! Avoid the crowds and enjoy the hidden treasures of West Lake

My dears, are you still worried about where to go for fun during the May Day holiday? Don’t go to the crowded popular attractions, come to Hangzhou West Lake and follow this niche route kept by Hangzhou locals to easily have a different and wonderful time. Best of all, it’s free! 🗺️ Detailed route planning [Airplane] First stop: Prince Bay Park (best to arrive before 8:00): Enter from the "Prince Bay West Gate". After entering the park, you can first enjoy the sea of ​​tulips (if it is still open during the May Day holiday), and then stroll to the late cherry blossom area. Take a leisurely stroll along the main road, admire the streams, meadows and various flower landscapes in the park, and feel the romantic atmosphere of spring. The tour takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. [Airplane] Second stop: Huagang Fish Viewing (enter from the south gate): After exiting Taiziwan Park, walk to the south gate of Huagang Fish Viewing. After entering, follow the route of Peony Garden→Peony Garden→Red Fish Pond. You can admire the gorgeous peony flowers in the peony garden; in the peony garden, if the flowering period is right, you can see the elegant peonies; in the red fish pond, you can feed koi and watch the fish playing. The whole tour takes 1-1.5 hours. [Airplane] The third stop: Drinking tea at Lakeside House (avoid the tea time of 12:00 - 12:30): After leaving Huagang Fish Viewing, go to Lakeside House Teahouse. Order a cup of Longjing tea and pair it with exquisite snacks. Sit by the West Lake, sip tea, and enjoy the cruise ship on the West Lake. Relax and enjoy the leisure time. The tea drinking time is 1-1.5 hours. [Airplane] Fourth stop: Yuhu Bay (Jihong Bridge): Start from Lakeside Residence and walk to Yuhu Bay. After arriving, stroll along the lakeside to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Jihong Bridge reflected on the lake surface. You can also find an angle by the lake to take ancient style photos. There are few people here and the scenery is beautiful. It takes 0.5-1 hour to visit. [Airplane] Stop 5: Turtle Pond: From Yuhu Bay, you can reach Turtle Pond on foot. Take a walk along the path beside the lake, admire the lake, the island and the surrounding greenery, and feel its quiet and peaceful atmosphere. Play for 0.5 - 1 hour. [Airplane]Sixth stop: Yu Qian Temple: Located on the shore of Wuguitan Lake, visit to learn about the life and deeds of Yu Qian, a famous official in the Ming Dynasty, and remember history. The visit lasts about 0.5 hours. [Airplane]Seventh stop: Maojiawu (Maojiabu): After leaving Yu Qian Temple, head to Maojiawu. In this small and wild wetland, you can stroll along the willow-lined path, admire the blooming February orchids, check in at the ancient bridge, and feel the tranquility of the tea garden. Play time: 1 - 1.5 hours. The whole journey is about 6 kilometers, and it takes 5-6 hours to walk slowly. The main feature is a leisurely and comfortable way to immerse yourself in the beauty of West Lake. 🚗 Transportation Guide Starting point: Prince Bay Park: Take bus No. 4 directly there, or just locate "Prince Bay West Gate" when taking a taxi. The final destination is Maojiabu: Bus No. 197 and No. 318 can return to the city. During the tour: walking or riding shared bicycles are very convenient, and you can also take a boat to Turtle Pond and Yuhu Bay, which maximizes the experience. If you drive during the May Day holiday, parking will be extremely difficult, so try not to choose this option. 💡 Intimate Tips Outfit: Wear Hanfu and cheongsam to Jihong Bridge to take ancient style photos; wear straw hat and bamboo bag to Maojiabu and Taiziwan Park, which is full of pastoral style. Other preparations: The sunshine on May Day will be strong, so please be prepared for sun protection. There is a lot of walking throughout the trip, so comfortable shoes are essential. There are a lot of mosquitoes where there is a lot of vegetation, so bring some mosquito repellent. Extra surprise: If you still have energy after shopping, take the West Lake Loop Bus to Jixian Pavilion or Yongjin Pond to watch a beautiful West Lake sunset and put an end to the perfect day.