Hidden Map of West Lake｜Avoid the Crowds and Unlock 7 Lesser-Known Fairyland One-Day Walking Routes

Tired of the crowds at Broken Bridge and the noise at Leifeng Pagoda? This secret West Lake route, cherished by locals, connects the wutong shadows of Beishan Street, the romantic corner of Xiling Bridge, and the wild waterways of Maojiabu, taking you through the Southern Song Dynasty’s legacy and the dreams of the Republic of China era, allowing you to fully appreciate the skeletal beauty of West Lake in one day. 🌇 First Stop: Beishan Street · Journey Through the Dreams of the Republic of China - **Wutong Secret Realm** Beishan Street stretches 2,600 meters, backed by Baoshi Mountain and facing West Lake to the south, known as the "museum without walls." In late autumn, golden wutong trees cover the street (best photo spot: in front of Xinxin Restaurant). Arrive before 7 a.m. to enjoy the empty street scene and feel the silence of the Republic-era architecture in the morning mist—the tender stories of Qiushui Villa and the European-style red brick arched windows of Baoqing Villa are all slices of time. - **Hidden Photo Spot** A small path on the east side of Jianpao Villa offers a panoramic view of West Lake, with mossy stone steps and iron window grilles forming a vintage frame. 🌉 Second Stop: Xiling Bridge · Encounter the Heartbeat Corner of West Lake - **Love Bus and Wutong Avenue** Walk west from Beishan Street to Xiling Bridge. The downhill "most beautiful corner" is a top check-in spot in Hangzhou. From 4 to 6 p.m., the sunset filters through the wutong leaves, casting golden light and shadows. Key experience: capture the moment when the WE1314 bus ("Favorite Bus") passes by, blending red and green bus shadows with the lake’s light, running every 4-6 minutes. - **Bonus** By the bridge, the Mucai Pavilion commemorates Su Xiaoxiao, with a view of the Gushan silhouette, where the spirit of literati hides in the landscape. 🏞 Third Stop: Quyuan Fenghe · The Illusion of Goldfish and Flower Seas - **Dreamy Goldfish Sphere** Avoid the crowds at the main scenic area by entering Quyuan Fenghe through Gate 3 and head straight to Lianyu 52 Degree Hotel: the courtyard’s colorful goldfish swim like a "living ink painting." Especially after rain, listening to the lotus sounds and watching the fish play in the woods feels like stepping into Monet’s garden. - **Historical Bonus** In the Southern Song Dynasty, this was an official wine workshop. "Quyuan Fenghe" was originally named "Quyuan," but a Kangxi emperor’s inscription mistakenly changed it to "Qu," adding an interesting story. 🌿 Fourth Stop: Maojiabu · Enter the Wild Heart of West Lake - **Water Forest Maze** Turn from Yang Gong Causeway into Shangxiang Ancient Path, where the dark green water walkway is filled with flying egrets. At Zuibailou, order a cup of pre-rain Longjing tea (about 60 yuan per person) by the window; outside, swaying reeds form a dynamic screen. Head west to the "Dark Green Towering" stone tablet, where the stone arch bridge and ancient pavilion reflect on the water, and after rain, the mist rising creates a fairyland. - **Local Experience** In early morning, you might meet villagers digging wild vegetables (local guide required). In April, you can find wild strawberries and malantou (a local wild vegetable). 🌸 Fifth Stop: Wuguitan · The Private Theater of Cherry Blossoms and Snow Willows - **Water Flower Corridor and Secret Pavilion** West Lake’s **highest density of cherry blossoms** (blooming late March), the snow willow path (white flowers like snow in April) leads to Xianhu Pavilion: sit quietly in the pavilion listening to fish jumping and water sounds, with a gentle breeze passing through the woods. **Family Bonus**: Safe shallow water for kids to play and picnic under magnolia trees. 🌉 Sixth Stop: Yuhu Bay · Yuan Dynasty Literati’s Lake View Residence - **Jihong Bridge · Ink Scroll** Cross Xijin Bridge (ten times quieter than Broken Bridge) and watch the rowboats pass through the bridge arch. The main attraction, Jihong Bridge: when it rains, the covered bridge’s reflection breaks into ripples, blending with the white walls and black tiles of Huangmie Lou’s water pavilion to form a "flowing Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains." **Photography Tip**: Use the "Xingtu-Black Gold" filter to enhance the aged feel of the architecture. 🌷 Final Stop: Taizi Bay · The Secret to Booking the Tulip Sea - **Off-Peak Flower Viewing Guide** Walk 10 minutes from Yuhu Bay to Taizi Bay West Gate. The tulip season (March-April) is crowded. **Tested Plan**: ✅ **Enter the park before 7 a.m. on weekdays—enjoy 70% of the tulip fields alone, with the "Pink Sunrise" variety in front of the windmill lawn being the most photogenic** ✅ After 5 p.m., descend from Jiuyue Pavilion (20 minutes to the top) and wait by the long bridge for the West Lake sunset. 🍜 Bonus: Local Food Stops - **Hubanju Teahouse** (Beishan Street): Longjing tea pastry + lotus root powder soup, free raincoat and bamboo hat for photos on rainy days - **Sizao’er Private Kitchen** (Maojiabu Pier): Fermented rice steamed buns with braised pork and yellow croaker rice cakes, about 80 yuan per person, authentic Hangzhou flavor > **Transportation Tips** > The whole route is about 10 kilometers on foot (5-6 hours), recommended to combine shared bikes and walking. > Around the lake, you can take the WE1314 bus (passing Gushan Road, Pinghu Qiuyue), or take a rowboat from Guozhuang Pier on the "Maojiabu-Wuguitan-Yuhu Bay" water secret route (about 300 yuan/boat, 2 hours). > Rainy season special: bring non-slip hole shoes and a transparent umbrella (25 yuan in the scenic area, 9.9 yuan if bought online in advance). The mist is most magical two hours after rain. Avoiding the crowds at West Lake reveals her poetic soul—spring cherry blossoms, autumn wutong, clear waves, and misty rain, every step awakens a fragment of a Song Dynasty painting.