The Ultimate Guide to Slender West Lake: Everything You Need to Know!

Of the "thirty-six West Lakes under heaven," only Yangzhou's Slender West Lake stands out with its delicate and graceful charm. If you visit Yangzhou, don't miss Slender West Lake! This guide covers all the essential information for your visit. 1. Basic Information • Tickets: Purchase in advance on major travel platforms or the official Slender West Lake WeChat public account. Peak season (March–November): CNY100/person. Off-season (December–February): CNY60/person. Night tour tickets: CNY120/person. Plan your trip in advance and avoid weekends and holidays for a more enjoyable experience. • Opening Hours: Daytime: 6:00am–7:30pm. Night: 6:30pm–10:00pm. Note: Last entry for daytime tickets is 5:15pm. Exiting after 7:00pm requires a night tour ticket. Night tour tickets are valid for entry between 6:00pm and 9:00pm, with the latest exit at 9:30pm. The north gate is closed during night tours. 2. Transportation • By Air: Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport. Airport buses are available to the city center, where you can transfer to a bus or take a taxi to the scenic area. • By Train: Yangzhou Railway Station is closer to Slender West Lake. Take a taxi (approx. 20 mins) or bus routes You 1 or You 2 from the station. • Local Transportation: ◦ Bus: Several routes, including the tourist line and Route 30, are available, but they can be crowded. ◦ Taxi: Convenient, but traffic jams are possible during peak hours. ◦ Shared E-bikes: Yangzhou is a relatively small city. Shared e-bikes offer a flexible way to explore and enjoy the city views along the way. 3. Recommended Routes South Gate Entry - Classic Route • Long Causeway Spring Willows: Enter through the south gate and stroll along the Long Causeway, lined with willows and peach blossoms. It's especially enchanting in spring, like stepping into a poetic painting. • Xu Garden: A classic, elegant Jiangnan garden featuring structures like the Tingli Pavilion and the Spring Grass Pond Yin Pavilion. You can also see the iron cauldron, a relic from the Northern and Southern Dynasties used to suppress floods. • Little Golden Hill: Surrounded by water and shaded by trees, the hill offers scenic overlooks like the Wind Pavilion and Moon Viewing Pavilion. Enjoy panoramic views of Slender West Lake and appreciate the saying, "A mountain's beauty lies not in its height, but in its layers; water's charm lies not in its depth, but in its twists and turns." • Fishing Platform: Also known as the Blowing Terrace, this is a prime photo spot. Two circular moon gates frame the Five-Pavilion Bridge and White Pagoda, capturing "two scenes in one frame." • Five-Pavilion Bridge: The iconic landmark of Slender West Lake. The bridge has five pavilions and fifteen arches. On moonlit nights, each arch reflects the moon, creating a breathtaking spectacle. Bridge expert Mao Yisheng praised it as "the most beautiful bridge in China." • White Pagoda: Modeled after the White Pagoda in Beihai Park, Beijing. Its white reflection in the lake, contrasted with the surrounding greenery and blue water, exudes elegance. • Twenty-Four Bridge: Famous for the poem by Du Mu, "On a moonlit night by the Twenty-Four Bridge, where can I find a jade-like beauty playing the flute?" The 24-meter-long bridge has 24 steps and 24 railings, embodying poetry and romance. West Gate Entry - In-Depth Route • Xichun Terrace: Originally built by Emperor Qianlong to celebrate his mother's birthday. The grand terrace offers sweeping views of Slender West Lake. • Twenty-Four Bridge: Stroll along the lake to the Twenty-Four Bridge and experience its charm up close, with willows swaying by the water. • Stone Wall Flowing Springs: Featuring unique rock formations and the sound of flowing water, this area evokes a sense of being in a mountain forest. • Ten Thousand Flower Garden: A sea of flowers in every season, with tulips in spring, lotuses in summer, chrysanthemums in autumn, and wintersweet in winter. • Little Golden Hill: From the Ten Thousand Flower Garden, head to Little Golden Hill, enjoying the scenery along the way and appreciating the delicate beauty of Jiangnan gardens. • Five-Pavilion Bridge and White Pagoda: After visiting Little Golden Hill, visit the Five-Pavilion Bridge and White Pagoda to admire their unique charm from different perspectives. 4. Activities • Boat Tours: ◦ Hand-rowed Boat: CNY80/person. Enjoy a traditional experience with a boatwoman rowing and sharing stories about the history and culture of Slender West Lake, accompanied by Yangzhou folk songs. The tour lasts approx. 49 mins. ◦ Electric Boat: Faster, suitable for visitors with limited time. ◦ Duck Boat: Self-driven, accommodating 2–6 people, charged by the hour, ideal for families. • Sightseeing Bus: Available for touring the Ten Thousand Flower Garden, with boarding points at the north gate, under the Five-Pavilion Bridge, and at the top of the Twenty-Four Bridge steps. 5. Food Recommendations • Yangzhou Morning Tea: Fuchun Teahouse and Yechun Teahouse are time-honored establishments. Must-try items include crab roe soup dumplings, diced meat buns, emerald siu mai, and thousand-layer oil cakes, paired with a pot of Luyangchun tea for a perfect start to the day. • Huaiyang Cuisine: Try the lion's head meatballs, Wensi tofu, Yangzhou fried rice, and steamed white fish at Yangzhou Banquet or Quyuan Teahouse. The dishes feature fresh ingredients, meticulous preparation, and light, delicious flavors. • Local Snacks: Around Slender West Lake, you'll find snacks like lotus root starch balls, Huangqiao sesame cakes, and sweet-scented osmanthus lotus root, all delightfully sweet and fragrant. 6. Photo Spots • Fishing Platform: The perfect spot for capturing the Five-Pavilion Bridge and White Pagoda in one frame. • Five-Pavilion Bridge: A popular photo spot day and night, especially stunning when lit up at night. • Twenty-Four Bridge: Take elegant, classical-style photos on or by the bridge. • Lakeside Plum Grove (Spring): A sea of pink blossoms during plum blossom season makes for stunning photos. 7. Helpful Tips • Wear comfortable shoes, as the scenic area is large and walking can be tiring. • Bring snacks and water, as prices inside the scenic area are higher. • Stay safe during night tours, stick with the crowd, and keep your belongings secure.