It is located at No.1 Longjing Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, in the west direction of the center of Hangzhou City.
Basic Information
The West Lake is surrounded by mountains on three sides, covering an area of about 6.39 square kilometers, with a width of about 2.8 kilometers from east to west and a length of about 3.2 kilometers from north to south. The circumference around the lake is nearly 15 kilometers.
Main Attractions
Sudi Causeway in Spring Dawn
Introduction: It was built by Su Dongpo, a poet of the Northern Song Dynasty, when he was the governor of Hangzhou. He dredged the West Lake and used the excavated mud to construct it. Later generations named it Sudi Causeway in memory of his feat in managing the West Lake. The long causeway lies on the water surface, connecting the south mountain and the north mountain, adding a charming scenery line to the West Lake.
Tourist Advice: You can stroll on the causeway and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the lake and mountains on both sides. In spring, the peach blossoms along the way are in full bloom, and the scenery is extremely beautiful. The recommended visiting time is about 1 2 hours.
Lotus in the Breeze at Crooked Courtyard
Introduction: With the theme of viewing lotus in summer, there are hundreds of varieties of lotus cultivated in the large and small lotus ponds in the park, as well as patches of red lotus, white lotus, double-deck lotus, sprinkled golden lotus, twin lotus, etc. The lotus leaves are lush and the lotus flowers are enchanting.
Tourist Advice: You can visit in summer to enjoy the grand scene of a large number of lotus flowers in full bloom. You can also take a sculling boat to shuttle among them, which has a unique charm. The visiting time is about 1 1.5 hours.
Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake
Introduction: Located at the west end of Bai Causeway and at the southern foot of Gushan Mountain, it is adjacent to the outer West Lake. Standing by the lake and looking at the autumn moon from the building, you can feel the vastness of the West Lake in tranquility and wash away your irritable mood. It is the best place to enjoy the moon in the West Lake in Hangzhou.
Tourist Advice: It is suitable to visit on an autumn night to enjoy the scenery of the calm lake surface of the West Lake reflecting the bright moonlight. The visiting time is about 0.5 1 hour.
Melting Snow at Broken Bridge
Introduction: It got its name because in the Tang Dynasty, there was a door on the bridge with eaves. When it snowed, the snow in the middle section was on the door eaves, and only the two ends of the bridge had snow. From a distance, the bridge looked like it was broken. It is the most famous bridge in the West Lake, and the story of Xu Xian and the White Snake Lady adds a romantic flavor to the Broken Bridge.
Tourist Advice: It is best to visit after the first snow in winter, but you can also visit at ordinary times to feel its unique charm. The visiting time is about 0.5 1 hour.
Viewing Fish at Flower Pond
Introduction: The whole park is divided into five scenic areas: Red Fish Pond, Peony Garden, Flower Pond, Large Lawn, and Dense Forest Land. The Red Fish Pond is located in the south-central part of the park and is the central area for sightseeing in the whole park. The bank of the pond is winding and natural, and there is an island made of earth in the middle of the pond. There is a zigzag bridge on the pond. Leaning on the bridge railing and looking down, thousands of golden-scale red fish swim in groups and play in the water.
Tourist Advice: You can prepare some fish food to feed the koi and interact with the fish. The visiting time is about 1 1.5 hours.
Tour Route Planning
One-day Tour Route
Morning: Start from the Third Lakeside Park, walk along the Lakeside Road to enjoy the lake scenery of the West Lake, then visit Melting Snow at Broken Bridge, and then walk to Bai Causeway to enjoy Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake.
Noon: Have a meal in a restaurant near Bai Causeway and taste Hangzhou’s special cuisines such as West Lake Vinegar Fish and Longjing Shrimp.
Afternoon: From Bai Causeway, go to Sudi Causeway, stroll on Sudi Causeway to experience the scenery of Sudi Causeway in Spring Dawn, and then visit Viewing Fish at Flower Pond.
Evening: Have a meal in the Yanggong Causeway area near Viewing Fish at Flower Pond. After dinner, you can take a walk on Yanggong Causeway and enjoy the night view of the West Lake.
Two-day Tour Route
First Day
Morning: Enter from Liulang Wenying Park, enjoy the weeping willows and various flowers and plants by the West Lake, and then take a boat to Santan Yinyue Island to visit Santan Yinyue.
Noon: Have a meal on the island or in a nearby restaurant after taking the boat back to the shore.
Afternoon: Visit Leifeng Pagoda. You can climb the pagoda to overlook the panoramic view of the West Lake and understand the historical culture and legend of Leifeng Pagoda.
Evening: Have a meal on Nan Shan Road near Leifeng Pagoda. There are many special restaurants and bars on Nan Shan Road where you can enjoy the nightlife in Hangzhou.
Second Day
Morning: Go to Lotus in the Breeze at Crooked Courtyard to view lotus flowers or enjoy the scenery while drinking tea around.
Noon: Have a meal in a restaurant near Lotus in the Breeze at Crooked Courtyard.
Afternoon: Visit Maojiabu. This is a relatively original ecological area around the West Lake, with landscapes such as wetlands and tea gardens, where you can experience the rural scenery of Hangzhou.
Transportation Guide
External Transportation
Airplane
You can arrive at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, and then take the airport bus to the urban area, and then transfer to the subway or bus to reach the West Lake scenic area.
Train
Both Hangzhou Station and Hangzhou East Station have convenient subways or buses to the West Lake scenic area. Hangzhou Station is relatively closer to the West Lake.
Internal Transportation
Bus
There are many bus lines that can reach various scenic spots around the West Lake, such as Line 7, Line 27, Line 51, Line 52, etc.
Subway
You can take Metro Line 1 to Longxiangqiao Station, and after getting out of the station, you can walk to the Lakeside area; taking Metro Line 2 to Fengqi Road Station can conveniently reach the business circle around the West Lake, etc.
Sightseeing Battery Car
There is a sightseeing battery car running around the West Lake. It stops when you wave, and you can choose to take a section or the whole journey according to your needs, which is convenient for visiting various scenic spots.
Boat
You can take a boat at many docks such as Lakeside, Zhongshan Park, Huagang, and Yuemiao to go to the scenic spots in the lake like Santan Yinyue or take a tour along the lake.
Food Recommendations
Special Dishes
West Lake Vinegar Fish
Select West Lake grass carp. After starving and raising it, blanch it with boiling water, and then add seasonings such as sugar and vinegar to cook. The fish meat is tender and delicious, with a crab flavor, sweet and sour.
Longjing Shrimp
Cook shrimps with the buds of Longjing tea. The shrimps are white, tender and fresh, and the tea leaves are green and fragrant, with a unique taste.
Dongpo Pork
It is said to be created by Su Dongpo. It has a thin skin and tender meat, with a bright red color, rich sauce, crispy but not broken in shape, fragrant and glutinous but not greasy.
Special Snacks
Dingsheng Cake
Usually made by steaming glutinous rice flour, bean paste filling, etc. It looks like a small pillow, with a soft and glutinous taste, sweet but not greasy.
Congbao Gui
Wrap fried dough sticks and scallions in a pancake and press and bake it on a flat pan until golden brown. Serve with sweet sauce or chili sauce. It tastes crispy and delicious.
Accommodation Suggestions
Luxury Type
Hangzhou West Lake State Guesthouse
Located in the core scenic area of the West Lake, with a beautiful environment, deep courtyards, an elegant architectural style, high-end and complete internal facilities, and first-class service. You can fully enjoy the beautiful scenery of the West Lake.
High-end Type
Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake
It combines the architectural style of Jiangnan gardens with modern elements, has a beautiful garden landscape and comfortable guest rooms, and the surrounding supporting facilities are complete.
Economy Type
Hanting Hotel (Hangzhou West Lake Lakeside Store)
It has a high cost performance and a convenient location, close to the Lakeside business district and the West Lake scenic area. The surrounding transportation, catering, etc. are very convenient.
Precautions
There are a large number of tourists in the West Lake scenic area, especially during holidays and peak tourist seasons. Pay attention to keeping your personal belongings safe and book accommodation and transportation in advance.
When visiting in summer, pay attention to sun protection measures. You can bring an umbrella, sunscreen, etc.; when visiting in winter, pay attention to keeping warm.
When playing by the lake, pay attention to safety and abide by the relevant regulations of the scenic area. Do not go into the water casually.
