West Lake In-Depth Travel Guide (Summer 2025 Edition)

I. Key Information at a Glance 1. Opening Hours & Tickets - Main Scenic Area: Free entry year-round (some attractions charge separately): ▸ Leifeng Pagoda: ¥40/person (50% off for students, free for seniors over 70), offers panoramic lake views from the top. ▸ Lingyin Temple: Combo ticket ¥75 (includes Feilai Peak ¥45 + temple ¥30), free admission on West Lake Day (June 24). ▸ Yuewang Temple: ¥25/person (half-price for students/seniors), open 7:30-18:00 during peak season. - Discounts: Hangzhou Park Annual Card covers most attractions; free for minors under 18 and active military personnel. 2. Best Seasons - Summer (June-August): Lotus blooms at Quyuan Garden and Qianwang Temple Lotus Exhibition (through mid-October). - Night Activities: Song Dynasty poetry night tours (through National Day) and lakeside music fountain shows (19:00/20:00 daily). II. Transportation Guide 1. External Transport - Train/Flight: Take Metro Line 1 from Hangzhou East Station/Xiaoshan Airport to Longxiangqiao Station (east lakeshore). - Driving: Odd-even license plate restrictions on weekends; park at Huanglong Sports Center and transfer by bus. 2. Internal Transport - Metro Connections: 12 stations offer shuttle buses like romantic route WE1314 from Longxiangqiao to Broken Bridge. - Boats & Sightseeing Cars: ▸ Three Pools Mirroring Moon combo ticket: ¥55 (includes boat), book via "West Lake Tourism" WeChat 3 days ahead. ▸ Lake loop sightseeing car: ¥80/person (4 sections), hop-on service. III. Classic 3-Day Itinerary Day 1: Classic Lakeside Route - Morning: ▸ Broken Bridge: Capture morning mist and Baoshi Mountain reflections before crowds. ▸ Bai Causeway: Visit Pinghu Autumn Moon, Gushan Island, Xiling Seal Engravers' Society, and Zhejiang Museum. - Afternoon: ▸ Boat to Three Pools Mirroring Moon: Compare with ¥1 bill scenery. ▸ Leifeng Pagoda at sunset: VR restoration show (¥30) of ancient pagoda. - Evening: Lakeside music fountain → Hefang Street snacks (cong you bing, dingsheng cake). Day 2: Hidden Gems & Culture - Dawn: Arrive at Maojiabu before 4:30 for reed-shrouded paddle boats (¥200/hour, 4-person sharing). - Morning: ▸ Nine Creeks Meandering Trail: Hike from Longjing Village, taste spring tea (¥80-120/person). ▸ China Academy of Art: Instagrammable red walls and architecture. - Afternoon: ▸ West Lake State Guesthouse: Free access to Mao Zedong's study spot and imperial steles. ▸ Su Causeway cycling: Six historic bridges connecting scenic views. - Night: Song Dynasty poetry tour (¥188) with flower-pinning games and tea ceremonies. Day 3: Zen & Nature - Full Day: ▸ Lingyin Temple prayers: Take Metro Line 3 to Dongyue Station, transfer to shuttle bus. ▸ Longjing Village tea-picking: Try frying techniques with Dongpo pork lunch (¥100/person). ▸ Qiantang River night cruise: Buy premium Lion Peak tea (¥800-1200/jin) before departure. IV. Special Experiences 1. Lotus Exhibitions & Night Gardens - Qianwang Temple Lotus Show: Free on June 24, night tickets ¥35 (17:30-23:00) with light installations. - Interactive: July's Hanfu night tours feature lotus lantern rituals. 2. Cycling/Hiking Routes - Yanggong Causeway: Less crowded, Guo's Villa (¥8) connects to autumn ginkgo views. - Baoshi Mountain sunset: 20-minute climb to Baochu Pagoda for night vistas. V. Accommodation & Food 1. Hotels - Luxury: Four Seasons Hangzhou (garden-style, walk to Quyuan Garden). - Budget: Ruye B&B (near Lingyin Temple), Siyanjing Wabi-Sabi Mountain View. - Unique: West Lake State Guesthouse's century-old gardens (free visit by appointment). 2. Must-Try Foods - Hangzhou cuisine: ▸ Louwailou: West Lake vinegar fish, Dongpo pork (¥150/person at Gushan branch). ▸ Zhiweiguan: Cat-ear noodles, pian'er chuan (¥30/person at lakeside). - Street eats: Hefang Street's scallion pancakes, Youbu soy milk. - Tea-infused dishes: Longjing Village farm meals with spring tea pairings. VI. Tips 1. Preparation - Gear: Sun protection, mosquito repellent, comfortable shoes (20,000 steps/day), foldable umbrella. - Documents: ID cards (required for boat reservations), student IDs for discounts. 2. Etiquette - Environment: No swimming/feeding fish; carry out trash. - Culture: Maintain silence at temples; avoid touching artifacts. 3. Emergency - Medical: Lakeside First Aid (0571-87037120), Lingyin Clinic (8:00-17:00). - Transport: Check last bus times via "Hangzhou Bus" app. VII. FAQs 1. Q: Does Leifeng Pagoda require reservations? A: No, but pre-booking via WeChat avoids queues. 2. Q: How to avoid crowds at Nine Creeks? A: Visit early/late; park at Shannan Yin lot on weekends. 3. Q: Are e-tickets accepted for boats? A: Yes (QR code/ID), but children need on-site tickets. Epilogue West Lake's charm lies in its ever-changing beauty and millennia of culture. Whether boating or strolling poetic causeways, savor every moment. Follow "West Lake Tourism" WeChat for updates, and may your journey be filled with Jiangnan magic. 🌿🚣‍♂️