Last updated on June 8th, 2025
Immersing yourself in the serene natural beauty of West Lake. Enjoy a leisurely stroll or take a boat ride to fully appreciate the scenery. Must-visit place in Hangzhou.
West Lake or “Xi Hu” (Chinese: 西湖), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, enchants visitors with its tranquil waters, vibrant greenery, and historic landmarks such as Lingyin Temple and Leifeng Pagoda. As the most famous attraction in Hangzhou, the serene beauty of West Lake cannot be fully captured through words or photos.
When visiting West Lake, travelers can enjoy a variety of activities to take in the scenery. Options include leisurely boat rides, biking through the park, and strolling through picturesque gardens. Visitors can also savor Longjing tea at lakeside tea houses while indulging in local cuisine.
Here is our ultimate travel guide with a quick and easy West Lake itinerary to help you maximize your time enjoying the beautiful scenery.
West Lake Travel Guide: Pre-trip Essential
Here are some useful travel tips for planning your trip to West Lake:
How to get to West Lake: West Lake is easily accessible via public transportation, including both subway and bus options. Taxis and ride-hailing services like Didi are also available, but be prepared for potential traffic congestion in the area. Since the scenic attractions around West Lake are relatively spread out, it is recommended to decide on your specific destination in advance.
If you choose to visit West Lake by subway, here are the closest metro stations:
- Fengqi Road Station (凤起路): Lines 1 and 2; located near Broken Bridge and Bai Causeway. It’s about a 15-minute walk (750 meters) to West Lake.
- Longxiangqiao Station (龙翔桥): Line 1; situated near the West Lake Musical Fountain, 2nd Park, 4th Park, and Hubin Road. A quick 5-minute walk (250 meters) takes you to West Lake.
- Dingan Road Station (定安路): Line 1; close to Yongjin Park, King Qian Temple, and Orioles Singing in the Willows. It’s approximately a 15-minute walk (700 meters) to West Lake.
How Many Times for West Lake: This picturesque area is quite expansive, so exploring it typically requires at least half a day to a full day.
Getting Around: Visitors can take advantage of various modes of transportation, such as cycling, sightseeing buses, boat tours, and special bus lines for convenient transfers. For those who prefer to explore West Lake on foot, keep in mind that the area is large and can be physically demanding. Therefore, it’s recommended that visitors utilize the different transportation options available to enhance their experience and make their journey more enjoyable and relaxed.
West Lake Cruise Ticket
There are two types of island tour boat tickets available, both including a round-trip boat ride and admission to Xiaoying Island. The CNY 70 ticket grants access to a deluxe painted ship, while the CNY 55 ticket is for a simple leisure boat. There is also luxury Night Cruise at CNY 150 available for evening sunset view. Choose the one based on your liking.
Please note that the return trip will always be on a leisure boat. So, the deluxe painted boat may not offer good value for money.
West Lake Cruise Ticket:
- Leisure Boat – Price for adult at CNY 55
- Luxury Ship – Price for adult at CNY 70
- Luxury Night Cruise – Price for adult at CNY 150
- Check here for West Lake Cruise Ticket Pricing Option.
West Lake Travel Guide Tips: There are many piers along the shore of West Lake, so make sure to know your boat boarding pier and which type of boat ticket you purchased.
My Visit to West Lake
We arrived at West Lake by taking a ride-share with Didi. The driver dropped us at Hubin Road area which is closer to the Broken Bridge and Bai Causeway.
Covering 650 hectares (1,606 acres), West Lake is quite large and is crowded at almost any time. Firstly, we took a leisurely walk heading north along the lakeside trail, enjoying the beautiful natural scenery, willows, and historical buildings. After that, we took a boat ride to the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon and returned to a different port to continue our exploration of West Lake.
West Lake is home to ten well-known classic scenes (Xihu Shijing/西湖十景). The names of these tourist sites can be challenging to remember and understand if you are not familiar with classical literature or the Chinese language. Additionally, it’s nearly impossible to visit all the attractions in one day, so it’s important to prepare in advance.
West Lake Notable Attactions
Over the course of our West Lake visit, we see several attractions.
The attraction points not to be missed in West Lake are Leifeng Pagoda (雷峰塔), Viewing Fish at Flower Pond (花港观鱼), Su Causeway (苏堤春晓), Three Pools Mirroring the Moon (三潭印月), Lotus in the Breeze at Crooked Courtyard (曲苑风荷), and Broken Bridge (断桥).
Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon (三潭印月) is a renowned location in West Lake. Situated in the center of the lake, it is accessible by ferry. The island was established around 1,200 years ago, and its small ponds and bridges embody the ancient philosophy of Yin and Yang. This area is notable for having a lake within it, as well as another island within that lake. The presence of many trees, temples, and ancient houses enhances its charm.
Although the island is small, the views are striking, particularly the perspective of Lei Feng Pagoda from a different angle.
Lei Feng Pagoda (雷峰塔) – We viewed the pagoda from the lake, but you can also reach it by tram or buggy ride. The visit typically lasts 2 to 3 hours, and admission fees apply. Children aged 6 to 18 and seniors over 70 receive half-price tickets. You can climb to the top floor of the pagoda for spectacular views of West Lake.
Broken Bridge (断桥) is the most famous bridge among all the large and small, ancient and modern bridges around West Lake, due to the Legend of the White Snake. According to folklore, it is also where Xu Xian and Lady White met. You can walk along the bridge to the adjacent Bai Causeway (白堤), with willow trees lining both sides. It’s lovely to see the willows gently swaying in the evening breeze.
Lunch at Lou Wai Lou West Lake
We also had a wonderful lunch at Lou Wai Lou (楼外楼). It is a traditional Chinese restaurant that has been in operation since 1848. The restaurant is located at the Solitary Hill, along the shore. A very popular restaurant in Hangzhou.
Lou Wai Lou specializes in traditional Hangzhou cuisine and is well-known both locally and internationally. The food is exceptionally delicious but can be quite pricey.
Overall: A Visit to West Lake
All in all, West Lake is must-visit for anyone who visit Hangzhou. It isan ideal location for a leisurely walk, allowing visitors to appreciate the tranquil lake scenery. Taking a boat ride around and across West Lake was delightful, offering peaceful views and glimpses of both historic China and modern buildings in the distance. It was a very enjoyable visit, and we would have loved to extend our time there if our schedule had permitted. The area perfectly combines natural beauty with cultural richness.
Lastly, this West Lake itinerary is part of our Shanghai Suzhou Hangzhou travel blog. Continue reading for more travel stories.
- Shanghai itinerary: A Travel Guide Blog
- Where To Stay in Shanghai: Best Areas and Hotels
- Day Trip Suzhou itinerary: A Travel Guide Blog
- Hangzhou itinerary: A Travel Guide Blog
- Where To Stay in Hangzhou: Best Areas and Hotels
- Trip to Wuzhen Ancient Water Town: A Travel Guide Blog
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