Live Your Best Lives
Since July, high-temperature barbecue mode has been entered across the country. A few days ago, a typhoon was about to land in Hangzhou, and we thought it would become cooler. Unexpectedly, it rushed to North China before it blew a few times, and Hangzhou instantly returned to oven mode.
On such a hot day, even if you are tired of staying at home and want to go out for a walk, you may hesitate to do so when you see the scorching hot scene outside. However, the editor has found some highly recommended places that allow you to enjoy the coolness, appreciate the beautiful scenery, kill boredom, and enjoy your holidays even when you go out in the summer.
Maybe in the minds of many people, taking the bus is full of resistance and is forced. They have to go to work, worry about lack of parking spaces, and it is cheap...so they choose the bus as a second choice, not to mention that there is now a subway. But taking the bus is actually one of the most intuitive ways to understand a city. Today, the editor recommends several bus routes for you. You don’t have to worry about traffic jams or lack of seats. Moreover, the scenery along the route is super beautiful. It is comparable to a large sightseeing bus, specially for you who don’t want to walk but want to see the scenery.
Route 180 starts from the west of the old city, passes through the West Lake mountains from the Meiling Tunnel, and then crosses the river to Binjiang. It connects the scenery of the West Lake and Qiantang River from two eras. The tranquility deep in the West Lake, the majestic vicissitudes of the Old First Bridge, and the prosperous scenery of Binjiang are all contracted by this bus line.
Entering the Meiling Tunnel from the bustling west of the old city, the dazzling and scorching sun has long disappeared, leaving only the warm yellow lights in the tunnel and the whistling cool breeze. The first stop after rushing out of the tunnel is the legendary internet-famous station "Li Ma Hui Hao".
There is an anecdote here about Emperor Qianlong's trip to the south of the Yangtze River. He was so impressed by the newly renovated mountain road that he stopped to watch. In order to commemorate this event, the people of Maojiabu named this mountain road "Li Ma Hui Hua". The following stations, Lijilong Mountain and Shiwudong, are even more lush and green.
The bus is moving forward on the gently undulating mountain road, with dense plants on both sides almost covering the entire road. If you are suddenly amazed by the beautiful scenery and can't help but want to get off the bus for a walk, it is recommended that you get off at Shiwudong Station or Hupao Station. After getting off at Shiwudong Station and turning the corner, you will reach Manjuelong, where many beautiful B&Bs and restaurants are lined up along the street. You can order some coffee and Hangzhou-style side dishes, and enjoy the time here quietly until dark before going out of the mountain. It couldn't be more leisurely.
Hupao Station is a great place to find coolness. Accompanied by the clear sound of the Third Spring in the World, which is loved by the old Hangzhou people, away from the hustle and bustle and heat brought by the city, your whole body and mind will feel refreshed.
If you continue to follow the car, drive out of the mountains and onto the long-missed bridge, after getting used to the wide Third and Fourth Bridges, the old two-lane bridge will seem even more vicissitudes of life.
Looking back at the Liuhe Pagoda, the beautiful scenery between the mountains and rivers makes people feel inner peace and tranquility.
Tips:
Route 180: 06:30-21:15, fare 3 yuan
Jinse Lanting Bus Station - Manjuelong - Hupao - Yiqiao South>
There are two reasons why this route is eye-catching. One is that in the first half of the route, as you drive under the Qianzhong River elevated road, the sun is blocked out and all you can feel is greenery and coolness. The most lush vegetation here is the plane trees, ginkgo trees, metasequoia trees, etc., which are taller than the elevated road, and the greenery on the elevated road also spreads out.
Another reason is that this may be the longest bus route along the Qiantang River. It starts from Nanxing Bridge in Shangcheng District and runs along Zhijiang Road all the way to Zhijiang, a riverside line of more than 6 kilometers. The cherry blossom runway on the south bank has attracted so much traffic, but if you have a feeling for the passing of time, Zhijiang Road on the north bank is also suitable for you to recall and explore the memories of the past on the riverside avenue.
There are very few pedestrians and cars on the road here. If you get off at any stop on Zhijiang Road and walk a few steps, you will reach the riverside. On the other side is the core area of the river, which is more prosperous than the river view you see from the city balcony. The most famous attractions on this road are probably Liuhe Pagoda and Zhejiang University Zhijiang Campus.
But the White Pagoda Park, hidden deep in the dense forest at the foot of the Liuhe Pagoda, is a favorite check-in destination for literary and artistic youths. The White Pagoda Park has always preserved traces of the old Zhakou Railway Station. The still existing rails and signal lights make people feel that there seems to be a train approaching at the distant corner between the dense forests, and the roar of the whistle accompanied by the "clang clang" sound of the train seems to still be vivid in their ears.
Walking across the Qiantang River Bridge, you'll be transported back to the days of the educated youth working in the countryside. If you sit by the river and then return the same way, you can also grab lunch along the way. We recommend getting off at Meizheng Huayuan West Station.
A short walk will take you to Fuxing South Street, where Hangzhou's legendary noodle shops are clustered. There are more than 10 noodle shops along the street. No matter which one you go into, you will find that they all serve delicious noodles at the veteran-level level. There is always one that is destined to be with you.
Tips:
Route 190 06:00-21:00 Ticket price 3 yuan
Yan'an Road Yinma Lane - Nanxing Bridge - Zhijiang Road - Yunqi Town>
Starting from the East Square of the East Railway Station, we bypassed the rush hour section in the city center and followed the quiet roads in the east of the city. There was no traffic jam along the way and we turned to the riverside in the upper city. There is a station called [Sanbao Ship Lock].
It is an unpopular check-in spot by the river and not many people go there usually. If you want to enjoy the breeze and take pictures by the river without being disturbed, this place is perfect. The Sanbao Ship Lock, hidden outside the core area of Qianjiang New City, is the end point where the 1,797-kilometer canal flows into the Qiantang River. It is known as "Sanbao Huilan", one of the ten scenic spots of the canal. When the waterway was developed, the bustle here was comparable to the current subway transfer station. The highway bridge outside the lock and the steel structure frame are very similar to the Waibaidu Bridge in Shanghai. It is also especially recommended for photography enthusiasts to go there to unlock new photo poses.
If you continue west, you will end up on Qianjiang Road, which runs from Qianjiang New Town all the way to Shangcheng District. It is like connecting the past and future of Hangzhou. Not only can you see the thriving CBD business district, but you can also reminisce about the "lifestyle" of the older generation.
After passing Haiyue Bridge and Meizheng Bridge, the final stop is Huaxian Bridge, not far from Baguatian.
If you are interested in museums and history, you can also visit the Southern Song Dynasty Official Kiln Museum. The azure official kiln porcelain has passed through thousands of years, just like the streets of Hangzhou and the mountains of West Lake you are visiting at this moment. The simple, elegant and quiet green will make the heat attached to your body retreat, and what remains is only the aftertaste of the beautiful scenery and the peace of mind.
Tips:
Route 9 05:40-20:10 Ticket price 2 yuan
East Railway Station - Sanbao Ship Lock - Sanlang Temple - Huaxian Bridge
This was once the filming location for the TV series "If You Are the One", and even Ge You was captivated by its beauty... As a rare secondary wetland in the city, Hangzhou Xixi National Wetland Park was once known as one of Hangzhou's "Three Wests" along with West Lake and Xiling.
The gurgling water and the overlapping green shades make you feel the green shade everywhere you go, blocking out the hot summer heat. It is an ideal place to escape the summer heat.
Avoid the hustle and bustle of the day, accompany the rippling stream, listen to the birds singing among the reeds, search for plum blossoms by the winding stream, the lonely Qiuxue Temple, the misty fishing village... It's like being intoxicated and admiring the silhouette of Xixi's graceful figure, which is inspiring and thought-provoking.
Qixialing is located on the shore of West Lake in Hangzhou. According to legend, there were many peach blossoms on the ridge in the old days. In spring, the peach blossoms were in full bloom, like colorful clouds all over the ridge, so it was named Qixialing.
At the northern foot of Qixia Mountain lies Huanglong Cave, now home to Yuan Theme Park, where lush, verdant trees tower into the sky. Ziyun Cave, Jingu Cave, and Qixia Cave, all located on the mountain, offer cool, tranquil shade and are ideal spots to cool off in the scorching summer heat. In the summer evenings, many older Hangzhou residents choose this spot as a place to relax and chat after dinner.
The southern slope is home to Beishan Street, a street steeped in the Republican era style. It's home to some of Hangzhou's most stunning scenery, including Yue Temple, Quyuan Fenghe (Lotus in the Winding Courtyard), and Su Causeway. After ascending from Huanglong Mountain, enjoy some mountain fun and escape the summer heat. Arrive at the southern slope in the evening, as the West Lake heat subsides and the lotus blossoms, once vibrant under the scorching sun during the day, reveal their delicate and subtle beauty, perfect for admiring the blossoms.
Watch "Impression of West Lake" carefully again, accompanied by the caress of the evening breeze, and that mood will also fall into a deep dream.
The "Three Pagodas" along West Lake—Baochu Pagoda, Leifeng Pagoda, and City God Pavilion—are truly exceptional vantage points for commanding panoramic views of the lake. From the northernmost point, Baochu Pagoda offers sweeping views of Beili Lake, Broken Bridge, and much of the eastern half of West Lake. It's also home to "Gemstone Flowing Clouds," one of the new West Lake's Ten Scenic Spots.
Just down from Baoshishan Mountain is the Broken Bridge, and not far away is the Children's Palace Pier. On summer evenings, embark on a night cruise on West Lake. The boat is the "Baoshifang" used for the G20 summit, and the lake is a cool, breezy night. The scenery is the nightscape of the Broken Bridge, Lei Feng Pagoda, and the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon.
The rare beauty of West Lake is probably something you can never see even in dreams; only when you deeply appreciate this beauty, like a drop of pure and beautiful wine touching the tip of your sensitive tongue, will you feel it.
Leifeng Pagoda, famous for its role in the TV series "The Legend of the White Snake," is a must-see for visitors to West Lake. It's also the perfect spot for overlooking the lake from its south bank, and indeed the entire shoreline.
The park captures two of the ten West Lake scenic spots: Leifeng Pagoda Sunset and Nanping Pagoda Evening Bell. Just east of the park is Changqiao Park, known for its "not-so-long bridge." This is the scene of the eighteen-mile farewell in the film "Butterfly Lovers," and a classic camera spot for capturing the sunset over Changqiao and Leifeng Pagoda.
The best vantage point for photographing Leifeng Pagoda is from a boat on the lake. The lotus blossoms at night, fragrant with dew and wind, and the moonrise over the lake reveals the beauty of West Lake at night.
Jade Emperor Mountain, approximately 237 meters above sea level and connected to Phoenix Mountain, is known as "Dragon Flying and Phoenix Dancing" and is home to "Jade Emperor Flying Clouds," one of the ten new West Lake scenic spots. Zilai Cave, nestled on the mountainside, consists of three levels, each containing a cave within a cave, and maintains a constant temperature of around 14°C.
Tips:
transportation:
You can take bus No. 133, 42, 87, or 124 and get off at Yuhuang Feiyun Station.
Yunqi Bamboo Path is a well-known summer retreat for Hangzhou residents. Cool and quiet, with expanses of verdant green and the sound of cicadas filling your ears, it feels like you've been transported to another world.
Tips:
transportation:
By bus, you can take bus No. 103, 121, 122, or 324 and get off at Yunqi Zhujing Station.
The name "Nine Creeks and Eighteen Streams" conveys a sense of coolness. Its main attraction is water, and with its numerous streams, the heat melts away as soon as you step into them. The temperature here is significantly lower than in the city, so many parents bring their children here for water fights, which they enjoy immensely.
Tips:
transportation:
By bus, you can take bus No. 4, 39, 103, 189, 190, 202, 308, or 314 and get off at Jiuxi Station.
Wushan Mountain lies southeast of West Lake. Towering trees abound along the way. Climbing to the Jianghu Huiguan Pavilion on the summit offers a breathtaking view of Hangzhou's river, mountains, lake, and city. After dinner, take a leisurely stroll through Wushan Mountain—every breath of fresh air is refreshing!
Tips:
transportation:
You can take bus No. 8, 25, 34, 35, 40, 108, 127, 206, 208, or 212 to Wushan Square Station and go up Wushan Mountain.
The scorching heat of the sun cannot stop us from going out to enjoy the scenery in summer. Unless we are obsessed with it, we can just leave aside those scenic spots that require us to go out under the scorching sun and chase the summer in the coolness by bus, or escape the crowds and cool off in the hidden summer resorts in Hangzhou.
Travel doesn't have to be on holidays; a weekend or even an afternoon will do. You don't have to choose crowded tourist spots; as long as you have a heart for appreciating the scenery, any scenery you see will be a true beauty. So, have you collected all the cool spots in Hangzhou that can both beat the summer heat and relieve boredom on a sleepy holiday? While few people know about them yet, get out and experience them!
