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In a modern city where high-rise buildings block out the sun and buildings are so densely packed that it is impossible to penetrate any part of the sky, there is a place that, when viewed from the air, looks like a freehand painting: rivers crisscross, small boats sway gently, and occasionally a corner of a Hui-style house with white walls and black tiles is revealed.
Traces of Jiangnan life a thousand years ago can still be found here. Turning a corridor, you might see a lady from a noble family smiling softly with her eyebrows lowered across from you.
This is Xixi Wetland. I was fortunate enough to be invited by Hangzhou Xixi Investment Development Co., Ltd. to take an in-depth tour of this paradise, and I realized just how much of a treasure I'd been missing! If someone ever asks me why I love Hangzhou, I'll definitely include Xixi Wetland in the list!
Xixi Wetlandcheck the details
Xixi National Wetland Park, located in the western part of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, is a rare secondary wetland within an urban area. Approximately 70% of its surface area is water, with numerous estuaries and scale-shaped fish ponds dotted throughout. This is China's first and only national wetland park integrating urban, agricultural, and cultural wetlands. The wild beauty of the natural wetlands and its rich, ancient cultural heritage imbue this ancient land with a sense of beauty and mystery.
3623 recommendations, 2665 visits
Xixi Wetland, known as one of Hangzhou's Three Wests, along with West Lake and the Xiling Seal Society, is three times the size of West Lake. With 70% of its area comprised of rivers, ponds, lakes, and marshes, it is China's first national wetland park integrating urban, agricultural, and cultural wetlands. In a more artistic sense, it's a Jiangnan dreamland nestled within the city.
The most recommended way to enjoy Xixi Wetland is by boat. Firstly, it's the filming location for "If You Are the One," where Ge Da Ge once rode a boat. Secondly, in Jiangnan, boats are like people's feet. By boat, you can reach places you can't reach on foot and experience many unique experiences.
In spring and summer, the scenery is green everywhere. When you glide by boat, you don't hear the hustle and bustle of traffic, but only the sound of water. It seems as if you are the only one left in the world.
At this time of year, you can take a boat trip to Qiuxue Temple, where you will be surrounded by reeds swaying in the wind like snow. It is extremely beautiful and a unique feature of Xixi. You can also climb up to the Danzhi Tower of Qiuxue Temple and stand on the high point to gaze into the distance.
From May to October every year, the government also launches the "Rowing the Boat and Leaning against the Setting Sun" Xixi Evening Cruise. The boat paddles into the idle clouds, and instead of fishing in the clear water, you fish for the sunset glow.
The boatman takes you along, passing through picturesque scenery, and finally to the best viewing spot. Sit back and enjoy the sunset, the crimson sky, and the evening scenery, your heart will be at peace.
Want to get involved in more than just admiring the scenery? That's fine too! You can become a fisherman for a day in the wetlands and experience different fishing activities in different seasons.
Shrimp cages, ground traps, silk nets, cast nets, and more...bringing your kids here is sure to be a delight! The fish and vegetables you catch can be prepared and eaten for free at Hongyuan Restaurant. Enjoying dishes made with your own catch will leave you wanting to eat two extra bowls of rice.
The Xixi Wetland's river courses stretch nearly 100 kilometers, and the high humidity often creates misty skies. While the scenery appears tranquil and beautiful from above, it takes on a celestial beauty from above!
Lush forests and dense lakes filled the view. Hazy mist shrouded the trees, blurring the boundary between the ground and the sky. Sunlight shone from above on the mist and treetops, making it look like the place where the old immortals lived in mythological stories.
You might think this is something you can only see from an aerial camera, but not really! Xixi Wetland offers a helium balloon ride, safely and comfortably taking you 100 meters above the ground, where you can admire the beauty of Xixi from a bird's-eye view. Even those with acrophobia needn't be afraid; I personally experienced a smooth, bump-free ride, almost like flat ground!
Gaozhuang, also known as Xixi Villa, was the manor of Gao Shiqi, a renowned Qing Dynasty writer and calligrapher. Emperor Kangxi visited the area during his southern tours. Today, Gaozhuang is so deserted it's almost quiet, making it a great place to photograph Hanfu costumes.
Hong Garden is a must-visit place for many people who come to Xixi Wetland. It is owned by the Qiantang Hong family. During the Song and Ming dynasties, three prime ministers and five chancellors were born here, and many talents emerged.
In his later years, Hong Zhong, a minister of state during the Ming Dynasty, retired to Wuchang, Xixi, and built Hong Garden as a place for rest and recitation. The garden, with its thatched cottages, flowing water, small bridges, and lush flowers and trees, is a rare masterpiece of gardening.
In fact, these well-known attractions can't even express 30% of the beauty of Xixi Wetland. In addition to its natural scenery, I highly recommend it for another reason: it allows you to return to the essence of travel, "relaxation."
If you come to Hangzhou from far away, you can choose this place as your accommodation. It is 5 kilometers away from West Lake and 7.5 kilometers away from Wulin Square. It is also not far from niche attractions such as Meijiawu and Longwu. At this distance, it is very convenient to go anywhere, whether by car, taxi, or public transportation.
If you already live in Hangzhou, you don’t have to travel long distances or take time off. You can deeply relax in one weekend.
There is a "Xixi Paradise" in the southeast corner of Xixi Wetland. It is difficult to define what kind of place it is in a few words.
Luxury hotels like Banyan Tree, Sheraton, Angsana, Xixuan, and Brook are located here, forming a hotel cluster. Cinemas, shopping malls, museums, art centers, and restaurants are also within easy reach. It can be said to be a small resort, small but well-equipped.
Banyan Tree is very careful in selecting locations around the world. The fact that they chose Xixi Wetland as the location in Hangzhou is a testament to their recognition of it.
Rather than a hotel, this is more like a carefully designed Jiangnan garden, with pavilions, waterside pavilions, swimming fish, small boats... everything you need.
The antique plaques and couplets give you an ancient feeling before you even get close. When you enter the lobby, you will be stunned by the small scenery of Jiangnan that comes through the door.
The hotel offers spacious suites and villas for the wealthy, each with an area of at least 120 square meters. The picture below shows the entrance to one of the villas.
The interior design reflects the Jiangnan style everywhere, with thick dark wooden floors, vivid and exquisite embroidery, tapestries, spiritual art decorations, and the pleasant greenery on the terrace outside the door.
Everyone's definitely heard of Sheraton. Every room is equipped with the iconic Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Bed, a bed you'll love after sleeping on. It's said to have over 10,000 springs, providing just the right amount of firmness and softness. Many guests buy a similar bed from the hotel after sleeping on it. I asked about the price, and it was only a little over 10,000 yuan. If you're a wealthy person, feel free to ask.
Considering the large number of business travelers staying here, they've even thoughtfully provided ergonomic desks and chairs! Every detail demonstrates their dedication and professionalism. However, I wouldn't even bother working on my computer in a place like this. 😂 I'd be too busy enjoying the view!
The equipment used in the built-in gym is all from Olympic suppliers, and there is a clean towel next to each piece of equipment. These details will make you willing to pay the price of thousands of yuan a night.
If you're a foodie, don't miss the hotel restaurant's evening buffet this season, featuring all-you-can-eat hairy crabs! Just tell me, aren't you tempted?
PS: You can also enjoy the buffet while staying at the hotel! There are also 50% off coupons for China Merchants Bank available on Wednesday, so go ahead!
Each room is equipped with a massage chair, ensuring ultimate relaxation! This is Xixuan. While it may not be as well-known as the other two, the rooms are equipped with massage chairs, and all toiletries are by L'Occitane, demonstrating its understated yet refined character.
Every room has a view outside, and the house is committed to bringing nature indoors - the bathroom in the house uses a corner of transparent glass to let light in, and this small detail is also very design-conscious.
While waiting for the elevator, my attention was attracted by several strangely shaped "columns" next to me. The staff explained that the outer shells of these lamps are made of environmentally friendly materials, and the light is lit from the inside, which is soft and not dazzling, and full of artistic sense.
This place is called the meditation area. Opposite the chair is a wall and a pool of water, which is suitable for sitting quietly and daydreaming.
In Xixi, where every inch of land is valuable, everyone wants to make the best use of everything. However, they did the opposite and built an artistic library in the lobby.
The library is designed like a window to the sky, bringing in natural light from above the building and between the bookshelves on the walls. It houses over 6,000 rare books, allowing residents to immerse themselves in the library and read quietly.
Various activities are held here regularly, such as movie watching, handcrafting, sharing sessions, etc. In the cool autumn weather, it is also nice to rent a car and go cycling around.
Banyan Tree, Sheraton, Xixuan, each hotel has its own unique SPA experience, which is also experienced by many celebrities. You can completely relax in the dim light, and after the end, you will gain a brand new self.
The China Wetland Museum is right next to the hotel complex, only a 5-minute walk away. The museum uses simple and interesting demonstrations and explanations to show the origins of wetlands and humans, which is suitable for children to watch.
The view outside the open exhibition hall is also amazing! It's so modern, I couldn't resist snapping photos the moment I walked in. It feels like something out of a sci-fi movie. It might become a popular Instagram post in the future.
There is even an art center here with its own small theater, which occasionally stages interesting plays or unplugged concerts.
In addition to museums and art centers, there are many things you can do here: go to Banyan Tree to experience afternoon tea on a boat, go to Sheraton's French restaurant to satisfy your taste buds, rent a bicycle at the hotel and move forward aimlessly, go to Jiangcun Market to experience local life, go to the slow-life block to feel the prosperity of the night. In the pastry culture experience hall below, there are all kinds of delicious local pastries. The fully transparent operation room allows you to see the production process, which is clean and hygienic.
There are dragon boat races every year during the Dragon Boat Festival in Xixi, so there is an exhibition hall in Jiangcun Market with several lifelike dragon boats that are finely carved and look like works of art.
Daylight saving time: April to October
Opening and closing hours: 7:30-18:30
Ticket sales time: 7:30-17:30
Ticket sales time: 7:30-16:45
Winter time: November to March
Opening and closing hours: 8:00-17:30
Ticket sales time: 8:00-16:30
Ticket sales time: 8:00-16:15
Tickets are 80 yuan per person;
Battery boat ticket: 60 yuan/person;
Battery car ticket is 10 yuan/person/trip;
The boat ticket is 100 yuan/hour/boat (2-6 people/boat, including children). The charter starts from 1 hour. After 1 hour, 25 minutes overtime will be charged as half an hour, and 55 minutes overtime will be charged as a full hour.
Tips:
Tickets cannot be purchased on site, must be purchased online
If your order has been open for more than two hours, your ticket is for the East Zone, and you entered your ID number when booking, you can bring your ID to the ticket gate to enter the park. If you did not enter your ID number, you will need to pick up your ticket at the e-commerce counter at the Zhoujiacun Visitor Service Center or the ticket window at the Zijingang Visitor Service Center using a text message.
Battery boat: It is a public transport boat that travels in a clockwise direction and stops at four docks along the way: Zhoujia Village, Yanshui Fishing Village, Shentankou, and Jiaolutian Village.
Ticket sales are available at all four piers, allowing visitors to choose to visit the shore based on their itinerary. Each electric boat ticket is valid only once within the designated route and cannot be reused. During summer time, the last electric boat departs at 5:00 PM. Passengers on boats operating after this time will not transfer. Rowboats operate in two separate areas, each not connected to the other on the route. Visitors can choose the route that best suits their visit.
(1) Zhoujia Village Rowboat Terminal - Plum and Bamboo Villa, Qiuxue Temple, Yanshui Fishing Village, Shentankou. (In principle, Zhoujia Village rowboat tickets must be returned to Zhoujia Village for refunds. If you wish to disembark at Shentankou and not take another rowboat, you must refund your ticket at the Shentankou boarding terminal ticket window. Shentankou allows tourists to disembark, but does not sell rowboat tickets.)
(2) Futi Rowboat Wharf—Jiangcun Market, Qingping Mountain Hall, Two Temples and One Ancestral Hall, Gaozhuang.
Electric Cars: Operating Range: Xixi Paradise Visitor Service Center - Gaozhuang - Hezhu Street - North Gate. Bidirectional operation. Tickets can be purchased at the corresponding stops. Walking Tour: All attractions except Qiuxue Temple can be reached on foot.
The basic route for visiting the scenic area is to purchase a ticket at Zhoujia Village, then walk for two minutes to the Zhoujia Village Pier Square. From there, take an electric boat tour of the scenic area. Starting from Zhoujia Village, the route passes the three landing docks: Yanshui Fishing Village, Shentankou, and Jiaolutianzhuang, before returning to Zhoujia Village.
The electric boat is equipped with an electronic explanation system and a boat attendant. If you have any questions, please ask the boat attendant. (If you are traveling by car, please choose a nearby attraction as your final destination based on your vehicle's parking location to facilitate your exit from the park.)
The current festival activities in the scenic area include:
Xixi Plum Blossom Festival (February-March)
Xixi Flower Festival (early April to late May)
Xixi Dragon Boat Festival (fifth day of the fifth lunar month)
Xixi Persimmon Festival (late September to mid-October)
Xixi Reed Listening Festival (late November to mid-December)
