Enjoy Thousand Island Lake: A guide to classic and off-the-beaten-path activities, including food and accommodation recommendations
Preface
Here you can enjoy the gentle and pleasant scenery of lakes and mountains with shimmering waters, the vast waves of Taihu Lake, and the graceful charm of West Lake. It has been rated as "the most beautiful scenic spot in China by CNN in the United States". There are 1,078 islands here, some as small as a pill of snail ink and some as large as a thousand-foot-high jade mountain.
The most important thing is: it maintained zero infection from beginning to end during the epidemic and was also "one of the first cities in Zhejiang to lift the ban"!
At present, tourism in Qiandao Lake has been fully restored. There are countless mountains, rivers, lakes and seas hidden here that you don’t know about. They are more beautiful and shocking than you can imagine.
This is Qiandao Lake, known as the "most beautiful water in the world"! Let's explore its beauty together!
Tickets and Reservations
Qiandao Lake has a daily limit of 20,000 people (including 17,000 in the central lake area and 3,000 in the southeastern lake area). Tickets and boat tickets for the Qiandao Lake scenic area must be booked in advance through the official Qiandao Lake tourism platform.
The scenic area implements a real-name system for ticket sales and inspection, so please remember to bring your valid ID.
01. Classic gameplay/view the Thousand Islands
Take a boat trip in the center of Qiandao Lake (Central Lake Area)
Location: The central lake area pier is on Xiushui Street. The main islands are Meifeng Island, Longshan Island, Moonlight Island and Yule Island.
Visiting Qiandao Lake and not exploring the central lake area is like visiting Hangzhou without visiting West Lake. From the mountaintop observation deck on Meifeng Island, you can gaze down at over 300 islands nestled in a golden belt of lush green mountains and clear waters, and experience the artistic conception of this "golden belt" firsthand.
You can go to Yule Island, where there is a buffet restaurant and a water park. You can take a speedboat or motorboat and ride on the surface of Qiandao Lake, feeling the clear sky and overlooking the plump and delicious fish in the lake...
You can also go to Longshan Island to appreciate the historical and cultural heritage of "one temple, one pond, one academy, Hai Rui and Zhu Xi were the best in three counties", and experience the wonderful artistic conception of "Tongqiao Tiejing Xiaojinshan, Shixia Academy Huolongshan, climbing the bell tower to see the Thousand Islands, and stepping on the dragon to enjoy the beautiful scenery".
Worship Buddha and enjoy the scenery at Qiandao Lake (Southeast Lake Area)
Location: Pearl Avenue, Chun'an County, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province
The Southeast Lakes region boasts thousands of green mountains, clear lakes, and jagged rocky hills, renowned for its water, rock, and mountain beauty. Climbing atop the mountain, you can gaze out over the world, taking in the panoramic view of the Thousand Islands. It's truly like "traveling in a painting."
Here, the karst topography of the floating stone forest seamlessly connects with the scenic beauty of Thousand Island Lake. Surrounded by mountains, water, and grotesque rocks, you'll feel like you're in a paradise. The clever, tamed monkeys roam the islands in pairs and swarms, offering a truly delightful experience. "Ancient temples nestled among emerald lakes and verdant mountains"—visit the Buddhist sanctuary of Mishan, where you can worship Buddha and enjoy the scenery in the uniquely charming Lakeside Fairy Garden. It's a truly delightful experience!
Have a forest SPA in a natural oxygen bar (forest oxygen bar)
Location: Qiandao Lake, Danzhu, Prince Mountain Forest Oxygen Bar Scenic Area, Chun'an County, Hangzhou, a 30-minute drive from Qiandao Lake City. Self-driving is recommended.
If you've had enough of the hustle and bustle of the city, then come back to nature and cleanse your lungs at Qiandao Lake Forest Oxygen Bar! Qiandao Lake Forest Oxygen Bar boasts vast expanses of trees, illuminated by the light of dawn and sunset. It's the perfect place to unwind for a short while and breathe in the forest air.
Check in at East China's longest 120m grass slide, which is just like your favorite "slide" when you were a child. Slide down quickly from the top of the colorful slide and release all the stress instantly!
Go to the lake wetland to see the beautiful scenery (Longchuan Bay)
Location: Jiangfang Line, Jiangjia Town, Chun'an County, Hangzhou
Hangzhou-Xinjiang-Jingshan Expressway - Qiandao Lake Town - Qianfen Line - Qiandao Lake Longchuan Bay Scenic Area
Tickets: Adult window ticket price is 160 yuan, online ticket price is 100 yuan
If you come to Qiandao Lake in Hangzhou, remember not to miss Longchuan Bay, which is one of the more representative attractions of Qiandao Lake!
Located 129 kilometers east of Hangzhou and 140 kilometers west of Mount Huangshan, Longchuan Bay in Qiandao Lake is the Yangtze River Delta's back garden. Longchuan Bay is the only lake-type wetland within the lake. The scattered islands and winding inlets create the scenic beauty of Longchuan, characterized by "islands within the lake and lake within the islands."
Enjoy the unique scenery in the Stone Forest (Qiandao Lake Stone Forest)
Located in Shilin Town, Chun'an County, the Qiandao Lake Stone Forest Scenic Area is known as "East China's No. 1 Stone Forest." Located over 650 meters above sea level, the area boasts an average annual temperature 5°C lower than that of Qiandao Lake Town, offering fresh air and a tranquil environment.
The Stone Forest is characterized by its unique rock formations, cliffs, caves, and ancient paths, and its secluded, enigmatic, bizarre, and dangerous qualities. With its peculiarly shaped peaks, pictographic rocks, and hundreds of breathtakingly vivid landscapes, it has earned the nickname "Natural Animal Museum."
02. Surprise gameplay/check-in at niche attractions
Visit the mysterious underwater ancient city (Wenyuan Lion City)
Location: Wenyuan Lion City is located in the center of Jiangjia Town, Chun'an County, Zhejiang Province, about 50 minutes' drive from the Qiandao Lake area.
Tickets: Adult window ticket price is 100 yuan, online ticket price is 70 yuan
Wenyuan Lion City, once a slumbering city for over 50 years on the shores of Qiandao Lake, is known as the "Atlantis of the East." More than just a street, here you can explore its rich millennia-long history and relive the prosperity of Wenyuan Lion City.
This mysterious street block with a total length of 666 meters perfectly reproduces the Little Paradise in Western Zhejiang, the prosperous East Street, North Street and the ancient archway culture.
Strolling through the ancient Hui-style village of Qiandao Lake (Qinchuan Ancient Town)
Women chatted and laughed by the village river, hammering clothes with small wooden sticks; geese and ducks frolicked beneath the willow trees in the breeze, and graceful girls strolled slowly, holding oil-paper umbrellas. Smoke curled from the Hui-style buildings, creating a magical atmosphere. The air was filled with the sweet aroma of sesame candy...
In Qinchuan Ancient Village, this village with a history of more than 750 years, you will definitely get unexpected surprises.
Tips:
transportation:
Self-driving: Hangzhou - (Hangzhou-Qiandao Expressway, about 129 km) - Qiandaohu Town - (Lakeside Scenic Boulevard) - Qiandaohu Bridge - (Qianfen Highway, about 50 km) - Qinchuan Village, Langchuan Township
Shuttle bus: Take the bus to Fenkou from Qiandao Lake North Bus Station and get off at Qinchuan Village, Langchuan Township
Go catch the sunset (Tianyu Peak Park)
Location: Tianyu Road, Chun'an County, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province
If you want to talk about the best place to watch the sunset and Qiandao Lake, it must be Tianyu Mountain!
Located at the highest point of Qiandao Lake, this spot offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains, creating a breathtaking scene. It's a perfect spot for photographing the Qiandao Lake Bridge. Every evening, photographers flock here, cameras in hand, to await the sunset, capturing a moment with a single click.
Check in at the most beautiful rural primary school in the dreamland (Fuwen Township Central Primary School)
Location: X723 (Jinfu Line) in Chun'an County, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province
Green mountains in the distance, a rainbow up close! This internet-famous elementary school, straight out of a fairytale, is actually in Hangzhou!
Designed by the China Academy of Art, this elementary school is comprised of ladders, cable bridges, ramps, and curved corridors, resembling a winding mountain path, interwoven with bamboo forests, fruit trees, mountain flowers, and a small pond. Its exterior is a vibrant macaron color. At night, when the classroom lights come on and the air echoes with the sound of reading, it's a dreamlike Garden of Eden!
Go to the internet-famous lighthouse to take a set of wedding photos (Intercontinental Lighthouse)
Location: Wanxiang Road, Xianshan Peninsula, Qiandaohu Town, Chun'an County, Hangzhou
The white lighthouse next to the InterContinental Hotel stands tall amidst a lake, rocks, flowers, and grass. Standing tall beside the tranquil lake, the tower is a beautiful sight on the shores of Thousand Island Lake.
Walk hand in hand down the long aisle, flanked by emerald waters, toward the beautiful lighthouse, where you'll capture unforgettable wedding photos. At night, when the lighthouse lights up, it's like you're at the end of the world, gazing up at the star-filled sky...
Walk the rails at Ko-Kamakura (Container Logistics Base)
Location: Nongfu Spring Logistics Base, Qiandao Lake Railway, Hangzhou
I have always had a small wish, which is to go to Nara to touch the deer, to Mount Fuji to see the cherry blossoms, and to Hokkaido to ride the train.
However, this wish can be realized at Maozhuyuan Station in Qiandao Lake. It is known as the Little Kamakura of Hangzhou. There are gently upward slopes, old barbed wire and dilapidated signboards, straight monorails, and endless embankment paths... When the breeze is not strong, put on a Japanese short skirt, tie two braids, feel this place with its own movie filter, and take a group of Japanese-style photos with your bestie.
Photographer: Xiaohongshu@哀但伤
Visiting Red Tourism Sites in Qiandao Lake (Xiajiang Village, Zhongzhou Town)
Location: No. 99 Menggu Road, Qiandao Lake Scenic Area
Zhongzhou Town: Chun'an County, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province
Xiajiang Village, an ancient village in Chun'an County, has successfully turned things around, step by step, under the guidance of General Secretary Xi Jinping.
The village is surrounded by winding hills and lush greenery, with Fenglin Harbor winding through it. Rows of modern residential buildings are nestled against the hillside and alongside the water, creating a picturesque paradise where the lush green mountains and clear waters are a true delight.
The Red Tea Mountain in Zhongzhou Town is another paradise. It is one of the three most beautiful ancient roads in Zhejiang Province. Look at the towering ancient cypresses, the old lady sitting leisurely at the door, and the smoke rising from the houses in the distance.
Here, you can chase the sunrise in the morning mist; stroll along the ancient trail in the afternoon, surrounded by lush trees and blooming wildflowers; and as the sun sets, the quiet mountains and singing birds accompany travelers to sleep.
03. Creative gameplay/play with many tricks
Cycling the most beautiful greenway around the lake (Qiandao Lake Cycling Path)
Recommended departure point: No. 390 Menggu Road, in front of the boatman's fish head restaurant
Forgo the leisurely pace of walking and embark on a unique cycling adventure under the warm sunshine and embraced by the mountains. Enjoy the early summer breeze and sunshine at your most comfortable pace. Ride along Qiandao Lake on the "most beautiful cycling path" and experience its 360-degree beauty!
Come for a hearty kayaking experience (Wave Chaser)
Location: Inside Qiandao Lake Golf Club Resort Hotel, Wanxiang Road
The Wave Chaser outdoor camp integrates sports, entertainment, leisure and other functions. You can ride the waves or drift freely in the water and sky, and fully enjoy the unrestrained and free time on the lake.
Sit in a rowboat and watch tiny islands rise from the water, birds chirp in the green mountains, the wind rustles the sunset, and small fish leap – experience the essence of Qiandao Lake in the most novel and interesting way. On the vast waters, there are no traffic jams or noise, no crowds or lights, no pressure or smog; everything is fresh and natural, the most pure and unadulterated.
Take a hot air balloon ride with your loved one (Tianji Hot Air Balloon)
Location: Inside the Swan Hill Qiandao Lake Golf Club Resort Hotel
Turkey is far away, but Thousand Island Lake is close. Thousand Island Lake offers an unparalleled hot air balloon experience. Soaring over Thousand Island Lake in a hot air balloon with your loved ones, overlooking the lake and mountains that are invisible to the naked eye, is perhaps the most unforgettable experience of your life.
Experience the thrill of "Akina Mountain Car God" (Beer Town)
Location: No. 669, Muzhou Avenue, Pingshan Industrial Park, Qiandaohu Town, Chun'an County, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province
Standing in Qiandao Lake Beer Town, it feels like standing on the streets of Munich, with a strong European style, unique beer experience halls, beer hot springs, beer gardens, and a super cool engine racing theme park.
Sit back in a professional race car, listen to the roar of a powerful engine, feel the sideways slide through corners, and experience the smoke-filled burnout. Then, grab some cool gear and snap some killer photos. Feel like the "Akina Mountain Racing God" and revisit the excitement of being 18 again.
04. Luxurious accommodation/sleep in a super lake view room
Lying down at a resort hotel with a stunning lake view (InterContinental, Sheraton)
Half lake, half paradise, this island retreat offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle. InterContinental Qiandao Lake Resort covers 37,000 square meters and boasts 255 guest rooms.
Here, you can see birds perched on the hotel fence, little squirrels quietly appearing in the corner, native chickens wandering in the mountains, and wild flowers blooming at will.
The Sheraton Qiandao Lake Resort boasts a unique location, boasting 270-degree lake views. Surrounded by the Thousand Islands on three sides, and facing the bustling city on one side, it offers a tranquil escape amidst the hustle and bustle. From here, you can gaze out over the vast expanse of misty waters, gaze up close at the turquoise waters surrounding you, and take in the breathtaking scenery from your bed or soak in the bathtub through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
If you want to talk about the best place to watch the sunset and Qiandao Lake, it must be Tianyu Mountain!
Located at the highest point of Qiandao Lake, this spot offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains, creating a breathtaking scene. It's a perfect spot for photographing the Qiandao Lake Bridge. Every evening, photographers flock here, cameras in hand, to await the sunset, capturing a moment with a single click.
Stay in a literary B&B (Guanzhi Qiandao Lake)
In addition to luxury hotels, there are many B&Bs with different styles in Hangzhou Qiandao Lake: some are built on the mountain, some are located in bamboo forests, and some are full of literary and artistic style... Guanzhi Qiandao Lake is the most unforgettable one. Staying in this B&B has an unbeatable lake view.
When I woke up in the morning and opened the curtains, I saw a light mist and skylight on the water, just like sleeping in a gentle and affectionate wave.
Tips:
Address: No. 2, Jingshan Village, Jinfeng Township, Chun'an County, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province
Living in the mountains and finding the fun of the wild (Maoshan Qingtianye)
In Qiandao Lake's Fuwen Township, a guesthouse called "Maoshan Qingtianye" sits quietly, shrouded in mist, nestled against lush green hills and overlooking a clear stream. Each of the fourteen guest rooms, each with its own courtyard, boasts a natural, unpretentious style and a generous, well-organized layout.
The houses here are new dwellings built in accordance with the "ancient style" - lofts with hemp mud walls and villas with wooden roofs and black tiles. Here, time is gradually forgotten, and here you can relax and stay away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Tips:
Address: No. 36, Huangnifan Village, Qingtian Village, Fuwen Township, Chun'an County, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province
05. Taste Feast
There are many ways to cook Qiandao Lake fish head. It can be stewed or boiled. The most famous one is to cook the fish in two ways. The soup made from the fish head is smooth, delicious, oily and tender, which will leave you with an endless aftertaste.
Go to the 40-year-old Yuwei Restaurant (Qiandao Lake Yuwei Restaurant)
If I had to recommend a restaurant, it would be the 40-year-old Qiandao Lake Fish Restaurant. They serve signature dishes like "Fish Head in Casserole with Fresh Eggplant," "Fish Head in Casserole with Xiushui," and "Fish Maw in Xiushui," all served in a relaxed atmosphere.
Tips:
It was named a "Famous Chinese Restaurant" in 1987 and is well-known for its Chunpai Qiandao Lake organic fish. It is praised by tourists as a freshwater fish tasting center.
Address: No. 2 Pailing South Road, Qiandaohu Town, Chun'an County
Enjoy all the flavors of the Thousand Islands on one street (Qiandao Lake Fish Street)
“People swim in the lake, fish walk in the street.” Walking into Fish Street, the air is filled with the scent of lake water. The sound of gurgling water accompanies your footsteps, as if telling an ancient and time-honored story.
In Fish Street, there are 56 specialty restaurants of various types, where you can "taste all the flavors of a thousand islands in one street"; in Fish Street, you can savor the pulse between your lips and teeth; in Fish Street, you can appreciate fish, caress fish, play with fish, and taste fish.
Tips:
Qiandao Lake Fish Street is also a place for foodies who like to find delicious lake seafood. It is an excellent place to experience the cuisine of Qiandao Lake.
Address: Nanjing Road, Qiandaohu Town, Chun'an County
Go to the most delicious local fish head restaurant (Lihu Fish Restaurant)
Lihu Fish Restaurant is known as the most delicious fish head restaurant in the area. Besides enjoying rich broth fish head, you can also try chopped pepper fish head. As the saying goes, "When the golden phoenix and jade dew meet, it is better than anything in the world." The unique aroma of the yellow pepper sauce permeates the tender fish head, and every fish bone is delicious.
Tips:
Address: 20-8 Xin'an Street, Chun'an County, Hangzhou
Conclusion
I've given you so many reasons to admire Qiandao Lake's beauty, but no matter how much you yearn for life here, it's hard to beat the fact that the lockdown is over! You can run freely in the freshest air, free from the congestion of the city... Qiandao Lake has been waiting for you. Do you want to check it out?
