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If you were to ask which city is the most romantic, Hangzhou would definitely be on the list! Look! Last Mid-Autumn Festival, Hangzhou lit up West Lake with 33 moon boats, recreating the romantic legend of the "33 moons" at the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon. To welcome the Year of the Rabbit, the West Lake cruise boats have been transformed into adorable "lucky rabbit boats." Anyone who sees this will be envious!
According to Mafengwo data, the "West Lake Cruise" has now become a "new landmark" for check-ins in Hangzhou, with its popularity soaring by 135%. During this year's Spring Festival, many people came here to enjoy the cruise. To make it easier for everyone, You Xiaoxia has compiled a guide to West Lake cruises to teach you how to choose the right boat at once!
Tips:
Ticket price: 90 yuan/person, half price for children 1.2-1.5 meters tall (includes a gift and a Song Dynasty art performance)
Ticket purchase method: Purchase tickets at the Five Parks Pier
⛵Ship type: "Quanrao" large dragon boat, "Baoshifang" luxury pleasure boat
📍Cruise route: Depart from Wu Park Pier - Bai Causeway - Pinghu Autumn Moon - Su Causeway - Three Pools Mirroring the Moon - Willow Waves and Orioles Singing - Lakeside - Back to the pier, circling the lake for about 50 minutes
📅Operating hours: 18:30-21:30 (specific details are subject to the actual terminal)
⭐Suitable for people: Song Dynasty style, ancient style, night tour enthusiasts
Tips:
Boarding terminal: Lakeside Second Park Foreign Affairs Cruise Terminal (Second Park Yizhou Cruise Ticket Booth)
Boat ticket price: 48 yuan
⭐ Suitable for people: Any age group, anyone who wants to experience a boat trip can experience it
Tips:
Embarkation terminal: Su Causeway Flower Harbor Fish Viewing Foreign Affairs Terminal
Boat ticket price: 35 yuan
⭐ Suitable for people: Any age group, anyone who wants to experience a boat trip can experience it
Image @Xiaohongshu—Ruohan doesn't stay up late
The island tour of West Lake is a classic tour route for boat tours on the lake. The Three Pools Mirroring the Moon is known as the most beautiful scenery of West Lake, and Xiaoyingzhou Island has beautiful scenery and quiet views.
Tips:
⛵Ticket type: Luxury pleasure boat: 70 yuan/person; leisure boat: 55 yuan/person
⛵Itinerary Introduction: There is no time limit for visiting the island, and the tour ends after landing
📍Boarding Terminal: Park 1, Park 2, Park 5, Children's Palace, Zhongshan Park, Hangzhou Hotel, Yuewang Temple, Flower Harbor Fish Viewing, Qianwang Temple
📍Disembarkation: After the tour, you can choose to disembark at one of the following terminals (Huagang, Hangfan, Zhongshan, or Hubin) with your ticket.
📅 Operating hours: 8:00-17:00
💸Ticket purchase method: You can scan the QR code to purchase tickets at any of the nine docks along the lake
⭐ Suitable for people: Highly recommended for friends who are visiting Hangzhou for the first time. The Three Pools Mirroring the Moon is a must-see attraction, where you can take pictures of the same scenery as the 1 yuan RMB banknote
❤Note:
1. The ticket prices and routes of various cruise ships are different. Please confirm the specific route and price before boarding.
2. If you want to visit the island, you must confirm whether you can visit the island and whether the island entrance fee is included when purchasing the ticket.
Picture @Xiaohongshu—Little Cousin in Hangzhou
Tips:
📍Tour route:
Lakeside Park-Hangzhou Hotel (accessible from either side)
Qianwangci Pier - Huagang Fish Viewing (Both sides are available)
⚡Note: Only available on weekends and statutory holidays, don't miss it
Tips:
⛵Ferry ticket price: ① Adult ticket: 15 yuan/person/time
② Hangzhou Residents Discount Ticket: RMB 5 per person per time (including Hangzhou city and various districts and counties)
③Children's tickets: Children under 1.2 meters are free of charge and must be accompanied by an adult; children between 1.2-1.5 meters are half price
📅 Operating hours: 09:00-16:30
⛵Departures: 9:30, 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 12:00, 12:30, 13:00, 13:30, 14:00, 14:30, 15:00, 15:30, 16:00
⏱Travel time: Approximately 15 minutes
⭐ Suitable for people: Due to the opening hours of the cruise ship, it is more suitable for leisure travel on weekends and holidays
① The shuttle boat does not stop at the scenic spot, but the tour boat stops at the "Three Pools Mirroring the Moon" and includes the ticket for the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, so it is more suitable for citizens who want to wander around West Lake casually.
② The shuttle boat ticket is 5 yuan per ticket, and the ticket is a one-way ticket. You can choose whether to return and continue to take the boat. The cruise package includes round-trip tickets.
③Ferry services operate on weekends and statutory holidays. Except for the 11:30 a.m. service, the rest of the services run every half hour.
Picture @Xiaohongshu—Little Cousin in Hangzhou
The West Lake Circle Tour has been a hit since its launch in October 2021! This new, multi-stop boat tour, featuring benefits, depth, and convenience, has even longtime Hangzhou residents eager to experience this new and lesser-known way to cruise the lake!
The lakeside tour, with the cultural landscape of West Lake as its backdrop and West Lake cruises as its vehicle, weaves together numerous classic scenic spots, including the "Ten Scenic Spots of West Lake" from the Southern Song Dynasty, the "Eighteen Scenic Spots of West Lake" from the Qing Dynasty, the "New Ten Scenic Spots of West Lake," and the "Three Reviews of the Ten Scenic Spots of West Lake," allowing the tour to be imbued with cultural connotations.
Starting from Tingwan Horseback Riding and Shooting (Park 1), the route stops at Lakeside Sunny and Rainy Days (Park 5), Broken Bridge with Remaining Snow (Children's Palace), Calm Lake in Autumn Moon (Zhongshan Park), Full Moon over Flowers (Hangzhou Hotel), Winding Courtyard with Lotus (Guozhuang), Water Scenery in Mao Township (Former Residence of Du Jinsheng), Eighteen Farewells at Flower Harbor Watching Fish (Changqiao), and Qian Temple of Loyalty (Qianwang Temple), and finally returns to Tingwan Horseback Riding and Shooting (Park 1).
Tips:
⛵Ferry ticket price: 6-8 yuan per stop, children under 1.2 meters are free and must be accompanied by an adult; children between 1.2-1.5 meters are half price, and the lake tour is 70 yuan
📍Ticket purchase point: You can purchase tickets at any of the 10 stops along the way. You can choose to board or disembark at any stop, or you can choose to tour around the lake
📅Flights and times
①Autumn and winter (November to March): 8:30 - 15:30
② Spring and summer schedule (April to October): 8:30 - 16:00, boats depart every half hour
⭐ Suitable for the crowd: If other cruises can no longer satisfy your exploration of Hangzhou, then this line is very suitable for you, locals, and those who love in-depth tours of Hangzhou. Highly recommended!
"Surrounding West Lake, Recreating Shangxiangshui Road"
This is the first time that a West Lake cruise has launched a route around the lake. In addition to including many popular attractions, it also connects many niche attractions. It not only breaks the limitation that cruise ships can only visit the outer lake in the past, but the route also goes deep into the water conditions of Maoxiang at the westernmost end of the West Lake.
Historically, Hangzhou residents living in the city would visit Lingyin Temple to burn incense. Since there was no land access to this section, they could only take a boat and then walk to the temple. This is the Shangxiangshui Road, which once served as the route to Lingyin Temple. Large boats cannot enter this section, so the water is exceptionally clear. The reeds and withered lotus leaves on the lake are a hallmark of Maojiabu.
In addition, you can also explore the 317,000 square meters of West Lake "Underwater Forest" on the boat and learn the secret of West Lake's excellent ecological environment. The West Lake Underwater Forest is the Maojiabu Aquatic Plant Reserve. When you pass by by boat, you can clearly see the artificially planted aquatic plants floating in groups of three or two underwater. Along the way, nature and humanity are organically combined, and you can both see the scenery and learn a lesson.
This route takes the cultural landscape of West Lake as its backdrop and uses a West Lake cruise as its carrier, connecting many classic attractions. There are attractions near each pier, so you can arrange where to start or where to disembark.
① Broken Bridge with Snow
Broken Bridge with Residual Snow is the closest point to the Broken Bridge and Baidi Causeway, and is also very close to Beishan Street.
②Autumn Moon over Calm Lake
If you want to go to Gushan, you can get off here. There are Zhejiang Provincial Museum and West Lake Art Museum nearby, which is also a good place to take your kids for a stroll.
There is also the century-old Xiling Seal Society on Gushan, the Xiling Bridge, one of the three great lovers' bridges, and the Wenlan Pavilion, one of the seven great book pavilions in the country, built during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty to house the Siku Quanshu.
Next to Wenlan Pavilion is Zhongshan Park, and the surrounding areas, such as the ruins of the Qing Dynasty Palace and Jingyi Academy, are full of red maples and ginkgo trees. This is a great place to see the red leaves in autumn.
Picture @Xiaohongshu—jamie-sauce
③Quyuan Fenghe
Crossing this station is Yue Lake, where you can enjoy lotus blossoms in the summer, cherry blossoms in the spring, and golden metasequoia in the fall. Get off the boat here and take your children to Quyuan Fengheli, where you can take an electric boat and enjoy a slice of West Lake.
④ Water conditions in Mao Township
This is the place where the water route turned into land route. If you want to get off the boat and experience the wildness, you can choose this stop.
Picture @Xiaohongshu - Little Bear Check-in Diary
⑤ Watching Fish at Flower Harbor
This is the longest section of the waterway around the lake, and you can sit there for more than ten minutes to fully enjoy it! It also crosses multiple waters of West Lake, experiencing the tranquility of the Inner West Lake and the expansiveness of the Outer West Lake.
The oldest and most relaxing way to explore West Lake is by rowing a boat, manned by professionally trained boatmen and boatwomen. While rowing, you can chat and learn about West Lake's history and stories, as well as learn more about authentic Hangzhou travel guides.
① Rowing boat pier
There are many docks for rowing boats. You can basically find one if you walk a short distance along the West Lake.
The second lakeside pier, the fifth lakeside pier, the Broken Bridge pier, the Provincial Museum pier, the Louwailou pier, the Hangfan pier, the Majiawan pier, the Qianwang Temple pier, and the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon north pier.
② Open dock for rowing boats
The rowing boat docks are mainly located in the area of Lixihu Lake and Xinxihu Lake.
Majiawan, Hangfan, Huagangli, and the lakeside docks in the waters of West Lake and New West Lake within Su Causeway.
Image @Xiaohongshu—Ruohan doesn't stay up late
Tips:
💸Charge Standard:
Rowing boat: 150/boat/hour (can seat 6 people, including infants)
Rowboat 180/boat/hour (can seat 8 people, including infants)
⏱The minimum rental period is 1 hour. If the rental period exceeds 1 hour, the charge will be halved. If the rental period is less than 30 minutes, the charge will be halved. The charge will remain unchanged during holidays.
If you want to visit the island, you need to buy a separate ticket to visit the island. The waiting time for tourists to visit the island will be included in the boat time.
①Classic mass route
After a cruise around West Lake, you can visit Xiaoyingzhou Island and see famous West Lake attractions such as the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon up close.
Image @Xiaohongshu—Ruohan doesn't stay up late
② Treasure Niche Route 1.0
Flower Harbor Fishing Viewing - Yuhu Bay - Turtle Pond - Yanggong Causeway - Flower Harbor Fishing Viewing
This line will pass through nine bridges including the Kuahong Bridge and the Jihong Bridge, and pass through four areas of West Lake, offering peace and tranquility in the bustling city with clear blue waters.
Image @Xiaohongshu—Ruohan doesn't stay up late
③ Treasure Niche Route 2.0
Wolong Bridge Wharf - Quyuan Fenghe - Maojiabu - Quyuan Fenghe - Guozhuang
This is a separate rowing route, taking the waterway of the Shangxiang Ancient Road. It is like the Wizard of Oz along the way, and it is more quiet and niche.
Tips:
❤Tips
As the safety and order of the West Lake waters are improved through smart digital empowerment, every rowboat on the West Lake has its own unique QR code.
Once you’re on board, you can scan the QR code on board to start your journey directly and get your exclusive electronic journey information.
Self-propelled boats are electrically powered and require no human intervention, making them the perfect way to enjoy the freedom of sailing on West Lake. Currently, self-propelled boat tours are available in Xili Lake, Changqiao Bay, and Beili Lake.
Image @Xiaohongshu—Ruohan doesn't stay up late
Although the boat area is small and you can't see the entire West Lake, it is very suitable for parents, families, and couples to play. At each boat dock, you can see different scenery, and you can also choose the boat that suits you.
Tips:
Ticket price: 30 yuan/half hour Ticket sales time: 8:00-16:00
📍Boat terminals: Xilihu Pier, Changqiaowan Pier, Beilihu Pier
💸Billing standards:
The minimum rental price for Xili Lake and Changqiao Bay is 30 yuan per half hour, and the maximum number of people is 4 (including infants and young children).
The minimum rental price for Beili Lake is 30 yuan per half hour. There are 4-passenger and 6-passenger boats for you to choose from (including infants and young children).
⭐ Suitable for: Family travel, couple travel, friends travel, etc. are recommended
📞Boat Inquiry Phone:
①Changqiaowan Self-service Boat Terminal: 13456874384
② Xili Lake Self-service Boat Terminal: 15336505108
③Beili Lake Self-service Boat Terminal: 87967737
Self-rowing boat allows you to experience the joy of "rowing a boat" in the West Lake, rowing slowly with your own hands and exploring the beautiful West Lake.
Picture @Xiaohongshu - A cute thing
Tips:
📍Boat Terminal: Search for "Lakeside Park Rowing Terminal"
💸Charging standard: 30 yuan per hour/boat, 1 hour minimum rental (limited to 5 people, including infants and young children)
📞Boat enquiry hotline: 87026538
⭐ Suitable for: Family travel, couples travel, friends travel are all recommended. Rowing requires a certain amount of physical strength. If you are not confident in yourself, you can choose to drive the boat yourself
Finally, in order to facilitate your reference, the thoughtful You Xiaoxia has also specially compiled a summary of 8 West Lake cruise boarding points, which is recommended for collection!
Picture @Discover Hangzhou
Who would have thought there were so many tricks to boating on West Lake? Even a local who has lived in Hangzhou for decades might not know all the tricks. Remember to save this post and find a nice day to go boating on the lake together!
