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There's paradise above, and Suzhou and Hangzhou below. When people think of Hangzhou, the first thing that comes to mind is the beautiful scenery of West Lake and the Broken Bridge. But Hangzhou's beauty extends beyond West Lake. Today, we'll introduce you to a new destination. It rivals Guilin and rivals Taihu Lake in beauty. This is Qiandao Lake, where Nongfu Spring sources its water.
Qiandao Lake, known for its high-quality water among China's major rivers and lakes, is a nationally recognized Class-A water body, meeting drinking water standards without any treatment. It is hailed as "the most beautiful water in the world." Its vast expanse of emerald waters, thousands of islands, deep harbors, lush forests, and valleys and rock formations complement each other, creating a world-renowned island-lake landscape. The lake, shaped like a tree branch, boasts 1,078 islands of varying shapes, scattered sparsely and densely, forming a meticulously arranged archipelago. It is China's largest artificial lake.
Thousands of mountains and rivers truly embody Qiandao Lake. Its stunning beauty is undeniable. Besides boating and island-viewing, immersing yourself in the natural beauty, there are also numerous recreational facilities and a variety of activities to enjoy! Today, I'll share a few more ways to enjoy Qiandao Lake, allowing you to rediscover it from the wild.
Cycling is a common outdoor sport in modern times, but would you be excited to ride in Qiandao Lake and see the mountains and rivers along the way?
The Thousand Island Lake Cycling Greenway is 138km long. In order to protect the ecological environment as much as possible, Chun'an County did not dig mountains or fill lakes when building the Thousand Island Lake Cycling Greenway. Instead, it built 11 new bridges across the lake and constructed 2 mountain tunnels. Construction and greening were carried out simultaneously. After the completion of this road, it was selected as the "Most Beautiful Road" in Zhejiang Province.
Always ride within your capabilities, warm up thoroughly beforehand, and ideally, prepare professional cycling gear. Always wear a helmet. If you want to enjoy the scenery along the way, we recommend the Chunyang Line, which boasts stunning scenery. Simply grab your phone and take in the stunning views.
Take a helicopter tour and experience a unique perspective. Everything is ready. The pilot boards the aircraft, and passengers, accompanied by a safety officer, approach the helicopter and board. The takeoff and landing process takes about ten minutes, allowing you to enjoy the aerial scenery of Qiandao Lake, with its stunning scenery and mountains.
With the development of tourism, multi-faceted travel experiences are gradually emerging. If you don’t want to go to a scenic spot and see the crowds of people, you can choose to take an aerial tour. The scenery from this angle will definitely leave you with full memories.
The central area of Qiandao Lake is renowned for its lush green mountains, picturesque waters, unique caves, peculiar rock formations, and beautiful people. This vast area boasts 1,078 emerald islands, and the reflections of distant mountains within the lake are picturesque, making it a perfect spot for a boat tour. Charter a yacht and sail out onto the expansive waters, where white waves splash across the azure waters, and small islands pass by outside the window, offering a private immersion in the sunshine, water, and air of Qiandao Lake.
A gentle breeze ripples the water, like a frozen, magnificent embroidery. The mountains rise and fall, their peaks overlapping, creating a poetic and picturesque scene. Distant peaks, shrouded in mist, seem to blend into one, creating a sense of tranquility and mystery. The rolling hills resemble a beautiful scroll, showcasing the wonder and magnificence of nature.
If you were to ask what water activities have been the hottest in recent years, it would undoubtedly be kayaking and paddleboarding, especially in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions, where numerous rivers and lakes offer excellent boating conditions. Qiandao Lake, renowned for its beautiful waters, is undoubtedly a prime example of this trend. Nearly every tourist attraction along the lake, even some high-end hotels, offer these activities.
Here you can learn kayaking systematically with professional coaches and feel the charm of kayaking. Surrounded by mountains, you can gallop briskly on the lake. Interesting water games can easily bring you closer to your friends.
Or you can paddle a kayak far away, and when the only sounds in the world are the wind and the sound of waves hitting the shore of the island, you will feel as if you are far away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Hidden on the shores of Qiandao Lake lies a captivating tourist destination: Qiandao Lake Beer Town. More than just a beer paradise, it's a feast of joy and delicious food, a comprehensive town that blends knowledge, fun, entertainment, fashion, and leisure.
Known for its beer culture and music, this area boasts European-style architecture. Here, you can not only savor the aroma of beer but also experience a rich cultural atmosphere. Nearby, there are also several other attractions and popular check-in spots.
Although the museum is small, it is very interactive; it has various interactive activities, movies, VR, wine tasting... Here you can also learn how each bottle of beer is brewed, and take beautiful pictures while learning knowledge.
The internet-famous lighthouse in Qiandao Lake has a very European flavor. The road leading to the lighthouse is a transparent glass plank bridge. Looking at the white tower against the backdrop of the lake, it looks particularly romantic. This is a great place to take pictures!
The Burning Engine Racing Theme Park is China's first lakeside racing theme park; here you can experience the fun of racing around the lake, as well as indoor and outdoor karting, hot air ballooning and other activities.
Cycle along the Qiandao Lake Greenway, visit the time tunnel of Qiandao Lake Scenic Area, and experience the profound mysteries of the underwater ancient city of Lion City!
This is a cultural science and technology experience tourism product that integrates cultural education and popular science, immersive intelligent interactive experience, leisure sightseeing and entertainment. The entire tunnel corridor consists of three major sections: underwater ancient city, flying over Qiandao Lake, and four seasons wonderland.
The first part of the "Time Tunnel" is 60 meters long, simulating the transformation of the universe and recreating the ancient city of Qiandao Lake. The 360-degree fully enclosed immersive space, the Thousand Islands scenery with shimmering water and misty mountains, gives people an immersive feeling.
Flying over Qiandao Lake: Through the shocking sound effects and ups and downs of the plot, we can experience the shocking scene of the flood submerging the ancient city.
The wonders of the four seasons: Spring, summer, autumn and winter change in the blink of an eye. One second there are birds singing and flowers blooming, the next second the ground is covered with golden color, and in the blink of an eye it snows heavily. It is overwhelming.
If you come to Qiandao Lake for a visit, you must come and experience it if you have the chance. Start an immersive journey and feel the wonderful and dreamy Qiandao Lake Time Tunnel.
While cycling in Qiandao Lake, I walked into the Qiandao Lake Natural History Museum with a heart that wanted to explore the mysteries of nature. This museum is a comprehensive natural history museum that integrates nature viewing, scientific research, and science popularization. It allowed me to feel the perfect combination of the beauty of nature and the power of technology.
Upon entering the museum, the first thing that catches your eye is a variety of rare animal specimens and plant samples. From soaring birds to lurking fish, from lush forests to remote deserts, the various natural ecological scenes make you feel as if you are there.
The museum's exhibitions are very rich, covering topics such as the evolution of the Earth, the evolution of life, and the birth of humanity. Through multimedia displays, interactive experiences, and physical displays, I gained a deeper understanding of the mysteries of nature and the evolution of life.
If you're curious about natural science and want to learn more about the mysteries of Earth and life, then don't miss the Qiandao Lake Natural History Museum. Here you'll experience the charm of nature and the power of technology, and appreciate the harmonious coexistence of humans and nature.
Ideal Garden, by the name, suggests a beautiful place. Here, you can stay and camp, enjoy afternoon tea, and take photos amidst the sea of flowers. Bring friends and family for a barbecue or a date, or enjoy afternoon tea together. Take photos and check in to impress your friends.
Cycling to Qiandao Lake's Xiushui Street, a provincial-level cultural and creative district, it integrates tourism distribution, leisure and entertainment, folk performances, cultural experiences, and specialty shopping. Xiling Study has settled here, complementing and enhancing the two.
This is a public welfare-oriented cultural space where people can visit, read, drink tea, practice calligraphy, play the guqin, and more. There are also some cultural and creative products available. Here you can read books, drink tea, learn and communicate. It is a perfect place to spend a quiet afternoon. If you have the opportunity to visit Xiushui Street, this Xiling Study is worth a visit.
Huangshan Peak is renowned for its unique location. Just 8 kilometers from Qiandaohu Town and directly adjacent to the Xianshan Tourist Resort, this geographical advantage makes Huangshan Peak a popular destination for tourists. Standing atop the main peak, you can take in the breathtaking scenery of Qiandao Lake and its surroundings, appreciating the grandeur of nature.
Huangshan Peak is known for its "water beauty" because of its abundant water resources, including not only the water from Qiandao Lake but also numerous mountain springs and streams.
Here, you can stroll along the stream, admire the clear mountain spring water, and feel the fresh air of nature. Huangshan Peak is known as the "Island Wonder" for a reason. Nestled within Thousand Island Lake, it appears as if a magical island is suspended above the surface. From a distance, the peak appears like a fairyland, surrounded by the lake, akin to a paradise on earth.
At the top of Huangshan Mountain, you can choose to hike or find a quiet corner, sit down, close your eyes, and listen to your heartbeat and the sounds of nature. This kind of tranquility is a rare and precious experience in city life.
For this trip to Qiandao Lake, I chose the Minghao International Resort Hotel, a hotel with a superb location. With its neo-Chinese-style rooms and courtyard design, comfortable and high-quality resort facilities, it's a perfect place for a family vacation! The large carp sculpture in front of the hotel is truly spectacular. Entering the lobby, you'll find an elegant atrium, complete with a dazzling water curtain show featuring ever-changing lights at regular intervals.
In addition to enjoying the boundless views of Qiandao Lake, the hotel also boasts its own inner lake, so no matter which room type you choose, you'll have direct access to the beautiful lake view! The rooms are also comfortable and upscale! Spacious and equipped with bathtubs, the rooms feature a sophisticated neo-Chinese style with well-defined functional areas, separate dressing rooms, a washroom, and Bulgari toiletries.
Having stayed at many high-end hotels, I can say without hesitation that the children's playground here has the most comprehensive and diverse range of activities of any hotel I've ever stayed in! Besides the giant play area that little ones will love, there are also go-karts for older kids to ride, and even an indoor CS game center. The huge play area is perfect for all the little ones to have fun, with competitions, crafts, adventures, DIY, and more! It's the perfect place for all the little ones to have fun!
If you're looking to escape city life for a while, the Qiandao Lake Yunshuige Boutique Hotel is a great choice. Outside, amidst the misty rain, you can soak in the natural beauty of nature from the floor-to-ceiling windows. Besides the huge windows in the room, there's also a bar with a mountain view. It's definitely worth a stay.
Visitors to Qiandao Lake naturally prefer to enjoy the company of their loved ones in a quiet environment. All guest rooms at Yunshuige are ideal for families, friends, or families on vacation. Mobile phone signals are blocked, eliminating distractions. Such a unique Yunshuige experience is hard to forget.
Located in the heart of Qiandao Lake, Bluetown Qiandaohu Jun Anyi Resort is surrounded by the lake on three sides and boasts a peninsula, offering stunning views and excellent value. Its elegant, white European-style décor and romantic infinity pool are perfect for photo ops. Enjoy the breathtaking views of Qiandao Lake from the balcony, and it's conveniently located near many attractions.
In addition to luxury hotels, there are many B&Bs with different styles in Qiandao Lake, Hangzhou: some are built on the mountain, some are located in bamboo forests, and some are full of literary and artistic style... The other two nights we stayed were at Chunxueju, a mountain B&B.
In Qingtian, Chun'an County, near Qiandao Lake, there are rolling hills, winding mountain roads, gurgling streams, and houses and fields. Chunxueju is nestled in this captivating landscape, surrounded by bamboo forests and mountains, adorned with autumn colors, creating a tranquil and enchanting scene.
Opening the windows, the fresh air, stagnant overnight, rushes in, refreshing the senses. The mountains, shrouded in morning mist, create a dreamlike scene. Bask in the sun on the large viewing terrace, relax on a lounge chair, and leisurely enjoy the stunning autumn mountain scenery.
As the saying goes, "live by the mountain, eat by the mountain; live by the water, eat by the water." Qiandao Lake boasts both beautiful mountains and beautiful waters, so its delicacies are unmissable! Don't miss these restaurants when you visit Qiandao Lake.
The quaint decor makes you feel like you've stepped into a Jiangnan water town. Qiandao Lake Fish Head King, a renowned restaurant on the list, features a signature chopped pepper fish head, which is absolutely stunning! The atmosphere is captivating when the large fish head is presented to you in a sedan chair, accompanied by gongs and drums.
Pure cuisine, based on Anhui and Zhejiang cuisine, two of the eight major culinary styles, is a regional cuisine that evolved around the history, culture, geography, economic products, customs, and practices of the Jiangnan region, encompassing the Xin'an River, Qiandao Lake, Fuchun River, and Qiantang River basins. It's renowned for its exquisite mountain game and lakeside dishes. Qiandao Lake is known as the "City of Caviar," and in addition to its delicious large fish heads, its caviar is also truly amazing. I highly recommend visiting Wanji, specifically for its authentic caviar.
Food is paramount to people, and when traveling, besides enjoying beautiful scenery and staying in comfortable hotels, you can't miss out on authentic cuisine. Qiandao Lake, the source of Hangzhou's drinking water, boasts undeniably high water quality. Furthermore, the scenery is breathtaking, making it a popular destination for local tours. The lake's seafood is a must-try, especially the Thousand Island Lake fish head! Qiandao Lake Fishing Circle Lakeview Restaurant, nestled right on the lakefront, offers indoor dining or, if the weather is nice, al fresco seating near the lake. There's even outdoor karaoke available!
Recommend a few must-order dishes:
Xiushui Casserole Fish Head: The famous bighead carp head from Qiandao Lake is used with tofu to make a milky white soup with a delicious taste, full of gelatinous texture, and no fishy smell. It is recommended to add some pepper to make it more enjoyable!
Gold Medal Fish Minced Pork Belly: The pork belly is soft and delicious, and the soup is delicious!
Wild river shrimp in oil on a copper plate: Authentic, crispy, tender and refreshing, so delicious you can't stop eating. Fragrant stick fish, fried wild small fish, crispy and delicious.
Air-dried meat and winter bamboo shoot soup pot: The winter bamboo shoots taste more tender than spring bamboo shoots and have a more fragrant and delicious taste.
Special sauce and pepper steamed fish maw: tough texture, sticky, sour and spicy taste
If you have the opportunity to visit Qiandao Lake, in addition to seeing the beautiful scenery and having a relaxing vacation, this delicious restaurant is also worth visiting.
In late summer and early autumn, SPACE Restaurant and Bistro, nestled on the shores of Qiandao Lake, offers a barbecue buffet, tea huddled around the fire, or, as night falls, a chance to catch up with friends over a glass of wine and upbeat music. This is probably the place where Qiandao Lake's youth gather. Free from the worries of work, it's a place where you can spend the day chatting and relaxing with friends.
Whether you take a speedboat to travel through the green waters and emerald islands, or climb to the top of Meifeng Mountain to overlook the vast blue waves; whether you hike in the forest oxygen bar to cleanse your lungs and calm your mind, or release yourself through exciting water sports; whether you stroll through the mottled ancient town to feel the lost years, or taste a bowl of the most authentic organic fish head by the lake.
In short, Qiandao Lake offers too many possibilities for travel, including beautiful scenery of lakes and mountains, water sports, forest oxygen bars, ancient towns and cities, authentic delicacies, and a variety of experience projects, which are enough for you to have different activities every day during the 3-7 day holiday, and each one will give you a different feeling.
