"Just 1.5 hours from Hangzhou to the 'Little Kamakura'! A 2-day, 1-night nanny-level guide to Qiandao Lake

On crisp autumn days,
I've been wanting to get out and about,
But as a working person, vacation time is limited.
So I went to Qiandao Lake for a weekend trip.
No need to take leave ✅ High-speed train direct access,
A brief escape from the city's hustle and bustle,
The healing scenery of lakes and mountains
Is truly beautiful and relaxing!
For just over 500 RMB per person, you can enjoy a perfect holiday with lake cycling, lighthouse sunset, and secret garden✨
Save this guide to help you avoid the crowds and explore the most beautiful Qiandao Lake!"

🚗 Detailed Transportation Guide
🚅 High-speed train (top choice): Hangzhou East → Qiandao Lake Station, 💰140 RMB/person, about 1.5 hours. After exiting, you can take the hotel shuttle bus or a taxi (about 30 RMB to downtown), convenient and fast.
🚘 Self-driving: About 2 hours from Hangzhou, car rental averages 200 RMB/day, parking is convenient and mostly free at Qiandao Lake attractions, ideal for flexible travel.

💡 Money-saving travel tips
✔ Buy Qiandao Lake scenic area combo tickets (admission + boat) online 1 day in advance to save 20-50 RMB compared to on-site!
✔ Choose a lakeside homestay with a balcony, great value, open the window to see the lake, and you can stay well for just over 100 RMB per person~
✔ Rent an electric bike to cycle around the lake, 50-80 RMB per day, stop and take photos freely, more flexible and cost-effective than taxis!

🌿【DAY 1】Natural Aesthetic Journey

🕙10:00 Qiandao Lake Botanical Garden🌳 (Admission 30 RMB)
- A forest-like secret garden, perfect for forest-style photos! Recommended to wear a white dress and straw hat to instantly get a Studio Ghibli-like scene.
- The garden has a peacock and deer enclosure where you can interact and feed (carrot sticks recommended to bring).
- The sunlight is softest around 4-5 PM; sitting on a bench to take photos with beautiful light and shadow 🤳🏻
- ⏰ Suggested visit time: 2-3 hours

🕑14:00 Qiandao Lake Famous Lighthouse📸 (Free)
- The blue and white lighthouse contrasts beautifully with the lake; recommended to start shooting at 4 PM when the sunset reflects on the water for a full atmosphere!
- Nearby are rainbow stairs and European-style buildings, you can pretend you’re in Santorini~
- 📍 Navigate to "Beer Town," the lighthouse is by the lakeside in the town.
- ⚠️ Note: The lighthouse interior is not open; best photo spots are on the lakeside rocky beach.

💐【DAY 2】Secret Realm Exploration

🕘10:00 Qiandao Lake Ideal Garden💐 (Admission 40 RMB)
- A secret garden hidden by the lake! Rose walls, Monet pond, glass greenhouse… every corner looks like an oil painting!
- Remember to bring a light-colored dress; there’s a café in the garden where you can enjoy a latte while admiring the flowers, very pleasant~
- 📍 Location is a bit remote; taxi or self-driving recommended.

🕒14:00 Tianyu Mountain Viewing Platform🌄 (Escalator combo ticket 80 RMB)
- Take the escalator straight to the top to overlook the "All Under Heaven" archipelago wonder!
- Recommended to wear sneakers; when there’s a sea of clouds at the top, it looks like a fairyland. The escalator is a must for photos!
- 🌅 Best viewing time: sunny days from 4 PM to 6 PM (summer offers sunset views).

🐟【Food Recommendations】Locally Certified
✅ Taoli·Chunyu Direct Store: Classic two-ways fish dish
✅ Old Fisherman’s Country Cuisine: Full farmhouse flavor
✅ Qingxi Renjia: Authentic Chun’an cuisine
✅ Buzaike Old Second Floor: Great value choice
✅ Quanle Fish Restaurant·Chunyu Direct Store: Fresh fish made to order
✅ Koutou Chan·Chunyu Direct Store: Specialty fish head pot

🏨【Accommodation Guide】
✅ Central Lake Area: Well-equipped, near night tour docks and Qilong Alley, suitable for first-timers
✅ Southeast Lake Area: Private resort feel, around Kaiyuan Resort, ideal for couples and families
✅ Along the High-speed Rail Line: Qiandao Lake Anlu / Intercontinental, suitable for self-driving tourists
❌ Avoid: In peak season, be cautious choosing street-facing rooms, as evening cruise music can be noisy.

📌【Essentials】
Sunscreen + sun hat | Mosquito repellent | Comfortable sports shoes | Camera | A small amount of carrot sticks (to feed small animals)

"A two-day, one-night trip to Qiandao Lake was truly healing!
From forest secrets to lakes and mountains, from lighthouse sunsets to mountain sea of clouds,
Every moment is worth cherishing💫"