Hangzhou West Lake Couple's Day Trip: Ultimate Romantic & Budget-Friendly Guide

—Explore "Paradise on Earth" for just 200 RMB per person, unlocking sweet moments with hidden routes

The beauty of West Lake lies not in lavish spending, but in savoring lotus-scented breezes and strolling hand-in-hand through misty waters. This guide is specially designed for couples, uncovering free hidden gems + secret perks to brew maximum romance with minimum budget.

🚲 Full-Day Itinerary Overview
Morning Melody at Broken Bridge → Leisurely Cycling on Su Causeway → Picnic at Maojiabu → Light Play at Yuhu Bay → Sunset at Long Bridge → Lakeside Night Market
✨ Budget Core: Zero entrance fees + bus transfers, transportation costs <30 RMB/person!

🌅 Morning Secrets: Broken Bridge to Solitary Hill (7:00-9:00)
📍 Route: Broken Bridge → Beishan Street → Xiling Bridge
7:00 Chasing Light at Broken Bridge (Free)
Beat the crowds to walk hand-in-hand where Lady White Snake and Xu Xian pledged love, capturing lotus flowers and Leifeng Pagoda reflections in morning mist. Tips: The "Clouds and Waterlight" pavilion east of the bridge offers the best free viewpoint.
7:30 Republican-Era Charm on Beishan Street (Free)
Vintage street lamps and brick houses under plane trees create perfect retro couple photos. Secret spot: Lakeside stone bench opposite Xinxin Hotel frames the entire Broken Bridge.
8:30 Romantic Encounter at Xiling Bridge (Free)
Read engraved love poems near Su Xiaoxiao's tomb, admiring Solitary Hill's landscape like a painted screen, feeling the millennium-old romance of "jade buried in lakeside hills."

🚴 Late Morning Wander: Su Causeway to Maojiabu (9:30-12:00)
📍 Route: Su Causeway → Yanggong Causeway → Maojiabu
9:30 Couple's Bike Ride on Su Causeway (💰15 RMB/hour)
Rent shared bikes (choose Qingju/Hellobike for new user deposit waiver), cycling through "Six Bridges in Misty Willows." Key stops: Watch mandarin ducks at Suolan Bridge, view flower harbor red carp pool from Yingbo Bridge (free viewing area).
10:30 Picnic Time at Maojiabu (💰30 RMB/person)
Escape crowds in West Lake's "secret backyard":
→ Food: Zhimeiguan qingtuan (5 RMB) + Xinfeng Snack's shrimp wontons (12 RMB)
→ Hidden spot: Lakeside wooden path at Daise Cantian Pavilion, watching wild ducks through reeds—more serene than paid attractions.

💑 Afternoon Romance: Yuhu Bay to Long Bridge (13:30-18:00)
📍 Route: Yuhu Bay → Prince Bay → Long Bridge Park
13:30 Light Maze at Yuhu Bay (Free)
Walk through Jihong Bridge's covered water corridor—complete shade under lush canopy. Couple challenge: Find heart-shaped light reflections from three stone pagodas (requires sunny days around 14:00).
15:00 Windmill Meadow at Prince Bay (Free)
Lie on Dutch windmill-adjacent lawn sharing lotus-shaped ice cream (8 RMB), waiting for doves to perch on shoulders.
17:00 Sunset Ritual at Long Bridge (Free)
Secure Leifeng Pagoda-facing spot—legend says couples watching three sunsets here will never part when golden light melts the sky.

🌃 Night Market Magic: Hubin Intime 77 (19:00-21:00)
📍 Hubin Pedestrian Street → Musical Fountain
19:00 Dinner Under Lakeside Sky Screen (💰40 RMB/person)
→ Juying Noodle Shop's Pian Er Chuan (24 RMB) with Dingsheng cake (6 RMB), watching giant screen animations
→ Guzao Wandang's wheel cakes (8 RMB) for dessert—pearl milk tea flavor recommended
20:00 Musical Fountain Finale (Free)
Arrive 20 minutes early for front-row seats—when "Butterfly Lovers" plays, hundred-meter water curtains and pagoda lights envelop couples like butterfly wings.

💰 Couple's Expense Breakdown
Item‌Cost Details‌Total for Two
Transport‌2hr bikes + 4 bus rides‌30 RMB
Food‌Picnic + dinner + snacks‌150 RMB
Snacks‌Ice cream + pastries‌32 RMB
Misc‌Umbrella/bug spray reserve‌38 RMB
Total‌‌≈250 RMB

❤️ Exclusive Money-Saving Tips
Transport Combo: Lake-loop buses (Routes 4/31 cover all) + shared bikes; use scenic shuttle (10 RMB/segment) only for Yanggong Causeway slopes.
Off-Peak Dining: Eat between 14:00-16:00 for 30% cheaper noodles with free side dishes.
Water Refills: Bring bottles! Free drinking fountains near Solitary Hill's Crane Pavilion and Su Causeway spring tablet.
Souvenir Hack: Collect ginkgo leaves (autumn) at Xiling Seal Society, using free stamps as keepsakes.