Zhejiang | Hangzhou West Lake Travel Guide

| Hangzhou West Lake Travel Guide. ✍🏻 Attraction Introduction:
As one of China's first national key scenic spots, a 5A-level tourist attraction (2007), and a UNESCO World Heritage Site (2011), Hangzhou's West Lake is one of the three famous lakes in Jiangnan, renowned for its "perfect blend of natural scenery and cultural heritage."

1. "One Mountain, Two Pagodas, Three Islands, Three Causeways, and Five Lakes"
- One Mountain: Solitary Hill (largest island in the lake)
- Two Pagodas: Leifeng Pagoda (Sunset Hill) and Baochu Pagoda (Precious Stone Hill)
- Three Islands: Lesser Yingzhou (Three Pools Mirroring the Moon), Mid-Lake Pavilion, and Ruan Gong Islet
- Three Causeways:
- Su Causeway (built by Su Shi of the Northern Song Dynasty, lined with peach and willow trees in spring; "Spring Dawn on Su Causeway" is the top of the Ten Scenes)
- Bai Causeway (commemorating Bai Juyi, connecting Broken Bridge and Autumn Moon on Calm Lake)
- Yanggong Causeway (built by Ming Dynasty water conservancy expert Yang Mengying)
- Five Lakes: Outer West Lake, West Inner Lake, North Inner Lake, Little South Lake, and Yue Lake

2.1 Ten Scenes of West Lake
- Covering all seasons and times of day, including:
- Spring Dawn on Su Causeway (spring)
- Breeze-Ruffled Lotus at Quyuan Garden (summer lotus blended with wine fragrance)
- Autumn Moon on Calm Lake (where Bai Causeway meets Solitary Hill)
- Melting Snow on Broken Bridge (starting point of Bai Causeway, legendary meeting place of Xu Xian and Lady White Snake)
- Three Pools Mirroring the Moon (iconic view on Lesser Yingzhou, featured on the back of China's 1-yuan bill)
- Leifeng Pagoda in Evening Glow (sunset view of Leifeng Pagoda)
- Evening Bell at Nanping Hill (bell chimes from Jingci Temple)

2.2 Famous Temples and Historic Sites
- Lingyin Temple: Built during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, one of China's top ten ancient Buddhist temples.
- Jingci Temple: One of the four great temples of the Southern Song Dynasty, home to the Evening Bell at Nanping Hill.

📍 Address:
No. 1 Longjing Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou, surrounded by mountains on three sides and adjacent to the city to the east.

🕐️ Opening Hours: Open all day

🎟️ Ticket Fees:
- Main West Lake area: Free
- Separate fees for some attractions:
- Lingyin Temple: ¥75
- Leifeng Pagoda: ¥40
- Yuewang Temple: ¥25
- Three Pools Mirroring the Moon (boat ticket + island access): ¥55 (regular boat) or ¥70 (luxury painted boat)

🚗 Transportation Guide:
- Public Transport: Metro Line 1 to Longxiangqiao Station for direct access to the lakeside; Metro Line 3 to Huanglongdong Station for a walk to Precious Stone Hill overlooking the lake. Multiple bus routes are available, including the Y1/Y2 lake loop line.
- Cycling: Free for the first hour with scenic area bikes, returnable within electronic zones. Recommended route: Su Causeway → Yanggong Causeway → Longjing Village.
- Driving: Parking fees are ¥10/hour during the day. Park at Huanglong Sports Center and take the free shuttle.

🏕️ Nearby Attractions:
Leifeng Pagoda, Lingyin Temple, Longjing Village, Jingci Temple

🍽️ Local Cuisine:
1. Must-try Hangzhou dishes:
- West Lake Vinegar Fish
- Dongpo Pork
- Pian Er Chuan (noodle soup)
- Dingsheng Cake
Recommended restaurants:
- Historic: Louwailou (No. 30 Gushan Road), Zhiweiguan
- Budget-friendly: Xinbailu (Hubin Intime), Grandma's Home
2. Food streets:
- Hefang Street/Southern Song Imperial Street: Traditional snacks
- Wulin Night Market: Trendy snacks (best after 7 PM)

🏘️ Accommodation:
- Luxury: West Lake State Guest House, Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake (average ¥1500+)
- Boutique B&Bs: Hangzhou Ruye Homestay (¥200-300), Lingyin Xianting Inn.
- Budget areas:
- Near Longxiangqiao Metro Station: Vienna International Hotel, etc., 10-minute walk to West Lake
- Near Huanglong Sports Center: Convenient for drivers.

💗 Tips:
- Driving restrictions: Odd-even license plate system on weekends (8 AM-5 PM). Use park-and-ride lots.
- Avoid scams: Decline unlicensed guides, confirm tea house prices before ordering.
- Seasonal recommendations:
- Spring (Mar-May): Cherry blossoms on Su Causeway, tulips at Prince Bay.
- Summer (Jun-Aug): Lotus at Quyuan Garden, water play at Nine Creeks.
- Autumn (Sep-Nov): Osmanthus at Manjuelong, plane trees on Beishan Street.
- Winter (Dec-Feb): Snow on Broken Bridge, plum blossoms at Lingfeng.