West Lake Travel Guide

Here is the latest 2025 West Lake travel guide, combining classic attractions with off-the-beaten-path experiences to help you efficiently plan your trip:
1. Must-Visit Attractions and Best Times
‌Broken Bridge Remnant Snow‌
A winter-only scene (December to February). Arrive before 6 a.m. to avoid crowds; after snow, the bridge looks like a silver chain lying across. Recommended photo spot: in front of "Shihan Jingshe" on Beishan Street, use a telephoto lens to capture Baoshi Hill’s Baochu Pagoda and Broken Bridge in one frame‌.
‌Three Pools Mirroring the Moon‌
Featured on the 1 RMB note, it’s recommended to take a rowboat (60 RMB/person) to the island at dusk to capture the golden sunset on Leifeng Pagoda’s top. New in 2025: AR experience—scan the stone pagoda to view ancient hydrological data‌.
‌Su Causeway in Spring Dawn‌
In March, peach blossoms and willows turn green. Ride a bike between 6:00-8:00 a.m. during the morning mist for fewer crowds and beautiful scenery. The Su Causeway is 2.8 km long; enter from the south entrance and take photos of Leifeng Pagoda and the lake at "Dongpu Bridge"‌.
2. Off-the-Beaten-Path Secret Spots
‌Maojiabu‌
A wild wetland hidden by locals, with water birds fluttering and ancient stone bridges, perfect for Hanfu photos. Recommended to combine with a day trip to "Quyuan Fenghe" to enjoy lotus flowers in summer and then visit this spot‌.
‌Jiuxi Smoke Trees‌
A 6 km hike through tea fields and streams, ending at Longjing Village where you can experience pre-Qingming tea making (late March spring picking season). The clear streams along the way make it ideal for family trips‌.
‌Baoshi Hill‌
A 20-minute climb to the top for panoramic views of West Lake, the best spot for sunrise shots. The "Yunshui Guangzhong" waterside pavilion on Beishan Street is a hidden spot for photographing the Broken Bridge’s reflection‌.
3. Transportation and Ticket Tips
‌Free Lakeside Route‌
Hubin Road → Broken Bridge → Baidi Causeway → Yang Gong Causeway and other core areas are free to access. Walking plus shared bikes can cover 6 of the 10 free scenic spots of West Lake (such as Broken Bridge Remnant Snow and Su Causeway in Spring Dawn)‌.
‌Bus and Boat Guide‌
There are 10 docks around the lake (6-8 RMB per stop), operating from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (3:30 p.m. in autumn and winter). It’s recommended to board at Yigongyuan Dock and get off at Broken Bridge to visit Baidi Causeway‌.
‌Avoiding Paid Attraction Pitfalls‌
Leifeng Pagoda (40 RMB) has an elevator to the top floor, but the ruins at the base are more worth seeing; Lingyin Temple requires a separate ticket—arrive right at 7 a.m. when it opens to avoid crowds‌.
4. Food and Accommodation
‌Hangzhou Cuisine Recommendations‌
Lou Wai Lou (Gushan Branch) for West Lake Vinegar Fish (freshly killed grass carp) and Longjing Shrimp; for budget options, try Yuewang Noodle House’s Pian’er Chuan noodles and Wushan Roast Poultry‌.
‌Accommodation Area Choices‌
Hubin business district (Shangri-La Hotel) offers convenient transportation; the west side of West Lake (Xizi Hotel) has better views; for budget travelers, choose Greentown Lakeside Villa near Lianhua Bridge‌.
5. 3-Day Itinerary Reference
Day Morning Afternoon Evening Night
Day 1 Broken Bridge → Baidi Causeway cycling Three Pools Mirroring the Moon boat tour → Huagang Fish Viewing Leifeng Pagoda night view
Day 2 Lingyin Temple blessing Longjing Village tea tasting → Jiuxi hike West Lake music fountain
Day 3 Yang Gong Causeway cycling → Guozhuang and Maojiabu picnic → Turtle Pool Before leaving, eat Xiaolongbao at Zhiweiguan
(Note: Specific activities can be adjusted by season, such as prioritizing Broken Bridge Remnant Snow in winter and focusing on Quyuan Fenghe lotus viewing in summer‌)