🚤✨ Cruising West Lake – A Classic Hangzhou Experience ✨🚤

No trip to Hangzhou is complete without a West Lake cruise. Gliding across the calm waters, you’ll see why poets and painters for centuries were captivated by this UNESCO World Heritage site.

🌊 Cruise Options
• You can take large boats with commentary (¥50 or 70) or hop on smaller painted boats for a more intimate ride.
• Choose a full loop (about 1 hour) or short point-to-point rides between scenic spots.

📍 Highlights Along the Way
• Three Pools Mirroring the Moon (三潭印月) – the symbol of West Lake, even featured on the ¥1 banknote. Best seen from the boat when the stone pagodas reflect in the water.
• Leifeng Pagoda (雷峰塔) – the legendary tower linked with the Legend of the White Snake. Its golden glow is especially magical near sunset.
• Viewing Fish at Flower Pond (花港观鱼) – lush gardens and koi-filled ponds right by the lakeside.
• Broken Bridge (断桥残雪) – the most famous bridge in West Lake legends, where Xu Xian and Bai Suzhen first met.
• Su Causeway (苏堤春晓) – a sweeping embankment dotted with willows and blossoms, perfect to admire from the water.

⏰ Best Time
Morning cruises are serene with fewer crowds, while sunset cruises offer golden reflections and a romantic vibe.

📸 Tip: If you can, take the smaller rowing boat (小画舫船) — the boatmen often share stories and poetry, giving you a real taste of Hangzhou culture.

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