After visiting Slender West Lake four times, I finally figured it all out!

As the iconic landmark of Yangzhou, Slender West Lake is renowned for its exquisite "garden-on-lake" layout and poetic scenery. After four in-depth visits, I've compiled this foolproof guide to help you avoid crowds and unlock the best experiences!

📍 Address

No. 28, Dahongqiao Road, Hanjiang District, Yangzhou City, Jiangsu Province

Adjacent to the Shugang-Slender West Lake Scenic Area, it connects with attractions like Daming Temple and Han Tomb Museum.

🚌 Transportation Guide

- By Air/Train: Take the tourist shuttle bus directly to the South Gate from Yangzhou Taizhou Airport or Yangzhou Railway Station. From Yangzhou East High-Speed Rail Station, take Bus You1.
- By Car: Navigate to the West Gate Parking Lot (ample spaces). South Gate has limited parking, so arrive early.
- City Buses: Routes 103, 6, and others go directly to "Slender West Lake Bus Station."

🌊 Scenic Area Overview

Originally named "Bao Zhang Lake," Slender West Lake got its current name from a Qing Dynasty poem. The 4.3-km winding waterway blends Sui-Tang canal heritage with Qing garden art, featuring 14 major sites forming a picturesque "flowers and willows along the water, towers and terraces leading to mountains" scene. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014.

Key Highlights:

- 🌉 Five-Pavilion Bridge: One of China's most beautiful ancient bridges, with 15 arches reflecting 15 moons;
- ⛩️ Fishing Platform: Classic framed view capturing both Five-Pavilion Bridge and White Pagoda;
- ⛲ Twenty-Four Bridge: Celebrated by poet Du Mu, 24 meters long with 24 steps—a must for number enthusiasts.

🗺️ Travel Tips

✅ Route Planning (Choose based on time)

1. Half-Day Express (3 hours) South Gate → Long Dike Spring Willows → Xu Garden → Small Golden Hill → Fishing Platform → Five-Pavilion Bridge → North Gate. Ideal for photographers focusing on key sites.
2. Full-Day Tour (5-6 hours) South Gate → Long Dike Spring Willows → Xu Garden → Small Golden Hill → Five-Pavilion Bridge → White Pagoda → Xichun Terrace → Twenty-Four Bridge → Garden of Ten Thousand Flowers → Bonsai Museum → North Gate. Covers 90% of highlights; take a boat ride in the afternoon to enjoy Yangzhou folk songs.
3. Night Tour (19:00-21:00) Dreamlike illuminated pavilions, with laser water shows at Five-Pavilion Bridge and Xichun Terrace.

📸 Photography Tips

- Enter before 7 AM for crowd-free shots of Five-Pavilion Bridge and Fishing Platform;
- Wear Hanfu or light-colored outfits to contrast with red railings and gray tiles;
- Use a telephoto lens to capture eaves' wind chimes and birds in flight.

⚠️ Recommendations

1. Tickets:
- Peak season (Mar-May): ¥100; Off-season: ¥60. Buy online to skip lines.
- Night tour: ¥120 (separate ticket).
2. Timing:
- Best seasons: Mar-May (peach blossoms) & Sep-Nov (autumn foliage);
- Hours: Day tour 6:00-19:30 (last entry 19:00); Night tour 19:00-21:00.
3. Tips:
- Wear comfy shoes! Expect over 15,000 steps.
- Transport: Sightseeing cars (¥20/section) or boats (¥50 one-way; recommended route: South Gate → Twenty-Four Bridge).

🍜 Food Recommendations

Authentic Huaiyang cuisine near Slender West Lake:

- Quyuan Teahouse (2-Black Pearl Diamond): Must-try: Layered Oil Cake, Crab Roe Soup Dumplings, Jade Dumplings. 📍 Inside Yingbin Hotel; book breakfast 7 days ahead.
- Yangzhou Banquet (opposite East Gate): Must-try: Lion’s Head with Crab Roe, Yangzhou Fried Rice, Eel in Sizzling Oil. Dine with traditional performances.
- Xiangyuan Teahouse (budget-friendly near West Gate): Must-try: Giant Crab Roe Soup Dumplings, Shrimp Wontons. Open all day.

Snack lovers: Visit Dongguan Street for lotus root balls, plum cakes, and three-dice buns.

🛏️ Accommodation

- Luxury: Yangzhou Slender West Lake Hot Spring Resort (38 Changchun Road), with private hot springs.
- Boutique: Blossom Hill Inn (near Dongguan Street), renovated Ming-Qing courtyard, great for night strolls.
- Budget: Hongqiao Hot Spring Hotel, 5 mins to East Gate, includes breakfast + hot spring tickets.

🏯 Nearby Must-Sees

1. Daming Temple (10-min walk): Where Jianzhen preached before sailing to Japan. Climb Qiling Pagoda for panoramic views. 🎫 ¥48.
2. Han Guangling Tomb Museum (8-min drive): Original Western Han tomb site featuring unique "Huangchang Ticou" burial. 🎫 ¥30.
3. China Grand Canal Museum (15-min drive): Immersive canal exhibits. Rooftop garden has stunning sunsets (free, book ahead).
4. Dongguan Street Historic District (10-min drive): Cobblestone path linking salt merchant mansions, magical at night.

💎 Final Thoughts

Four visits taught me: Slender West Lake’s beauty lies in details and pacing!

✨ Details: Framed views at Fishing Platform, moon reflections on Five-Pavilion Bridge, seasonal changes on Long Dike.

⏳ Pacing: Enter early to avoid crowds, rest with tea at noon, boat at dusk for sunset.

Follow this guide to transform from "tourist" to "immortal in a painting"~