West Lake, Hangzhou: The Complete Visitor's Guide

For a thousand years, Chinese poets have called West Lake the most beautiful place under heaven. Willow-lined causeways, temple pagodas and misty hills surround a calm lake right next to the city of Hangzhou, just one hour from Shanghai by high-speed train.

Highlights around the lake

• Su Causeway: a 3 km walkway of willows and peach trees across the lake. Beautiful at sunrise.
• Bai Causeway and Broken Bridge: the famous bridge of the Legend of the White Snake.
• Three Pools Mirroring the Moon: small stone pagodas in the water, pictured on the back of the 1-yuan note. Reach them by boat.
• Leifeng Pagoda: climb for a sunset view over the whole lake.
• Lingyin Temple: one of China's most important Buddhist temples, with carvings in the cliffs of Feilai Feng.

On the water

Take a boat to the islands, or hire a small rowing boat with a boatman for a slower, quieter ride. In summer, lotus flowers cover parts of the lake.

Longjing tea villages

The hills west of the lake grow Longjing (Dragon Well) tea, one of China's most famous green teas. Visit Longjing or Meijiawu village to walk the terraces, watch tea being pan-roasted by hand and taste it fresh. Spring, when the new leaves are picked, is the best time.

When to go

• Early morning: locals doing tai chi and the softest light.
• Spring: blossoms and new tea. Autumn: clear days and sweet osmanthus.
• Winter: quiet, and magical on the rare days of snow.
• Avoid Chinese holiday weeks, when the causeways are packed.

How many days?

One full day covers the lake; two lets you add the tea villages, Lingyin Temple and an evening on the water.

How we help

Your guide picks the quiet paths and the right time for each spot, arranges a private boat and takes you to a tea family in the hills. We can combine Hangzhou with Shanghai or the water towns. Message us on WhatsApp.

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