Hangzhou May Day Holiday: My Two Cents (and a Warning!)
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Actually, before it got so packed with tourists, strolling around areas like Longxiangqiao or Beishan Street was incredibly pleasant. Back when I was in high school, on Fridays after school, my classmates and I would walk and chat by West Lake with our schoolbags – that felt like the happiest thing in the world. Now, I only choose to go there on rainy days. Firstly, I don't mind the rain, and secondly, the area is truly beautiful when it rains. My favorite thing now is to start from Huyu Road and walk all the way to Hupao Road, holding an umbrella, surrounded by lush greenery. It feels like I can truly immerse myself in nature. These photos were all taken around Hupao Road and Quyuan Fenghe (Lotus in the Breeze at Crooked Courtyard). They got a lot of likes when I posted them online, and they really capture what it looks like in person.
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OMG! Your photos are amazing! Do you mind sharing the settings? My Pocket 3 always seems to make overcast days look washed out and too white.
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Luckily, I know myself well enough – I hate the sun and I'm not really into mountain and water scenery. So I just woke up and went straight to Hubin in77 to wander around all day.
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I want to go see Crayon Shin-chan tomorrow.
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Curious to see the parks near your place? ~
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Quyuan Fenghe (Lotus in the Breeze at Crooked Courtyard).
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That Youhao Park I visited today was really beautiful.
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Honey, I totally get how you feel, and I'd like to share my thoughts, hoping they might help. I'm from Sichuan and have been interning in Hangzhou for a month now. I've been living here all this time, and I also love to quietly find a spot, gaze at the scenery, and just zone out. My favorite places are those full of lush greenery because they give me that spring vibe, which makes me really happy! During Qingming Festival, regular weekends, and the May Day holiday, I've been out exploring Hangzhou. I'm someone who loves planning itineraries. I've been to popular spots around West Lake, famous online check-in locations, and also some relatively less crowded parks. My take is: Hangzhou is vast and has many beautiful places. You don't necessarily have to hit all the major tourist attractions. Sometimes, over-planning can detract from your experience, making it feel like just checking off a list. For short holidays like Qingming or May Day, try to go during off-peak hours (like super early in the morning) or avoid the big attractions (like the Longxiangqiao section of West Lake). Places like Wansong Academy and Hupao Park are much less crowded during these holidays, and the scenery is still great.
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Wansong Academy and Hupao Park are also very beautiful. I actually went to Hupao yesterday, and even during the May Day holiday, you could describe it as uncrowded. You can quietly find a little corner and do your own thing. Your own experience at the moment is what matters most. Traffic can be bad during short holidays or weekends, but using the subway plus a bus or bike is very convenient. If you want to quietly zone out, consider these two places. However, with the current weather, there will be quite a few mosquitoes, so remember to spray repellent, or they'll start bothering you pretty quickly if you sit down for a while.
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Huh?! I actually quite like this bamboo forest in the Botanical Garden. I've loved it since my first visit over ten years ago. I went on the afternoon of May 1st, and there was no one there. Could you tell me where your neighborhood park is? I'm not trying to be argumentative; I'd genuinely like to check it out too.
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So, you're saying the park near your home is better? Tell us where it is then.
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I think it's very beautiful.
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I stubbornly came to Hangzhou for the May Day holiday. West Lake was packed, but I still had a great time. Maybe it's because I actually enjoy lively atmospheres. I also really enjoyed city walking through the scenic areas. Even though southern Chinese landscapes can be quite similar, seeing such a continuous stretch of beautiful scenery made the trip totally worth it.
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Hangzhou has many uncrowded spots. If you're looking to explore some hidden gems or less-traveled paths, you can find tips and guides on Xiaohongshu.