Hangzhou Peak Season: Maybe Not.
-
Do we need to book the hand-rowed boats in advance, or can we just get one when we arrive? We're planning to go on a weekday in mid-April.
-
No booking needed, but you'll likely have to wait for a boat if it's crowded.
-
That's a very fair assessment. And the spots you mentioned are quite unique. It's true, when visiting West Lake, you should avoid the major hotspots. It's just shoulder-to-shoulder crowds and a terrible experience.
-
Exactly.
-
I wouldn't dare go near West Lake or Xiang Lake on a weekend, especially if the weather's nice.
-
Given Zhejiang's climate, pretty much any park should be beautiful.
-
There's hardly an off-season.
-
It's beautiful all year round.
-
Hangzhou is so beautifully green in early April! Though, these past few days, the leaves on the trees along Yanggong Causeway haven't quite emerged yet.
-
True, right now it's mostly about the flowers.
-
I never go to Taiziwan Park during tulip season. At most, I'll cycle over to Santaishan Road for a stroll.
-
From what I recall, I can't think of a time I've been to Hangzhou when it wasn't crowded, and I always avoid public holidays.
-
It's less crowded in winter. I went a few days before Chinese New Year last time; it was freezing and even snowed.