Just Left Hangzhou. Gotta Unload Some... Hangzhou Hot Takes.

[Felix Glover]

I've just returned from Hangzhou after spending three days and two nights there. Without proper planning, I encountered numerous pit traps along the way! This post is mainly to reflect on my mistakes and offer a heads-up to others, while sharing some unexpected pleasant surprises as well...

• I immediately checked into the hotel after landing the plane and rushed off to Xixi National Wetland Park (a vast natural park akin to a green lung in the city).
  • ️ Tip: Upon arrival, I realized that purchasing a ticket at the site costs RMB140 (RMB80 entrance fee + RMB60 boating price), while buying it in advance on a travel app at least 2 hours prior saves a total of RMB120!
  • ️ Note about Xixi National Wetland: The latest boat departure time at every dock is 5 PM (17:00). We entered around 2 PM in the afternoon and were racing against time, almost missing out on the last boat. For those who wish to enjoy the site fully, remember to arrive early!
• I headed off to Fahsi Temple, known for its renowned Buddhist practices; upon reaching there, I discovered there was a simple yet distinctive vegetarian meal (monastery-provided food) available that only cost RMB5 per serving.
  • However, breakfast was served between 6 AM to 7:30 AM, and our arrival at 8 AM meant that we had missed the opportunity completely...we were poorly informed.
• I also visited the relatively tranquil site at Maojiabu, near West Lake, but because of inadequate research, I didn’t discover the beautiful lotuses that could be found merely around the corner (had unfortunately boarded the ferry to depart without witnessing them).
• Fortunately, we stumbled upon West Lake Boat Tours and learned that one is not obligated to purchase the full circle of the lake ticket for RMB70. Instead, one can acquire separate tickets at only RMB8 by boarding from Maojiabu Pier to Huagangguan Yu (a well-known scenic spot within the ten attractions of West Lake with plenty of fish) – an additional fifteen minutes of great scenery was said to await.
• Sadly, we encountered rain during our visit to Tai Tzu Yuan Park, causing disappointment due to its inability to reveal its most captivating beauty under such circumstances.
• The stroll from Taizuiwan Park to Huagangguan Yu, without encountering crowded crowds, felt refreshing and comforting.
• A massive crowd also swarmed alongside Su Causeway, which was one of the ten scenic spots of West Lake (a long embankment linking the northern and southern areas of West Lake). Moreover, numerous smokers littered the air with their unpleasant smoke.
  • ️ Personal advice: It is not necessary to walk the entire length of Su Causeway; one could simply take a brief walk to appreciate it or opt for an electric vehicle ride instead (which would require additional transportation购票).
• Similarly, both Bai Causeway (another celebrated embankment bridging Duanqiao and Gulou) and Taihe Lake’s scenery were most enchanting at evening’s twilight hour or not essential to traverse all throughout.
• Due note taken for the sheer size of West Lake; it is truly substantial and would demand more than a day to cover every location. Without a prior itinerary and planned list, visitors may end up wandering aimlessly like flies searching for direction.
• Scenic sites such as Duanqiao Zhanxue (a notably famous bridge whose charm peaks upon snowfall), Bai Causeway, Su Causeway, Jixian Pavilion (a pavilion located at Huabei), and Lei Feng Pagoda (a renowned ancient tower that holds importance within "Legend of the White Snake" tales) all lie situated northeast and west of West Lake, resulting in greater tourist concentration within their respective vicinities.
• In contrast to Bai Causeway and Su Causeway’s crowds, areas farther west into the mountains such as Mei Jiawu Village and Longjing Tea villages offer peace and quieter walks for nature lovers, who are eager to admire the beauty of tea garden landscapes.
• Lingyin Temple which is another notable landmark, hosts tourists inside its vast expanse of grounds; the scenic Lingyin Scenic Area (characterized by varied rock-styled Buddha figures) alone offers enough exploration space to pass half the day.
  • ️ Ticket note: Both entrances to Lingyin Temple must be purchased one after the other (initially RMB45 at Lingyin Scenic Area entrance and RMB30 more for Lingyin Temple itself). Lingyin Temple lies within the bounds of Lingyin Scenic Area’s territory.
• It was my personal opinion that if no special affection exists towards Leifeng Pagoda (not aspiring to climb the pagoda to appreciate its vistas), then the desire to spend extra money on its ascent isn’t a necessity (its most beautiful view being when its grandeur integrates gracefully with the entirety of West Lake’s natural beauty).
• Only by acquiring ticketing permits that grant passage through San Tan Yingyue (Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon) (located on the RMB1 bill on its back; encompassing a trio of stone pavilions floating upon waters) will one realize the necessity of paying for travel costs (RMB70 for a ferry trip). Conversely, an inexpensive RMB8 ferry that passes through from Maojiabu Pier to Huagangguan Yu offers a chance for visitors to glimpse glimpses of the picturesque surroundings through a distanced view.
• As such, I recommend visiting Xiaohai Street (an old district exhibiting some notable architectural features of the Jiangnan Water Town) to get a glimpse of authentic culture, where one may also enjoy the tasty noodle dishes that the local cuisine restaurants have on offer.
• Hangzhou as a whole has impressed me with its neatness; coincidentally, upon arriving during the city’s most beautiful season characterized by flourishing plants, flowers, and trees lining along the paths (known as “green belts), truly serving a pleasant surprise!
• ️ Essential advice: I highly suggest bringing food and water with you while visiting scenic spots within West Lake; prices can get exorbitant when purchasing items from the area.
• As the saying goes, "Sunny West Lake can't compare to rainy West Lake" (implying that the lakeside scenery holds more charm under rain than sunshine), I wholeheartedly agree with this! Rainy weather has transformed West Lake’s landscape into a captivating Chinese watercolor painting.

[Iris Marquardt]

If you buy the Hangzhou Culture and Tourism Card for 40 RMB, entrance fees to places like Xixi Wetland are waived.

[Dr. Lance Glover]

It seems like this card requires you to have social security or hukou (household registration) in Hangzhou.

[Joanne Swift]

Just got back! Visited Xixi Wetland, West Lake, Wuzhen, Xitang, and Nanxun. It cost a little over 700 RMB per person for three days.

[Theresa Sporer]

I just arrived today. Did you do a group tour or travel independently for these places? Looking for some tips/your itinerary!

[Leticia Ritchie]

The entire eastern path around West Lake is just thick with cigarette smoke. Walking along the lake, it's like: you smell that acrid smoke, spot a guy smoking ahead, hurry past him, only to find another guy smoking right in front of that one.

[Dexter Cummerata]

So true. I walked around for two days, and it was just constant secondhand smoke. It was awful.

[Mr. Jody Bednar]

Damn, I missed both sunny and rainy weather and just got a massively overcast day! I must have tried to destroy the galaxy in a past life or something!

[Samuel Kihn]

Why does Xixi Wetland even require an entrance fee?

[Robyn Reilly]

Xixi Wetland has two sections: one that charges an entrance fee and one that's free.

[Kathryn Hermiston]

Is there anywhere around West Lake where you can just sit for half a day, ideally without many people around, just to zone out?

[Leland Erdman]

The benches by the lake.

[Lorraine Rau]

You're welcome back anytime! The flowers are usually more beautiful around late March to early April, but lately, you're more likely to experience that classic 'misty Jiangnan' atmosphere.

[Katrina Sporer]

If I visit in early June, will there still be beautiful scenery to see?