It’s no exaggeration to say that part of Hangzhou’s fame “a heavenly city” derives from West Lake which has enthralled numerous people for its unique landscape. Surrounded by mountains on three sides, West Lake has three islets standing in it, three causeways guarding it, two pagodas facing each other across it, and two brilliantly illuminated streets close to it.
More than a picturesque scenic spot, West Lake is also a combination of Hangzhou’s culture and history. It witnessed the beautiful love between the White Snake and Xuxian, the uprightness of General Yue Fei, the talent and beauty of Su Xiaoxiao. It has won numerous praises from ancient emperors and poets. It’s history that creates West Lake and endows it with indefinite charm.
West Lake is just like an ancient traditional Chinese painting inviting you to step in. Cruising West Lake leisurely, not only enables you to enjoy the beautiful view of West Lake from a difference angle, but also help you fully sense the feelings of ancient Chinese and get a glimpse of modern Hangzhounese.
| Type of Boats | Range of the Tourism Area | Where to Board | Price |
|---|
| Painted Boats | Outer West Lake including Lesser Yingzhou and Mid-lake Islet | Lakeside Park 5
| RMB55/person |
Lakeside Park 2
|
Children's Palace
|
| Leisure Boats | Outer West Lake including Lesser Yingzhou and Mid-lake Islet | Lakeside Park 1
| RMB45/person
|
Lakeside Park 5
|
| Children's Palace |
Zhongshan Park
|
Hangzhou Restaurant
|
Huagang Park
|
Temple to King Qians
|
| Self-drive Boats | West Inner Lake
| Broken Bridge
| The First Hour: RMB40/boat for four-seat; RMB50/boat for six-seat
Additional Time: RMB20/half an hour/boat for four-seat and RMB25/half an hour/boat for six-seat |
| Self-rowing Boats | Outer Lake
| Lakeside Park 6
| The First Hour: RMB30/boat
Additional Time: RMB15/half an hour/boat |
| Rowing Boats | Lesser Yingzhou, Mid-lake Pavilion,
Ruan Gong Islet, and Yanggong
Causeway Scenic Area etc. | Around West Lake
| The First Hour: RMB150/boat for six-seat rowing boats; RMB180/boat for eleven-seat sculling boats.
Additional Time: RMB75/half an hour/boat for rowing boats; RMB90/half an hour/boat for sculling boats |
| Dragon Boat | Bai Causeway → Autumn Moon Mirroring Over the Calm Lake → Su Causeway → Three Pools Mirroring the Moon → Orioles Singing in the Willows → Hubin Music Fountain → back to dock (about 50 minutes in all) | Lakeside Park 5 Wharf | RMB90/person (a fruit platter, Longjing Tea or other drinks, and the performance of Jiangnan Sizhu (江南丝竹) — a traditional Chinese music form are included) |
| Coffee Boats | Children's Palace Wharf | RMB90/person (a cup of Longjing Tea or coffee, and the performance of Jiangnan Sizhu are included.) |
| Xinxin Restaurant Wharf |
From May to October, the following wharfs provide the service of night cruise. Different kinds of boats are available.
Lakeside Park 2 Wharf
Boat Type: Cruising ships, painted boats | Lakeside Park 5 Wharf
Boat Type: Leisure boats and painted boats |
Children's Palace Wharf
Boat Type: Leisure boats and painted boats | Broken Bridge Wharf
Boat Type: Self-driving boats |
Map of Wharfs Around West LakeInformation about Wharfs Around West Lake| Name | Telephone | Bus
|
| Lakeside Park 1 Wharf | 86-571-87035619 | Y9, 4, 30 |
| Lakeside Park 2 Wharf | 86-571-87063514 | Y9, K7, Y1 |
| Lakeside Park 5 Wharf | 86-571-87028153 | Y9, K7, Y1 |
| Lakeside Park 6 Wharf | 86-571-87026538 | Y9, K7, 30 |
Children's Palace Wharf
| 86-571-87068226 | Y9, K7, 27 |
| Broken Bridge Wharf | 86-571-87967737 | Y9, K7, 27 |
| Zhongshan Park Wharf | 86-571-87967598 | Y9, K7, 850 |
Yue Fei's Temple Wharf
| 86-571-87978187 | Y9, K7, 27 |
| Hangzhou Restaurant Wharf | 86-571-87978187 | Y9, K7, 27 |
| Huagang Park Wharf | 86-571-87986472 | Y9, 4, 504 |
| Temple to King Qians Wharf | 86-571-87068224 | Y9, 4 |
