Transportation in modern days is well-developed with cars, public buses, subways, and shareable bikes everywhere. With the speed getting faster and faster, we seem to have forgotten how to slow down to enjoy the scenery around us.
Why not take some time off and come to Hangzhou to take a slowly-swaying water bus to appreciate the gentleness exclusive to Jiangnan water towns.
Autumn, when the wind isn’t as hot as that in summer and carries the exclusive fragrance and sweetness of the season, is the most suitable season to take a boat tour. The boat with you in it sways slowly in the waterway. There is no traffic jam and time seems to have slowed down in the rippling water. Embark on your Hangzhou tour in a slowly-swaying small boat in the most comfortable season of Hangzhou!
Water Bus Line 7
There are currently four Hangzhou water bus lines, Line 1, Line 2, Line 3, and Line 7. Why do we start with Line 7? Naturally, it’s because Line 7 offers the most beautiful scenery. With a fare of just 3 yuan, you can take “the Most Beautiful Hangzhou Water Bus Line 7” to experience a Hangzhou tour full of Jiangnan charm. Isn’t it a good deal?
Water bus line 7 is in the Donghe River (东河). Donghe River is an ancient yet modern river. It was excavated in the Jinglong Years of the Tang Dynasty (707-710) and was the moat outside the east city wall of Hangzhou. Now on the banks of it were erected many modern buildings, but still, it retains the flavor of old-style Hangzhou.
Different from other water bus lines using big boats, the boats that line 7 uses are small elegant classical boats, which are full of artistic and literary charm. After people sit down, the boat slowly sets off, with beautiful views unrolling in front of people’s eyes like a painting.
The first stop is Bazi Bridge (坝子桥). On both sides are neatly grown a row of straight sequoia trees. You can only imagine how beautiful the scenery is when the leaves turn yellow. The dreamlike water tourist route starts from here.
In the sun, the shimmering water surface is like being sprinkled with popping candies. The rustling of green leaves in the wind, boats sailing ahead, the wind caressing people's cheeks ... one can’t help but wonder, isn't this the leisurely life people are longing for?
The small boat sails down along Donghe River. The route is surrounded by greenery, which under the influence of autumn shows a hint of a special color, perhaps the color yellow brought by autumn, or the color gold created by the sun. Looking into the distance in the sun, the beauty of water flowing under a bridge is always extraordinarily beautiful.
Donghe River runs through the old city area of Hangzhou. It was used for transporting vegetables into the city in old times, hence it’s also known as Caishi (Vegetable Market) River (菜市河). There are many bridges over Donghe River, Baoshan Bridge (宝善桥), Caishi Bridge (菜市桥), Doufu Bridge (斗富桥) ... The black shadow that the bridges cast over water and the green mosses on the bridges create an age-old ink painting, which against the backdrop of riverside trees shows extraordinary outlines. Taking photos, enjoying the scenery and cool breeze ... nothing is more leisurely than the autumn days in Hangzhou.
Nowadays, although without one vendor after another, the banks of the river are still full of Hangzhou lifestyle, with some people fishing in the river, some strolling along the river, and some basking in the warm sunshine.
The last stop is Meihua Stele (梅花碑). After passengers get off the boat, the boat turns around and slowly embarks on the return journey ... Nowadays, with the development of subway systems, enjoying some leisure time in the slow tourist boat is such a happy thing to do!
Nearby attraction: Wuliu Lane Historic Block (五柳巷历史街区)
Here, the history and culture of Donghe River are best restored and retained. Wuliu Lane (五柳巷) was named after Wuliu Garden (五柳园). Mr. Wuliu is the art name of the famous Chinese poet, Tao Yuanming. In the Song Dynasty (960-1279), perhaps because of people's admiration for the literary talent of Tao Yuanming, a private garden named Wuliu was built by Donghe River of Hangzhou. Then, Wuliu Lane was like Hangzhou’s Qinhuai River (秦淮河), packed with tea houses, wine shops, and people singing and dancing to extol the good times.
Here, not only can you see many buildings of the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China era, but also can experience the life of old Hangzhou people. The tall and large sequoia trees by the river seem to have separated the place from the changes of the outside world. The lane still retains its old appearance of decades ago. Low eaves, wood tables, bamboo chairs, neighbors walking in and out ... Residents here are the soul of old Hangzhou.
Tips:
1. The boats are adequately ventilated and have no air conditioners, but they considerably provide small fans. It’s a good idea to choose a cool autumn day to take the boat.
2. Water bus line 7 operates hourly and can accommodate eight people at a time, so please remember to queue up 20 minutes in advance.
3. The boat ride takes about 50 minutes and there are many stops along the way, but it’s not recommended to get off or on the boat midway, because there may not be seats available midway.
4. There are many mosquitoes on the boat and the banks. Please remember to bring mosquito repellant.
5. The prow offers the best view.
Water Bus Line 1
If water bus line 7 is the byword of beauty and leisure, then line 1 is a classic route through the busy downtown area. Along the Grand Canal, the water bus line starts from the busy and prosperous Wulinmen (武林门) to the Jiangnan-style Gongchen Bridge (拱宸桥). Along the way, there are misty willows, beautiful bridges, and curtain-like greenery. It’s a treat to sit in the slowly swaying boat to enjoy canal-side scenery.
Compared with the elegant West Lake and the bold and unrestrained Qiantang River, the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Cana blends into the daily life of the city and has gathered a livelier atmosphere.
Fuyi Granary (富义仓) in Xinyifang (信义坊), Dadou Road Historic Block (大兜路历史街区) in Maiyuqiao (卖鱼桥), Qiaoxi Straight Street (桥西直街) near Gongchen Bridge, Xiaohe Straight Street (小河直街) by the Grand Canal ... Surely, the areas along the Grand Canal are enough for you to tour for an entire day.
Nearby attraction: Qiaoxi · Historic and Cultural Block 桥西历史文化街区
“Qiaoxi” is the collective name referring to the areas west of Gongchen Bridge. It starts from the head of Gongchen Bridge, spreads southwestwards and borders China Fan Museum (中国扇博物馆) in the north, Dengyun Road (登云路) in the south and Xiaohe Road (小河路) in the west. In the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing dynasties (1636-1912), due to the convenient transportation of the canal, many stores were opened along the Grand Canal. It was then called “Little Shanghai”.
"A Gongchen Bridge, half of Hangzhou’s history." Gongchen Bridge spans the Grand Canal that has been flowing for over a thousand years. It has been there for nearly 400 years. Both the stone slabs that are covered with green mosses, and the bridge rails weathered by wind and the sun are witnesses to history.
To seek the historical connotations of the areas, you must go to these major museums, such as China Knife, Scissors and Sword Museum, China Umbrella Museum, China Fan Museum and the Workmanship Demonstration Pavilion in the west of the bridge, and the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal Museum in the east of the bridge. A visit to these museums is a knowledge-seek journey that explores the memories flowing in the Grand Canal.
Nearby attraction: Xiaohe Straight Street Historic and Cultural Block 小河直街历史文化街区
The block is located at the confluence of three rivers, the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, Xiaohe River (小河), and Yuhangtang River. It has been an important freight wharf since the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) and didn’t gain prosperity until the late Ming Dynasty and early Qing Dynasty. The residents of Xiaohe Straight Street have lived here for generations.
Xiaohe Straight Street is not long, only about one kilometer. The street-side white walls and black tiles, green vines and red flowers, roads paved with flagstones, and the elaborately-restored appearance of old times make it a new landmark of art and literature favored by the youth. The Canal Photography Culture Center (运河摄影文化馆) at the entrance of the street is a must-visit for many.
When visiting Xiaohe Straight Street, you must first go to the most special sauce and pickle garden of the street. It is regarded as the landmark of the street. Oil, wine, and pickles are the indispensable seasonings to make a delicious Hangzhou dish. In the sauce and pickle garden, you can experience the common people’s life characterized by firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, and tea, and experience the unforgettable taste of the older generation.
Tips:
1. Besides water bus line 1, there is another tourist boat route with different fare and stops from line 1. Please remember to get to the right wharf.
2. The whole journey takes about half an hour and passengers need to wear masks when taking the boat.
Water Bus Line 2
The Yuhangtang River (余杭塘河) where the water bus line 2 operates used to be a major artery for transporting grain in the ancient times. It used to be called “Guantang River (官塘河)”. In history, it was packed with merchant ships and is characterized by developed shipping. It is a witness to the historical vicissitudes of Hangzhou.
Water bus line 2 starts from the wharf of Wulinmen and continues to the Wuchang area (五常) of Xixi. It sails first in the Grand Canal, then Yuhangtang River and last Xixi Wetland, passing by Xinyifang (信义坊), Zijin’gang Campus of Zhejiang University, Jiangcun Village (蒋村), etc.
The scenery may not be as outstanding as that along water bus line 1 and line 7, but in Yuhangtang River there are many water birds flying above, rows of trees shading the banks, and water rippling, which offer a pleasant sightseeing experience when passengers look outside from the air-conditioned boat.
The terminus, Jiangcun Village is only a ten-minute walk from the subway station. Near it, there are Xixi Wetland and Longhu Paradise Walk (龙湖天街). It’s suitable for those who want to do some shopping or go on an excursion.
Nearby attraction: Xixi National Wetland Park
With strong mist and fog and a tranquil natural environment, Xixi is like an intoxicating Song Dynasty poem and a water and ink painting with a poetic image. Xixi Wetland is famous for “a zigzag creek and a wisp of smoke”. It has the natural fun and beautiful scenery of a natural wetland and profound and ancient cultural connotation. If you say that water in other places is jumping musical notes, then water here is tranquil and peaceful.
Tips:
1. In national holidays and on weekends, you’ll need to queue up at least half an hour in advance because of the large number of people.
Water Bus Line 3
Water bus line 3 departs from the wharf of Datieguan (打铁关) and sails along Shangtang River (上塘河) till the terminus, Banshan Mountain (半山). Shangtang River is the first artificial river in Hangzhou’s history. It starts from Hangzhou urban area, crossing Lin’pin Area and enters Haining City, where it flows into Qiantang River.
Water bus line 3 may be the least crowded of all these water bus lines. If you don’t want to wait for the busy water bus line 1 with tourists, or the water bus line 7 that only allows eight people to get on board at a time, you can choose this “refreshing and elegant water bus line”.
You can take the water bus line 3 and departs from Datieguan. With the distant Banshan Mountain and Wangchen Pavilion (望宸阁) gradually approaching, you can get off the water bus to climb up the mountain when the boat pulls in to the shore. Banshan National Forest Park (半山国家森林公园) leads to Gaoting Mountain (皋亭山), where you can enjoy Qiantao (Thousand-Plum Blossom) Garden (千桃园) and the local-version Eiffel Tower. The mountaintop Wangchen Pavilion is a wonderful place for photo taking.
Nearby attraction: Banshan National Forest Park (半山国家森林公园)
Hangzhou Banshan National Forest Park has a forest coverage rate of 90.1%. The park stretches eastwards for over 10 kilometers. Forests, streams, mountain wind ... the wind here in early autumn blows extremely gently.
Climbing up the steps along the tourist trail among forests, you will find the wind strong and the air refreshing, will hear birds chirping, and can enjoy the autumnal scenery. It is indeed an ideal place of leisure.
Tips:
1. It’s recommended to start the journey from the starting stop and leisurely enjoy the full one-hour boat ride.
2. Mosquitoes are a lot by water. Please remember to bring mosquito repellant.
3. You can get on the boat midway and there will be seats available.