With the sightseeing bus route from Su Causeway to Bai Causeway recently launched, there is now a new way to explore the West Lake in depth. And if you want to revel in the beauty of the lake from a different angle, you can also experience the "West Lake Loop Tour."
New Sightseeing Bus Line from Su Causeway to Bai Causeway
Those who are familiar with the West Lake in Hangzhou may know that there are sightseeing carts circling around the lake to let travelers admire the beauty of the lake thoroughly. Recently, to offer further convenience to the public, the sightseeing bus route from Su Causeway to Bai Causeway has been launched in the West Lake Scenic Area. What are the characteristics of this bus line?
Attractions on the Way
The bus route has connected many famous scenes of the lake with both historical and cultural values, such as Viewing Fish at the Flower Harbor, Breeze-ruffled Lotus at Quyuan Garden, Solitary Hill, Autumn Moon on the Calm Lake, Melting Snow on the Broken Bridge, Louwailou Restaurant and Xiling Seal Society.
The sightseeing bus shuttles between Su Causeway and Bai Causeway. It is about 5 km one way. And there are three stops as follows.
01
South of Su Causeway 苏堤南 (East Gate of Viewing Fish at the Flower Harbor 花港观鱼东门)
02
North of Su Causeway 苏堤北 (Temple of Yue Fei 岳庙)
03
East of Bai Causeway 白堤东 (Broken Bridge 断桥)
Q&A
1. How to take the bus?
You may take the bus from the starting points or hail it in the midway. Tickets are purchased while you are on board. Groups who want to charter the bus should book one day in advance.
2. How muchis the ticket?
Ticket Price: RMB 10 per person for one way
3. What are the operating hours?
Weekdays: 09:30-16:00
Weekends: 09:30-16:30
It is subject to adjustment as per weather conditions.
Inquiry/Reservation: +86-571 87972452
Three Highlights of West Lake Loop Tour
After the new “land route,” there is also a recently launched “water route” worth recommending. It is the West Lake Loop Tour.
You can revel in the beauty of the lake and meanwhile use it as a convenient “water bus” to different piers of the West Lake. It is indeed feeding two birds with one scone.
The “West Lake Loop” launched by the West Lake Cruise Co., Ltd. reveals the company’s closely sticking with the concept of “Close to People, Benefit the People.” By innovatively creating a cruise tour in the west of the lake in which many local people show strong interest, the company has offered the public an opportunity to go back to the good old days when life is more slow-paced and has truly made the lake an ecological space for all to share.
Highlight #1
A Creative Loop around the West Lake
This is the first time for the company to launch a loop tour around the lake. In addition to the popular attractions, many less-visited ones are also included. This loop tour will take you to the western inner lake and Maojiabu, not only breaking with tradition of cruising only on the outer lake but also going deep into the scenic attraction Water Scenery at Maoxiang at the westernmost end of the lake to retrace the past water pilgrimage to Lingyin Temple and Tianzhu Temples. In the west of the lake, you will also see the underwater forest and discover the secrets to the excellent ecological environment of the lake.
The tour is an organic combination of culture and nature and is very intriguing. You can enjoy both the beautiful views of the outer lake and the tranquility of the inner lake.
Highlight #2
Ten Attractions Carefully Selected
The attractions to visit are also carefully selected. With the culture of the lake as the background, the West Lake cruise acts as a carrier to chain together many classic names of attractions from the "Ten Scenes of West Lake" in the Southern Song Dynasty, "Eighteen Scenes of West Lake" in Qing Dynasty, "New Ten Scenes of West Lake" and “The Third Review of Ten Scenes of West Lake.” The culture of the lake is deeply integrated in the route. When you take the cruise, you will get to understand the West Lake’s cultural concept of “Harmony between Man and Nature” and discover the unique beauty of the lake as a world cultural heritage site.
Highlight #3
Convenient and Hassle-Free Green Travel
If you want to explore the West Lake in depth, besides driving or walking, you may also choose the convenient and eco-friendly "West Lake Loop Tour," which is surely a good choice for people to explore the lake by boat.
The tour includes ten stops and there should be one close to you. It is reasonably priced and there is no traffic jam. You can touch the water with your hands and meanwhile enjoy the beautiful views along the way.
Starting & Ending Points and Stops
01
Horseback Archery at Tingwan 亭湾骑射 (The 1st Park 一公园)
02
Sunny and Rainy Views from the Lakeside 湖滨晴雨 (The 5th Park 五公园)
03
Melting Snow on the Broken Bridge 断桥残雪 (Children's Palace 少年宫)
04
Autumn Moon on the Calm Lake 平湖秋月 (Zhongshan Park 中山公园)
05
Blooming Flowers and Full Moon 花好月圆 (Pier of Shangri-La Hangzhou 杭饭码头)
06
Breeze-ruffled Lotus at Quyuan Garden 曲院风荷 (郭庄 Guozhuang)
07
Water Scenery at Maoxiang 茅乡水情 (Former Residence of Du Jinsheng 都锦生故居)
08
Viewing Fish at the Flower Harbor 花港观鱼
09
Eighteen Send Off 十八相送 (长桥 Long Bridge)
10
Praise of King Qian's Loyalty in His Shrine 钱祠表忠 (Temple of King Qian 钱王祠)
11
Horseback Archery at Tingwan 亭湾骑射 (The 1st Park一公园)
Q&A
1. Where and how to buy tickets?
Option 1: Scan the QR code at any of the ten stops and purchase with Alipay or WeChat.
Option 2: Reply 环湖游览线 to the official WeChat account of West Lake Cruise Co. Ltd. and make a purchase with Wechat.
2. How much is the ticket?
It costs from RMB6 to 8 per person; free for children less than 1.2m tall (accompanied by adult); half price for children between 1.2m and 1.5m tall.
3. What are the operating hours?
November to March: Every half an hour from 8:30 to 15:30 on daily basis.
April to October: Every half an hour from 8:30 to 16:00 on daily basis.
Tel: 0571-87035619