Let's Take a Boat Ride and Enjoy the Spring Scenery of Hangzhou

It is always said that spring is the most beautiful season of the year. At this time, the mountains become verdant, the waters rise, and the flowers bloom. In Hangzhou, the most popular spring destination is undoubtedly West Lake. To fully immerse yourself in the vibrant spring scenery of West Lake, the right thing to do is take a boat ride.

The lesser-known West Lake boat tour, centered around the waters on the west side of Yanggong Causeway, connects scenic spots such as Maojiabu, Wugui Pond, and Yuhu Bay, forming "a hidden gem within the Mysterious Realm of West Lake".

Departing from Yuefen (Tomb of Yue Fei) Pier, the boat passes through landmarks such as Breeze-ruffled Lotus at Winding Garden, Jinsha Port, and Hangzhou Flower Nursey before finally arriving at Maojiabu. Along the journey, you'll pass through several ancient bridge clearances. Maojiabu is home to one of the largest families of waterfowl in West Lake, where a variety of waterfowl such as herons, night herons, and egrets can be seen. As the boat rows through this area, with the rippling water surface, the flying birds, and the surrounding greenery, it feels like a natural and picturesque scene of Jiangnan.

Continuing along the winding waterway, you'll reach Wugui (Turtle) Pond, where not only cherry blossoms but also various other spring flowers such as pear blossoms, weeping cherry blossoms, and Chinese redbuds bloom. While many people visit West Lake, it's less common to explore the inner parts of it, hence it's often considered "off the beaten path".

Wugui Pond also leads to another hidden gem—Yuhu Bay. Spanning across the water surface is a long corridor called the "Jihong Bridge", connecting the pavilions on both sides like a white dragon lying on the water. It's also a popular spot for taking photos in Hangzhou, whether it's morning, evening, sunny, or rainy; you can capture dreamlike scenes.

At this point, the entire tour route is nearing its end. Slowly passing through the last bridge from north to south, Junyuan Bridge on Yanggong Causeway, you'll reach Viewing Fish at Flowery Pond before returning to Yuefen Pier. The whole boat ride takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.