Travel to Xihu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang

Xihu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang — the heart of paradise on earth, home to the Top Ten West Lake Sights, Lingyin Temple, Longjing Village and other iconic attractions. Experience a deep blend of nature and humanity in a 2-day trip.

10+

Core West Lake Attractions (count)

1600+

Lingyin Temple History (years)

1200+

West Lake Cultural Heritage (years)

50+

Hangzhou Cuisine Specialties (types)

Panoramic view of Broken Bridge, West Lake, Hangzhou

Broken Bridge Snow Scene – Landmark of Xihu District

Broken Bridge at West Lake, Hangzhou is famous for its snow-covered scenery that appears and disappears. It is one of the Top Ten West Lake Sights. Bai Causeway connects Broken Bridge with Autumn Moon on Calm Lake, offering varied scenery in all four seasons.

Xihu District Two-Day Human-Nature Journey

Lake sightseeing, temple meditation, tea village tasting, valley exploration

                        
Duration
2 Days / 1 Night

                        
Main Destinations
West Lake, Lingyin Temple, Longjing Village, Nine Creeks in Misty Trees, Xixi Wetland (Xihu District Section)

                        
Suitable For
Culture enthusiasts, nature lovers, photography fans, families with children, couples

                        
Budget per Person
¥500-¥1200

West Lake Sightseeing & Ancient Temple Meditation

West Lake (Broken Bridge, Su Causeway) · Lingyin Temple · Three Pools Mirroring the Moon

Highlights

Stroll along Broken Bridge in the early morning and feel the dawn over West Lake; explore Su Causeway in the morning and enjoy the scenery on both sides; visit Lingyin Temple in the afternoon and experience the Zen atmosphere; take a boat to Three Pools Mirroring the Moon in the evening and find the iconic West Lake landmark.

Attractions

West Lake (Broken Bridge, Su Causeway)

A World Cultural Heritage site, famous for its layout of "three sides of mountains and one side of city". Broken Bridge is the location of the "Melting Snow on Broken Bridge" scene, one of the Top Ten West Lake Sights. Su Causeway Spring Dawn ranks first among the Top Ten West Lake Sights, with the long causeway spanning the lake connecting north and south banks.

Lingyin Temple

A thousand-year-old temple founded in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the oldest famous temple in Hangzhou. Backed by Beigao Peak and facing Feilai Peak, the temple has thriving incense offerings. It is one of the top ten ancient temples of Chan Buddhism, rich in Buddhist culture.

Three Pools Mirroring the Moon

The "Three Pools Mirroring the Moon" scene of West Lake is located on Xiaoyingzhou Island in the center of West Lake, the largest island in the lake. Three stone pagodas stand in the lake south of the island, forming an iconic West Lake landmark and the prototype of the pattern on the one-yuan RMB note.

Practical Info

Accommodation Recommendations

Boutique hotels by West Lake
Zen-themed B&Bs near Lingyin Temple
Hotels in Hubin Commercial Area

Food Recommendations

West Lake Vinegar Fish
Longjing Shrimp
Dongpo Pork
Sister Song's Fish Soup
Pian Er Chuan (Noodles)

Travel Tips

West Lake Scenic Area is large; consider renting a bike or taking a sightseeing bus.
Lingyin Temple requires purchasing a Feilai Peak ticket (¥45) first, then a temple ticket (¥30).
Three Pools Mirroring the Moon requires taking a boat from Huagang Pier or Yuemiao Pier.
Holidays are very crowded; consider traveling off-peak.

Tea Village Discovery & Valley Exploration

Longjing Village · Nine Creeks in Misty Trees · Xixi Wetland (Xihu District Section)

Highlights

In the morning, visit Longjing Village and taste pre-Qingming Longjing tea; enjoy farmhouse cuisine at noon; hike Nine Creeks in Misty Trees in the afternoon and admire the stream scenery; explore Xixi Wetland in the evening and experience the ecological beauty of the "kidney of the city".

Attractions

Longjing Village

The famous origin of Longjing tea. The village is covered with tea gardens and streams gurgling, preserving traditional tea culture. Visitors can tour tea gardens and factories, experience tea picking and processing, and taste authentic West Lake Longjing tea.

Nine Creeks in Misty Trees

Famous for "Nine Creeks and Eighteen Gullies", the stream winds through dense woods. When mist shrouds the area, it feels like a fairyland. It is an excellent summer retreat and hiking destination, with particularly beautiful red leaves in autumn.

Xixi Wetland (Xihu District Section)

A national 5A scenic area, known as the "kidney of the city" with dense waterways and lush reeds. It features "three causeways and ten scenic spots". Visitors can take a rowboat through the wetlands and experience the natural ecology and cultural heritage.

Practical Info

Transportation Guide

Lake-loop buses K4, Route 7 serve West Lake Scenic Area.
Longjing Village is accessible by Bus 27 and Tour Bus 2.
Nine Creeks in Misty Trees is accessible by Bus 4 and Bus 318.
Xixi Wetland (Xihu District Section) is directly accessible via Metro Line 3.

Ticket Information

West Lake (Broken Bridge, Su Causeway): Free
Lingyin Temple: ¥75 (including Feilai Peak)
Three Pools Mirroring the Moon: ¥55 (including ferry ticket)
Longjing Village: Free
Nine Creeks in Misty Trees: Free
Xixi Wetland (Xihu District Section): ¥80

Travel Tips

When buying tea in Longjing Village, choose reputable shops and check authenticity.
Wear non-slip shoes for hiking at Nine Creeks; use mosquito repellent in summer.
Rowboat rides at Xixi Wetland need advance booking; experience lasts about 1 hour.
Recommended souvenirs: West Lake Longjing tea, silk products, Hangzhou chrysanthemum tea.

Must-Try Foods in Xihu District

West Lake Vinegar Fish

A representative of Hangzhou cuisine, made with grass carp from West Lake. The fish is tender, sweet and sour, brightly colored. It is a traditional Hangzhou famous dish, known as the "first dish of West Lake".

Longjing Shrimp

Cooked with fresh river shrimp and pre-Qingming Longjing tea leaves. The shrimp is white and tender, the tea leaves fragrant, and the dish elegantly presented. It is a seasonal Hangzhou delicacy in spring.

Pian Er Chuan (Noodles)

A traditional Hangzhou noodle dish topped with pickled mustard greens, bamboo shoots and shredded lean pork. The noodles are chewy and the broth delicious. It is one of the favorite breakfast choices of locals, showcasing the homestyle flavor of Hangzhou cuisine.

Dingsheng Cake (Victory Cake)

A traditional Hangzhou pastry, pink in color, soft and sweet. Named for its auspicious meaning (victory is assured), it is often used during festivals or for entertaining guests. It is a characteristic snack of Xihu District.

Xihu District Travel Tips

Best Time to Visit

Spring (Mar-May): Su Causeway Spring Dawn, peach blossoms in full bloom, perfect for flower viewing
Summer (Jun-Aug): Lotus in the Breeze at Crooked Courtyard, lotus flowers fill the pond, Nine Creeks for summer retreat
Autumn (Sep-Nov): Autumn Moon on Calm Lake, osmanthus fragrance, pleasant climate
Winter (Dec-Feb): Melting Snow on Broken Bridge (requires snowfall), fewer tourists

Must-Try Foods

West Lake Vinegar Fish
Longjing Shrimp
Dongpo Pork
Sister Song's Fish Soup
Dingsheng Cake (Victory Cake)

Budget Reference

Tickets: approx. ¥200-300
Accommodation: ¥200-600/night
Meals: ¥100-200/day
Transport: ¥50-150
Total: ¥500-1200

FAQ

How to get to Xihu District? → Take Metro Line 1 from Hangzhou East Station directly to West Lake.
What types of West Lake boat tours are available? → Options include painted boats, hand-rowed boats, etc., with different routes and prices.
Best time for tea-picking experience in Longjing Village? → Before Qingming Festival (early March to early April).
What special souvenirs does Xihu District offer? → West Lake Longjing tea, silk products, Hangzhou chrysanthemum tea.

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