West Lake has been continuously celebrated in Chinese culture for over a thousand years. Su Dongpo, one of China’s greatest poets, governed Hangzhou in the 11th century and built the Su Causeway across it. The Southern Song dynasty emperors made Hangzhou their capital specifically because of the lake.
The UNESCO inscription in 2011 cited West Lake as having influenced garden design across East Asia for centuries. None of this is why you should visit. You should visit because at 6am, with the morning mist still on the water, you can sit in a hand-rowed boat in the middle of it and feel what a thousand years of poetry was trying to describe.
For the Hangzhou overview: Hangzhou Travel Guide.
Key Takeaways
- Go at dawn. 6 to 7:30am at Su Causeway: fishermen, tai chi, glassy water, almost no tourists.
- Everything is free to walk. The causeways, the public lakeside paths, all free.
- Rent a hand-rowed boat (¥150/hour, 5 people max) from Huagang Park dock.
- Su Causeway in April: cherry blossoms and peach blossoms on 2.8 km of shaded path.
- Lingyin Temple is 3 km from the lake’s west shore by bicycle.
- From Shanghai by G-train: 45 minutes. Day trip guide.
The Two Causeways
Su Causeway (苏堤) : 2.8 km
Built in the 11th century by the poet-governor Su Dongpo using silt dredged from the lake bottom. Runs north to south across the western section of the lake. Six stone arch bridges cross the causeway where channels connect the lake’s sub-sections. Lined with willow, peach, and magnolia trees.
In April the peach blossoms are extraordinary: pink clouds over the grey water. At dawn in any season, before 8am, the causeway belongs to Hangzhou residents doing their morning exercise. Walking it takes 45 to 60 minutes at a relaxed pace.
Bai Causeway (白堤) : 1 km
Shorter and busier than Su Causeway. Connects the Broken Bridge (断桥) on the northeast shore to Gu Shan island. Named for the Tang dynasty poet Bai Juyi who also governed Hangzhou and contributed to the lake’s development. The Broken Bridge view east is the most photographed West Lake angle: the bridge in the foreground, the lake behind it, Baochu Pagoda on the hill above. Best at dawn or in evening light.
Boats on West Lake
Hand-rowed wooden boats
Available from the main dock near Huagang Park (花港观鱼, south shore). ¥150 per hour for up to 5 people. The boatman rows while you sit and look. You can ask him to stop anywhere on the lake. Midweek mornings before 10am are the quietest times. The experience of being in the middle of the lake with the surrounding hills and pagodas is different from the shoreline experience.
Three Pools Mirroring the Moon island
The most famous West Lake island. Three stone pagodas rise from the water near the island’s south shore. On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, candles inside the pagodas create a reflection effect that gives the island its name. The island is accessible by tour boat from several shore piers. Entry included with some boat tickets. Separate entry ¥20.
Sunrise and Dawn Views
The specific best spots at dawn: Broken Bridge (northeast shore): the bridge and Baochu Pagoda, fog on the water. Su Causeway middle section: fishermen and early morning walkers in both directions. Near the Orioles Singing in the Willow Waves garden (柳浪闻莺): lotus pond reflection. Leifeng Pagoda (雷峰塔) viewpoint (south shore): lake view to the north with all the major landmarks visible. The pagoda itself opens at 8am. The free viewing area outside opens before that.
What to Do Near West Lake
| Activity | Location | Time Needed | Cost |
| Su Causeway walk | West shore of lake | 45 to 60 min | Free |
| Hand-rowed boat | Huagang Park dock, south shore | 1 hour | ¥150/hr (up to 5 people) |
| Lingyin Temple + Feilai Feng | 3 km west of lake | 2 to 3 hours | ¥45 for Feilai Feng + ¥30 Lingyin. Guide. |
| Leifeng Pagoda | South shore | 45 min | ¥40 |
| Longjing tea plantation | Hills west of lake, 30 min by DiDi | 2 to 3 hours | Free entry. Tea tastings vary. Tea guide. |
| Jingci Temple | South shore, 15 min walk | 45 min to 1 hour | Free |
Frequently Asked Questions
For the Hangzhou overview: Hangzhou Travel Guide. For visiting as a Shanghai day trip: Suzhou and Hangzhou Guide. For Lingyin Temple: Lingyin Temple Guide.