Leifeng Pagoda
Hangzhou, China
West Lake, Hangzhou
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Photo: Louisa Salazar, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Free; island boat ¥55
- Hours
- Lakeshore and causeways open 24 hours; tour boats daytime, roughly 8:00–17:00
- Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 3 h
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Admission
- Free — lakeshore, causeways and lakeside parks have no gates or ticket booths
- Island boat (Three Pools)
- Unofficial: ¥55 standard, ¥70 painted boat, landing on Xiaoyingzhou included
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Hand-rowed boat
- Unofficial: ¥150 per hour per boat (up to 6), 7:00–18:00
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Musical fountain
- Nightly at 19:30 off Hubin, on the city’s autumn–winter schedule; cancelled in high wind or heavy rain
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Metro
- Line 1, Longxiangqiao (龙翔桥), 5 min walk to the water; Fengqi Road (Lines 1 and 2) for Broken Bridge
- Sightseeing carts
- Unofficial: ¥10 per section, ¥40 for the ≈ 13.5 km loop
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Payment
- Alipay or WeChat Pay linked to a foreign Visa/Mastercard; carry some cash
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Chinese name
- 西湖 (Xīhú)
Key facts
2011inscribed by UNESCO as the West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou
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English and Russian WikipediaChina DailyFreethe lakeshore and parks — the city took down the fences and ticket gates in 2002
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English WikipediaChina for Travelers≈ 15 kmof shoreline — a full day on foot
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English and Russian Wikipedia6.39 km²of water, 3.2 km north to south and 2.8 km east to west
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English WikipediaChina Daily2.8 kmSu Causeway with six bridges, built under the poet-governor Su Shi
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English WikipediaChina for TravelersCtrip≈ 1 kmBai Causeway, from Broken Bridge to Gushan island
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China for TravelersCtripTen Scenesthe classic list of West Lake views, dating back to the Song dynasty
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English and Russian Wikipedia¥1 notethe back of the fifth-series one-yuan note shows the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon
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Russian WikipediaToutiaoOur China Story2.27 maverage depth of the lake
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English and Russian WikipediaGushanthe lake’s only natural island; the others are man-made
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English and Russian WikipediaIs West Lake free?
Yes. The lakeshore, both causeways, Gushan island and the lakeside parks are free and open around the clock — there are no gates. You pay only for boats and for separate sights around the lake, such as Leifeng Pagoda or temples in the hills.
Payment works the Chinese way: Alipay or WeChat Pay linked to a foreign Visa or Mastercard covers boats, carts, shared bikes and snacks. Keep some small yuan notes as a backup in case a scan fails.
West Lake boat rides and prices
We couldn’t find an official English price list. A Hangzhou city newspaper and the China for Travelers guide agree on the main fares: the standard tour boat to Xiaoyingzhou island (Three Pools Mirroring the Moon) costs ¥55 per person, the painted boat ¥70, with island entry included. Boats leave from piers along Hubin, at Huagang (Viewing Fish at Flower Harbour) and at Qianwang Temple.
A hand-rowed boat with a boatman costs ¥150 per hour for up to six people, then ¥75 per extra half hour — agree the route and time before you step in. There’s also a hop-on lake boat, ¥6–8 per stop, and self-drive boats near Broken Bridge. Sailings run roughly 8:00 to 16:30–17:00 and stop in high wind or storms.
Is the boat worth it? The island is the only way to see the stone lanterns from the one-yuan note up close, and the lake looks different from the water. If you’re short on time, skip the boat and walk Bai Causeway instead.
What to see at West Lake
- Broken Bridge (Duanqiao, 断桥) — the stone bridge at the start of Bai Causeway, where, in the legend, the White Snake is reunited with her husband; ‘Lingering Snow on Broken Bridge’ is one of the Ten Scenes.
- Bai Causeway — about 1 km of willows and peach trees from Broken Bridge to Gushan, named after the Tang poet Bai Juyi, who governed Hangzhou.
- Gushan island — the lake’s only natural island, with gardens, pavilions and the Xiling Seal Engravers’ Society.
- Su Causeway — 2.8 km and six bridges across the western lake, built under Su Shi in the late 11th century; ‘Spring Dawn at Su Causeway’ heads the Ten Scenes.
- Three Pools Mirroring the Moon — three small stone pagodas in the water off Xiaoyingzhou island, reachable only by boat.
- Leifeng Pagoda on the south shore and the slim Baochu Pagoda on the hill to the north — your landmarks from anywhere on the water.
- Viewing Fish at Flower Harbour — a garden of koi ponds at the south end of Su Causeway.
How to get to West Lake
Tap a route to highlight it on the map.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
On foot
- Leifeng Pagoda is about 17 min away on foot.
- China National Silk Museum is about 23 min away on foot.
More tips
- From central Hangzhou take Metro Line 1 to Longxiangqiao (龙翔桥). It’s a 5-minute walk west to the Hubin lakefront.
- From Hangzhou East railway station, Line 1 runs direct to Longxiangqiao in about 20 minutes.
- From Xiaoshan Airport (HGH), Line 1 runs direct to Longxiangqiao. On the way back, board a train marked Airport (机场): some Line 1 trains branch off to Xiasha instead. Or take Line 19 to Hangzhou East and change to Line 1.
- For Broken Bridge, Fengqi Road (Lines 1 and 2) is about 15 minutes on foot; for Hefang Street, use Wushan Square (Line 7).
- Then walk along the water. When your feet give up, hop on a sightseeing cart, the lake boat or a shared bike unlocked with Alipay.
How long does it take to walk around West Lake?
The full loop is about 15 km of shoreline, which means a long day with stops. Most visitors don’t need it. The best half day: the east shore at Hubin, Broken Bridge, Bai Causeway and Gushan, a boat to the island, then back to Hubin for the fountain — around 3–4 hours.
Su Causeway alone is 2.8 km, roughly 40 minutes of walking one way. Sightseeing carts follow a clockwise loop of about 13.5 km in about 70 minutes; unofficially they cost ¥10 per section or ¥40 for the whole loop, paid on board.
West Lake musical fountain and evening show
The free musical fountain plays off the Hubin lakefront, a short walk from Longxiangqiao. On the city’s current autumn–winter schedule it starts at 19:30 every night and lasts 15–20 minutes. Arrive half an hour early for a spot by the rail; older guides quoting 19:00 and 20:00 shows are out of date.
Enduring Memories of Hangzhou (formerly Impression West Lake) is Zhang Yimou’s ticketed show staged on the water at Yuehu, on the north shore. It is seasonal — this year’s season opened on 20 March, and it usually takes a winter break — with unofficial prices starting at a little over ¥300. Check dates when you book.
Walk, boat or cart
| On footyou are here | Free | Bridges, causeways, Gushan | Su Causeway ≈ 40 min; loop = a day | 24 hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Island boat | ¥55–70 | Xiaoyingzhou and the Three Pools | Sailing plus a walk on the island | Daytime, till 16:30–17:00 |
| Sightseeing cart | ¥10 per section, ¥40 loop | The whole shore from your seat | Loop ≈ 70 min | Daytime |
Boat and cart prices and times are unofficial. Best half day: walk Bai Causeway and Gushan, take the boat to the island, then return to Hubin for the fountain.
Before you go
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Waterside sights in Hangzhou
Hangzhou’s waterside places scored by YesGo. Tap a column header to sort.
| Grand Canal in Hangzhou | 50 | 1 h 30 min | Free | 9.2 km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Lakeyou are here | 44 | 3 h | Free | — |
| Liuhe Pagoda | 30 | 1 h | ¥20 + ¥10 to climb the pagoda | 4.6 km |
| Wuzhen | 16 | 4 h | Xizha ¥150, Dongzha ¥110, both ¥190 | 65.3 km |
One day in Hangzhou: temple, lake and old street
Lingyin Temple in the hills in the morning, the lake and Leifeng Pagoda in the afternoon, Hefang Street in the evening. Add it to your route and YesGo sets the times and walks.
- Lingyin Temple2 h 30 min · Free, book 1–7 days ahead
- 74 min walk from the previous stopWest Lakeyou are here3 h · Free; island boat ¥55
- 10 min walk from the previous stopLeifeng Pagoda1 h · ¥40
- 41 min walk from the previous stopHefang Street1 h · Free
4 places · about 9 h 35 min with walks · 125 min on foot in total
Nearby and on your route
How to do it right
- Come early or late: in high season, midday tour groups fill the lakefront.
- Don’t try to circle the whole lake in half a day — do the east shore, Bai Causeway and Gushan, and save Su Causeway for another morning.
- Buy boat tickets only at the pier ticket office, and fix the price and route of a rowing boat before boarding.
- Spring brings willows and peach blossom to the causeways; summer brings lotus to Quyuan Garden, another of the Ten Scenes.
- Climb Leifeng Pagoda afterwards for a view of how the causeways split the lake.
- In the evening, Hefang Street is 15–20 minutes’ walk from Hubin for street food.
Questions
Is West Lake in Hangzhou free?
Yes. The lakeshore, causeways and lakeside parks are free and open 24 hours. Boats and some sights around the lake, such as pagodas and temples, charge separately.
How much is a boat ride on West Lake?
Unofficially, ¥55 for the standard boat to Xiaoyingzhou island (¥70 painted boat), or about ¥150 per hour for a hand-rowed boat for up to six people.
How do I get to West Lake by metro?
Take Line 1 to Longxiangqiao, then walk 5 minutes west to the Hubin lakefront. From Hangzhou East station it’s about 20 minutes with no change.
How long does it take to walk around West Lake?
The shoreline is about 15 km, so a full day with stops. The main highlights take 3–4 hours.
Is West Lake worth visiting?
Yes — it’s the reason most people come to Hangzhou. Just avoid Chinese public holidays or come at dawn.
What time is the West Lake musical fountain?
On the current autumn–winter schedule, nightly at 19:30 off the Hubin lakefront, for 15–20 minutes. It may be cancelled in bad weather.
Is Impression West Lake still running?
The show now runs as Enduring Memories of Hangzhou at Yuehu on the north shore. It’s seasonal, from spring to autumn, so check dates before booking.
What is the best time to visit West Lake?
Spring and autumn, early in the morning. Summer is hot but brings lotus flowers; avoid Golden Week in early October.
Can you cycle around West Lake?
Yes, shared bikes unlocked with Alipay or WeChat are everywhere along the shore road. The causeways are busy with walkers, so the shore road is easier.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- English and Russian Wikipedia: West Lake; Wikidata Q502371
- China Daily: West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou — UNESCO listing, size
- Dushi Kuaibao on hangzhou.com.cn: boat types, fares, piers and hours
- Hangzhou Daily on hangzhou.com.cn: autumn–winter fountain and light-show schedule
- Hangzhou Daily: season opening of Enduring Memories of Hangzhou; China Daily: venue and prices
- China for Travelers: West Lake, Hangzhou — boats, carts, metro
- China Discovery: How to Get to West Lake — metro stations and walking distances
- English Wikipedia: Hangzhou Metro Lines 1 and 19, Longxiangqiao station
- Toutiao, Our China Story — the one-yuan note design
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