Home/China Attractions/Zhejiang/West Lake (Xihu) Tourism Area, Hangzhou

5A Tourism Area

Designated 2007

West Lake (Xihu) Tourism Area, Hangzhou

杭州市杭州西湖风景区

Zhejiang, Hangzhou★ 4.5Designated 2007·30.1928°N, 120.2767°E

Ticket Price

Free

Duration

3 to 5 hours

Rating

4.5 / 5.0

Designated

2007

About West Lake (Xihu) Tourism Area, Hangzhou

A serene lake scenic area in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, with crystal-clear waters and picturesque lakeside scenery.

Highlights

Free 5A lake with the 'Ten Scenes' (Su Causeway, Leifeng Pagoda, Three Pools Mirroring the Moon); the UNESCO West Lake Cultural Landscape; historic temples, islands and gardens.

Suggested Route

Classic 6–8h loop: Broken Bridge → Bai Causeway → Gu Shan → boat to Three Pools → Flower Harbor → Su Causeway → Leifeng Pagoda → lakeside night; walk, cycle or use the hop-on shuttle.

Food & Lodging

Try West Lake Vinegar Fish, Longjing Shrimp and Louwailou by the lake; budget eats at Zhiweiguan; stay around Hubin or along Beishan Street.

Facilities

Free entry, lakeside parking, ring-lake shuttle (40 yuan per loop), restrooms, accessible boardwalks and boat piers; very crowded on holidays.

Travel Tips

Check official website for current information. Respect local customs and regulations. Best visited during mild weather seasons.

How to Buy Tickets

Passport booking guide for West Lake (Hangzhou) · verified 2026-08-16

⏰ When to book

Free to visit — no ticket. Optional boat rides and a few paid sights (e.g. Lingyin Temple) can be booked on-site or via platforms.

🛂 Passport requirement

No booking needed for the lake itself.

🎟️ Where to book

OFFICIAL

Boat rides (official docks) — Pay at the dock; prices posted.

OTA

Trip.com ↗ — Boats, show tickets and day tours.

💡 Tip: Best at sunrise or sunset. Rent a bike to loop the lake.

📅 Best Time & Crowds

Best season: Spring (March-May) and Autumn (September-November)

🏮Golden Week alert: May 1-5 and Oct 1-7 are China's biggest travel peaks — top attractions sell out days ahead. Book tickets the moment they open.

⏰Many museums and palaces close on Mondays (e.g. Forbidden City, National Museum). Plan around it.

Location

View on interactive map →

View Trip →

💱

Book Tickets & Tours

Trip.com

Hotels, tickets & tours

Klook

Tickets & experiences

Buying tickets as a foreign visitor

• Most 5A/4A sites require real-name registration — bring your passport.

• Tickets often must be booked in advance online — peak season & holidays sell out quickly.

• Some remote or border-area sites have entry restrictions for foreign visitors — check before you travel.

External booking links. Prices may vary.

Some links are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only link to platforms travelers actually use.

Opening Hours

Peak season: 8:00-18:00; Off-season: 8:30-17:00. Boat tours operate during daylight hours.

Getting There

Metro Lines 1 to Longxiangqiao / Line 3 to West Lake Cultural Square; ~12 km from Hangzhou East HSR Station; ~30 km from Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport.

Reservation

Free open lake; some attractions require online reservation/timed tickets via official platform.

Ticket Price

Free

Address

Zhejiang Province Hangzhou City Xihu District Longjing Road No. 1

📍 中文地址 / Chinese Address

杭州市杭州西湖风景区

浙江省杭州市西湖区龙井路1号

Zhejiang Province Hangzhou City Xihu District Longjing Road No. 1

30.1928, 120.2767

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