Visitor Guide to Baoshi Hill, Hangzhou ——"Climb a small hill, overlook a grand lake; half a day of leisure, a lifetime of memories." Baoshi Hill sits on the northern shore of West Lake, with an elevation of just 78 meters, yet it offers one of the most expansive and accessible panoramic views of the lake. The hill’s rocks contain iron oxide, giving them a reddish hue that glows like flowing...

——“Climb North Peak, worship at China’s #1 Fortune Temple; gaze upon West Lake like a mirror, embrace Hangzhou in your view.” Beigao Peak (North Peak) rises behind Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou’s Xihu District, standing at 314 meters—one of the highest and most panoramic vantage points in the West Lake hills. At its summit sits Lingshun Temple, founded in 326 AD during the Eastern Jin...

🏞️Visitor Guide to Mantou Hill, Hangzhou ——“A hill within the city, a village on the hill—where everyday life meets quiet renaissance.” Mantou Hill (literally “Steamed Bun Hill”) is nestled in Shangcheng District, just south of Fenghuangshan Foot Road, adjacent to the ruins of the Southern Song Imperial City (near today’s Deshou Palace and Shengguo Temple sites). Its name comes...

——“Trees grow in water, boats glide through forests; emerald green in summer, fiery red in winter.” Qingshan Lake is located just 5 kilometers east of downtown Lin’an District, Hangzhou. Built in 1964 as a large man-made reservoir, it spans 10 square kilometers of serene water surrounded by rolling hills.Its true magic lies in the “Water Forest”—a stunning wetland of over 10,000 dawn...

——“The bridge is never truly broken—only love lingers long; even without snow, its legend intoxicates.” Duanqiao (literally “Broken Bridge”) sits at the eastern end of Bai Causeway on West Lake, connecting Beishan Road to the west and the heart of the lake to the east.Despite its name, the bridge is perfectly intact—its fame stems from two timeless sources: The immortal romance of...

🏞️ ——“One ancient well, four clear eyes; half-mountain life, a lane fragrant with tea.” Siyanjing (“Four-Eyed Well”) lies on the southwestern edge of West Lake, at the junction of Hupao Road and Manjuelong Road. It’s home to one of Hangzhou’s oldest surviving wells, dating back over 1,300 years to the Tang Dynasty. The well gets its name from the stone slab covering its mouth,...

Quyuan Fenghe (Lotus in the Breeze at Crooked Courtyard), Hangzhou ——“Endless green lotus leaves stretch to the sky; lotus blossoms glow crimson under the sun.” Quyuan Fenghe is one of the Ten Scenic Spots of West Lake, nestled at the northwestern corner of West Lake, between Yue Lake and Su Causeway. Originally a Southern Song Dynasty imperial brewery (“Qu Yuan,” meaning “Brewery...

🏮 Visitor Guide to Dama Nong, Hangzhou ——“In the Heart of Everyday Life Lies the True Spirit of Hangzhou” Nestled between the poetic beauty of West Lake and the bustling energy of Hefang Street lies Dama Nong—a narrow alley less than 200 meters long and barely wide enough for three people to walk side by side. It’s not a tourist attraction, yet it feels more authentic than any; it...

Cong Bao Hui: Crispy spring roll wrappers filled with youtiao (fried dough sticks) and whole scallions, pressed flat on a hot griddle until golden and crunchy, then brushed with sweet-spicy sauce—crisp outside, chewy inside, and irresistibly aromatic. Braised Pig Intestines: Meticulously cleaned and slow-braised until tender and flavorful—so delicious you can enjoy them plain, with no sauce...

🌿 Hangzhou Botanical Garden ——“A Living Museum of Plants, Where Every Season Tells a Story” Located on the northwestern edge of West Lake Scenic Area, at the foot of Taoyuanling Hill, Hangzhou Botanical Garden was established in 1956 and spans 284 hectares (about 700 acres)—making it one of China’s oldest and largest botanical gardens. More than just a research institution,...