Hangzhou Transportation -- By Ship
As a city with lakes and rivers, Hangzhou delights visitors who are arriving by ship with views of West Lake, Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, and Qiantang River. There are two companies working on water transportation in the city: The West Lake Pleasure Boat Company mainly operates cruises on West Lake, while the Water Bus Company is mainly based on the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal and Qiantang River. Apart from the cruises, visitors can experience the featured transport of this water town—water bus. This is a mode of public transportation by ferry which costs CNY3.
West Lake Cruise
West Lake Pleasure Boat Company operates cruises on West Lake. The operating time of the boat is from 07:30 to 16:30 in spring and summer, and from 08:00 to 16:00 in fall and winter. Visitors can buy tickets and board the cruise at West Lake Wharves.
Grand Canal Cruise
The ancient canal has fresh, new scenery that visitors can see while enjoying one of several cruises on the Grand Canal.
Other Cruises
Notes:
1. All the night cruises operate between June and October.
2. About Xiangji Temple Night Cruise, the ticket for the one way boat travel is CNY30, admission fee for Xiangji Temple is CNY20, visitors can buy the joint ticket, which is CNY48 per person.
3. All the cruises start from Wulinmen Pier, passengers can buy ticket there.
4. Every year in some festivals and holidays, local Water Bus Company would open some special tourist cruises.
Hangzhou Water Bus
Main Piers:
West Lake Cruise
West Lake Pleasure Boat Company operates cruises on West Lake. The operating time of the boat is from 07:30 to 16:30 in spring and summer, and from 08:00 to 16:00 in fall and winter. Visitors can buy tickets and board the cruise at West Lake Wharves.
Grand Canal Cruise
The ancient canal has fresh, new scenery that visitors can see while enjoying one of several cruises on the Grand Canal.
Other Cruises
Routes | Direction | Time | Duration | Ticket Fare |
Qiantang River Night Cruise | Wulinmen Pier→ Grand Canal → Qiangtang River → Wulinmen Pier | 19:15~22:00 | 3 hours | CNY120 |
Canal Night Cruise | Wulinmen→ West Lake Cultural Square → Gongchen Bridge → Wulinmen | 19:30~20:30 | 1 hour | CNY100 |
Xiangji Temple Night Cruise | Wulinmen → Xiangji Temple Pier | 19:30~19:50 | 20 minutes | CNY30/adult |
Grand Canal Sightseeing Line | Wulinmen → West Lake Cultural Square → Gongchen Bridge → Wulinmen | 09:00, 13:00 | 1 hour | CNY50 |
1. All the night cruises operate between June and October.
2. About Xiangji Temple Night Cruise, the ticket for the one way boat travel is CNY30, admission fee for Xiangji Temple is CNY20, visitors can buy the joint ticket, which is CNY48 per person.
3. All the cruises start from Wulinmen Pier, passengers can buy ticket there.
4. Every year in some festivals and holidays, local Water Bus Company would open some special tourist cruises.
Hangzhou Water Bus
Route | Direction | Operating Time | Ticket Fare |
Line 1 | Weekdays: Pujia – Genshanmen – Wulinmen – Xinyifang – Gongchen Bridge; Weekends: Wulinmen – Xinyifang – Gongchen Bridge | Weekdays: 07:00 – 18:10 | CNY3 |
Line 2 | Wulinmen – Xinyifang – Beixinguan – Hemu – Gucui – Gudun – Zijinghua Road – Yangjia Bridge – Jiangcun – Xixi Wuchang Pier | From Wulinmen: 06:20 – 17:30 From Xixi Wuchang Pier: 10:20, 12:00, 14:30, 15:30 | CNY3 |
Line 3 | Datieguan – Zhaohui – Gongda – Daguan – Chengbei Sports Park – Xiwen – Gaotingba – Huanxi Yongning – Hangbo – Beijingyuan - Banshan | From Datieguan: 06:30 – 16:30; From Banshan: 07:30 - 17:30 | CNY3 |
Line 7 | Chaomingsi Lane – Caishiqiao – Kuiyang – The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine – Hangzhou Railway Station - Meihuabei | 07:00 – 17:00 | CNY3 |
Main Piers:
- Wulinmen Pier (by the river near Wulin Square)
- Gongchen Bridge Pier (near Canal Cultural Square)
- Genshanmen Pier (near Yunhe Bridge, Shaoxing Road)
- Xinyifang Pier (near Jiangzhang Bridge)
Notes:
1. Passengers can pay the water bus fare by Hangzhou Transportation Smart Card.
- Last updated on Oct. 24, 2024 by Gabby Li -
Questions & Answers on Getting Around Hangzhou By Ship
Asked by Jack from NEW ZEALAND | Oct. 30, 2024 18:03Reply
I paid 168 yuan, is this right?
Hello, last night I went on the one hour night cruise, 7.30pm to 8. 30pm. I was charged 168 yuan. The lady had me transfer the money to her personal WeChat account. Was I ripped off? How much is this night cruise? Thanks.
Answers (1)
Answered by Rita | Oct. 30, 2024 22:47
00Reply
I think you may be ripped off. As I know, the cruise ticket is CNY 50-90.
Asked by Magda from POLAND | May. 05, 2019 02:55Reply
Hi, do you know that Hangzhou canal night Cruise is available now?
And how much its cost? I can buy ticket on boat or somewhere earlier? Maybe i need book it?:)
Answers (1)
Answered by Jerry from USA | May. 07, 2019 02:42
00Reply
Yes, it is available now. You can buy tickets at Wulinmen Wharf and it costs around CNY100 per person.
Asked by Subhash from INDIA | Jul. 23, 2018 01:15Reply
is there a day boat service to shanghai from hangzhou?
please indicate the starting point at HZ and drop off point at shanghai.
Answers (1)
Answered by Riki from SPAIN | Jul. 23, 2018 19:13
00Reply
There is no cruise between the two cities longer. You can choose to take a coach or a high speed train.
Asked by Malini from MALAYSIA | Oct. 31, 2016 21:22Reply
Will the Grand Canal Night Cruise be available in December 2016?
Answers (3)
Answered by Nancy from USA | Nov. 01, 2016 04:31
00Reply
Yes, the night cruise will be available then. The cruises depart at 19:10 and 20:20 from Wulinmen Wharf at No. 208, North Huancheng Road. The trip takes about 1 hour, and the fare is CNY 100. ;)
Answered by Malini from MALAYSIA | Nov. 01, 2016 06:34
01Reply
Thanks Nancy.
However the above paragraph says that the night cruises operate between June and October. So im wondering wtr they dont operate in nov and dec??
However the above paragraph says that the night cruises operate between June and October. So im wondering wtr they dont operate in nov and dec??
Answered by Michael from FINLAND | Nov. 02, 2016 02:56
00Reply
Don't worry. You can still have the night cruise in November and December.