West Lake Cruise

West Lake, Hangzhou

The West Lake in Hangzhou is associated with bewitching beauty and legendary romance. It is likened to Xi Zi, one of the Four Beauties in ancient China. Cruising on the lake, you will marvel at its beauty, and perhaps feel as if you have stepped into a land of magic and fantasy.

 

Scenery on the West Lake

The West Lake is embraced by hills like a gem. The Su Causeway, Bai Causeway, and Yang Causeway, which are like three ribbons, divide the lake into the West Outer Lake, the West Inner Lake, the North Inner Lake, the Yuehu Lake, and the South Lake. There are also natural lake scenes with beautiful names, such as the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, the Lingering Snow on the Broken Bridge in Winter, Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor, Twin Peaks Piercing the Clouds, and the Leifeng Pagoda in Evening Glow. The scenery changes according to the seasons. In spring, trees turn green, and birds fly in the air, chirping and warbling, while in summer the graceful lotus flowers are in full blossom. You can enjoy the tranquil lake in autumn, and smell the fragrant plum blossoms in winter. Everything is so exquisite.

Dragon Boat on West Lake
Dragon Boat on West Lake
 
West Lake Cruise
Rowing Boat

Cruise Information

No matter when you cruise, the view of West Lake is breathtaking. Boats can be hired in many wharfs along the lake. There are some unique boats, such as rowing boats modeled after those of the Qing Dynasty (1644- 1911), painted boats with designs of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127- 1279) and Qing Dynasty, and dragon boats from folktales about West Lake. These boats are of classic elegance even if modern conveniences are added. The detailed cruise information is listed below.

West Lake Cruise Map
West Lake Cruise Map
 

Daytime Cruise

Boats Wharves to Take the Boat Price & Time Destinations
Leisure Boats  Hangzhou Restaurant Wharf;
Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor Park Wharf;
Qianwang Temple Wharf
CNY 55 per person (including entry ticket of the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon) 
8:00- 16:00
Around the lake with a stop at Three Pools Mirroring the Moon
Painted Boats No. 2 Lakeside Park Wharf; CNY 50 per person
09:00 - 16:00
Around the lake
Self-rowing Boats No. 6 Lakeside Park Wharf  CNY 30 per hour per boat
Deposit: CNY 300
08:00 - 16:00
On your own
Self-drive Boats Broken Bridge Wharf  CNY 30 per 0.5h per boat On your own
Rowing Boats No. 1, 2 & 5 Lakeside Park Wharf;
Broken Bridge Wharf;
Zhongshan Wharf;
Hangzhou Restaurant Wharf, etc.
CNY 150 per hour per boat
07:00 - 18:00
Around the lake
Foreign Affairs Boats Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor Park Wharf CNY 50 
08:00 - 16:00
Around the lake

    

Evening Cruise

Boats Wharves to Take the Boat  Price Route
Painted Boats  No. 2 Lakeside Park Wharf;
Children's Palace Wharf 
CNY 50 per person Broken Bridge- Bai Causeway- Moon over the Peaceful Lake in Autumn- Su Causeway- Three Pools Mirroring the Moon- Orioles Singing in the Willows- Leifeng Pagoda - back to the wharf
 
 Tips:
1. Children who stand 3.9 feet (1.2 meters) to 4.9 feet (1.5 meters) in height pay half price; children under 3.9 feet (1.2 meters) in height ride free.
2. The evening cruise boats are for hire from 18:30 to 21:30 during May to August, and from 18:30 to 21:00 during September to November.
3. The boats don't run when it is foggy or rainy.

Wharves along West Lake

Wharves Boats Location
No. 1 Lakeside Park Wharf Rowing boats Crossing of Jiefang Road and Nanshan Road
No. 2 Lakeside Park Wharf Rowing and Painted boats Crossing of Hubin Road and Renhe Road
No. 5 Lakeside Park Wharf Rowing boats Crossing of Hubin Road and Changsheng Road
No. 6 Lakeside Park Wharf Self-rowing boats Crossing of Hubin Road and Jiaochang Road
Children's Palace Wharf Painted boats In front of the Children's Palace
Broken Bridge Wharf Self-drive boats  At the Broken Bridge on the Bai Causeway
Zhongshan Park Wharf Rowing boats  At the south foot of the Solitary Hill
Temple of General Yue Fei Wharf Rowing boats to the Yang Causeway In front of the Temple of General Yue Fei
Hangzhou Restaurant Wharf Leisure Boats At the Crossing Rainbow Bridge on the Su Causeway
Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor Park Wharf Leisure Boats & Foreign Affairs Boats At the east gate of the Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor Park
Qianwang Temple Wharf Leisure boats  In front of the Qianwang Temple
 

- Last updated on Mar. 28, 2024 by Gabby Li -
Questions & Answers on West Lake Cruise
Asked by Susmitha from INDIA | Dec. 24, 2019 18:24Reply
Which is better to tour around Hangzhou West Lake?
Self rowing boats or rowing boats ??
Also , is there a 10 people boat ?? The what is the timing of that and from where should I take it ?
Answers (1)
Answered by Hazel from AUSTRALIA | Dec. 24, 2019 22:47
00Reply


As I know, both boats are nice ways to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the West Lake. In addition, there is a 10 people boat. Don't worry. The operating hours 08:00 to 16:00 (Mar.16-Nov.15) and 10:00 to 15:30 (Nov.16-Mar.15 next year). You can take the cruise boat at Waishi Port, Huagangguanyu, South Gate of Sudi.
Asked by Tamryn from SOUTH AFRICA | Dec. 14, 2019 19:43Reply
Evening trips of Hangzhou West Lake
Hi i would like to book a boat trip for me and my 3 friends for the evening of the 31st. Are their any trips between 4pm and 8pm ?
Answers (1)
Answered by Verna from UKRAINE | Dec. 16, 2019 22:10
00Reply


Well, I am afraid that there is no cruise boat after 16:00. Thus you are suggested to walk around the lake and enjoy the scenery.
Asked by Ninik from INDONESIA | Jul. 26, 2019 15:52Reply
can we hop in and off the boats like hop-in tour bus at Hangzhou West Lake?
or it only goes one circle?
can we hop in and off the boats like hop-in tour bus? or it only goes one circle, and have 1 stop of 40 min at the 3 pools mirroring the moon?
Answers (1)
Answered by Kylie from SINGAPORE | Jul. 30, 2019 23:23
00Reply


No, as I know, it only goes one circle. But you can have a stop at 3 Pools Mirroring the Moon.
Asked by Lee from MALAYSIA | Apr. 24, 2019 02:02Reply
Ticket price about Hangzhou West Lake Cruise
Are the ticket prices listed here 'over-the-counter' prices ?
We purchase tickets at the counter with the same price ?
Answers (1)
Answered by Jone from USA | Apr. 24, 2019 19:38
00Reply


Hi, this is the official price.
Asked by Ekkarat L. from THAILAND | Apr. 19, 2019 06:10Reply
How different between rowing boat and leisure boat at Hangzhou West Lake?
Can you advise how different between rowing boat and leisure boat? If we decided to join rowing boat, it will go around on the same route or not? Thank you very much.
Answers (1)
Answered by Alice from USA | Apr. 22, 2019 00:54
00Reply


The leisure boat is larger and it can contain more passengers. The rowing boat is handled by a fisherman and you can have a close contact with the West Lake. In fact, they have different routes.
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