Qiandao Lake (Thousand Island Lake) 千岛湖
A vast reservoir of 1,000-plus forested islands in clear water, about two hours from Hangzhou by high-speed train plus bus.
It is a long day by public transport — consider a one-night stay and check the departure pier for your boat in advance, as tours leave from different docks.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to book Qiandao Lake (Thousand Island Lake) in advance?
Advance real-name booking is required (all visitors, including those with free tickets, must register ID); book 1–2 days ahead, or 3 days ahead for boat tickets in peak season, via the official '千岛湖旅游/千岛湖风景区' WeChat account, the official website, or OTA platforms. Do not buy from touts or private speedboats. The pages do not say whether foreigners can book with a passport; they mention entry by ID card or QR code.
How much is a ticket to Qiandao Lake (Thousand Island Lake)?
About ¥130. Peak-season (Apr–Oct, or Mar–Nov per some pages) gate ticket 130 CNY/person; boat ticket charged separately at 65 CNY, so the central-lake combo is about 185–195 CNY and the southeast lake about 130–150 CNY. Off-season (Dec–Feb) gate ticket about 100 CNY. Meifeng Island cable car one-way 60 CNY extra; island food and paid activities are extra. One page claims a 45.5 CNY promotional price from 1 July, which does not match any other source.
How long do I need at Qiandao Lake (Thousand Island Lake)?
Plan about 10 hours.
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