West Lake 西湖
The UNESCO-listed heart of Hangzhou, a 6 sq km lake ringed by causeways, pagodas and willow-lined promenades that has inspired Chinese poetry for a thousand years.
Rent a shared bike and ride the 15 km loop early in the morning before tour groups arrive; avoid weekends and Golden Week.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to book West Lake in advance?
No advance booking is needed.
What are the opening hours of West Lake?
Lakefront core area open 24 hours
How much is a ticket to West Lake?
Entry is free. The lake itself, the lakeside greenways, Su Causeway and Bai Causeway are free and require no reservation. Individually ticketed attractions inside the scenic area are charged separately: Leifeng Pagoda ¥40, Yuewang Temple (岳王庙) ¥25, Three Pools Mirroring the Moon incl. boat ¥55; Lingyin Feilai Peak (incl. Lingyin Temple, Yongfu Temple, Taoguang Temple) dropped its combined ¥75 fee (¥45 scenic + ¥30 incense coupon) from 1 Dec 2025 and is now free but requires booking. Hangzhou Park Card / Culture-Tourism Pass covers some paid sites; free entry at some sites on China Tourism Day (19 May).
How long do I need at West Lake?
Plan about 3 hours.
Nearby in Hangzhou
Get a guide planned around you in Hangzhou.
Build my guide