Hangzhou 3-Day Classic West Lake Tour
Classic West Lake Loop: Leifeng Pagoda + Three Pools Mirroring the Moon + Lingyin Temple
Day-by-Day Itinerary
1
Broken Bridge → Bai Causeway → Gu Shan Island → Yue Fei Temple
Hangzhou West Lake Scenic Area - Broken Bridge
The Broken Bridge, located at the eastern end of Bai Causeway on Hangzhou's West Lake, is one of the most famous attractions on the West Lake and the site of 'Remnant Snow on the Broken Bridge,' one of the 'Ten Scenes of West Lake.' It is famous for its elegant arch and ancient legends, especially the love story of Lady White Snake and Xu Xian meeting in 'The Legend of the White Snake,' which adds to its romantic allure. After a winter snowfall, the sunny side of the bridge melts due to sunlight, while the shaded side remains covered in white snow. When viewed from above, the bridge appears to be broken yet not broken, hence its name. The Broken Bridge is an important passage connecting Bai Causeway and Gushan Island, and an excellent spot to enjoy the scenery of West Lake.
Hangzhou West Lake Scenic Area - Bai Causeway
Bai Causeway, also known as Baisha Causeway, is located within the Hangzhou West Lake Scenic Area, connecting Broken Bridge and Gushan Mountain, and is one of the three famous causeways of West Lake. Bai Causeway boasts beautiful scenery, with willows and peach blossoms planted along its path, making it particularly charming in spring. Since the Tang Dynasty, Bai Causeway, with its natural beauty and historical sites, has profoundly influenced Chinese poets and painters and is an important part of Hangzhou West Lake.
Gushan Island
Gushan Island is located in the West Lake Scenic Area of Hangzhou and is the only natural island in West Lake. It is famous for its unique natural scenery and rich historical and cultural relics, making it an excellent spot for viewing the panoramic West Lake. It is also an important part of West Lake, a national 5A-level tourist attraction. The island boasts numerous attractions, such as the Gushan Branch of Zhejiang Provincial Museum, Wenlan Pavilion, Xiling Seal Art Society, etc., making it an ideal place to experience West Lake's culture and natural beauty.
Hangzhou West Lake Scenic Area - Yue Fei Temple
Yue Fei Temple, also known as Yue Wang Temple, is a traditional Chinese temple built around the tomb of Song Dynasty general Yue Fei, located in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province in eastern China. Yue Fei served the Song Dynasty during the Jin-Song Wars but was executed by the Song Dynasty in 1142 due to court infighting and political pressure during peace negotiations with the Jin state. He and his tomb have since become an enduring symbol of Chinese patriotism. The temple complex was originally built by the Song Dynasty in 1221 after his rehabilitation and has been repaired and expanded multiple times since. Yue Fei was never crowned king during his lifetime, but posthumously received this title as part of his veneration. The current site includes the Yue Fei Temple, a separate Hall of Loyalty and Martyrs, and the tombs of Yue Fei and his son. The sculptures on its spirit path date back to the 12th century. The temple and tomb were declared a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level by the People's Republic of China in 1961, but were severely damaged during the Cultural Revolution in 1966, when Yue Fei was criticized as a feudal class enemy. After Deng Xiaoping came to power, the site was restored in 1979.
2
Leifeng Pagoda Scenic Area → Boat ride on the lake → Three Pools Mirroring the Moon → Flower & Fish Viewing at Flower Harbor → Su Causeway
Leifeng Pagoda Scenic Area
Leifeng Pagoda, located on Sunset Hill on the southern bank of West Lake in Hangzhou, is a five-story, octagonal brick and wood Buddhist pagoda. It was first built in 975 AD by King Qian Chu of Wuyue to enshrine the Buddha's hair relic and pray for national peace and prosperity. During the Ming Dynasty, the pagoda's wooden structure was burned down by Japanese pirates, leaving only the brick tower. In 1924, it collapsed due to disrepair and theft of bricks by locals. Reconstructed and completed in 2002, the new pagoda features modern facilities such as elevators and air conditioning, and preserves the original pagoda's underground palace ruins and excavated artifacts. Leifeng Pagoda is not only the main subject of "Leifeng Pagoda in Evening Glow," one of the Ten Scenes of West Lake, but is also renowned for its close association with the Chinese folk tale "Legend of the White Snake," making it an iconic attraction and an important historical and cultural heritage site in Hangzhou.
Hangzhou West Lake Scenic Area - Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon
Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon is one of the most representative attractions in West Lake, located on Xiaoyingzhou Island. Three stone pagodas are distributed on the island. On every full moon night, lights are lit inside the pagodas, creating the marvelous spectacle of 'Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon' with their reflections in the water and the moon in the sky. The environment here is elegant, the scenery is picturesque, and it is an excellent place to enjoy the beauty of West Lake.
Hangzhou West Lake Scenic Area - Viewing Fish at Flower Pond
Viewing Fish at Flower Pond is one of the Ten Scenes of West Lake, located on the south bank of West Lake, between Su Causeway and Yanggong Causeway. This was once the villa of Lu Yunsheng, an imperial attendant during the Southern Song Dynasty, and was later converted into an imperial garden. The ponds in the garden are planted with red lotuses, hence it is also known as 'Lu Garden' or 'Red Lotus Pond'. There is a pond in the garden where many red carp are kept, and visitors can enjoy watching and playing with the fish here. The park is characterized by 'flowers, harbor, and fish', including attractions such as the Red Fish Pond, Peony Garden, and a large lawn. It is a garden-style park by West Lake, primarily featuring natural landscapes. With its beautiful lake and mountain scenery and elegant views, it is a popular destination for leisure and sightseeing.
Su Causeway
Su Causeway is a famous north-south causeway within the Hangzhou West Lake Scenic Area, and is the location of "Dawn on the Su Causeway in Spring," one of the "Ten Scenes of West Lake." The causeway is adorned with lush flowers and trees, with peach and willow trees lining its banks, creating picturesque scenery. It is one of the classic routes for touring West Lake. It was constructed under the supervision of the Northern Song Dynasty poet Su Shi when he served as the prefect of Hangzhou. The causeway is 2.8 kilometers long and divides West Lake into inner and outer parts. Su Causeway is not only a beautiful scenic line but also carries rich historical and cultural heritage, making it an important component of the World Cultural Heritage site – the West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou.
3
Lingyin Temple → Feilai Peak → Hefang Street / Southern Song Imperial Street
Lingyin Temple
Lingyin Temple (Temple of the Soul's Retreat), also known as "Lingyin Temple", is a renowned Chan Buddhist temple located at the foot of the Northwest Peak of West Lake in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China. It is famous for its numerous pagodas and grottoes. The temple is the largest among several temples in Wulin Mountain (Wǔlínshān), which is known for its famous grottoes and religious stone carvings. According to legend, the temple was founded by the Indian monk Huili during the Eastern Jin Dynasty (328 AD). During its heyday, under the rule of the Wuyue Kingdom (907-978 AD), the temple boasted 18 pavilions, 72 halls, over 1,300 monks' quarters, and housed more than 3,000 monks. Many exquisite Buddhist stone carvings in the Feilai Peak Grottoes and surrounding mountains also date back to this period. Today, Lingyin Temple is a thriving destination for both pilgrims and tourists. It is considered one of the wealthiest temples in China.
Feilai Peak
Feilai Peak, also known as Lingjiu Peak, is located in front of Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou. It stands 168 meters high, boasting breathtaking scenery. It is composed of limestone, with rugged and strangely shaped rocks, distinct from the surrounding mountains. Legend has it that this peak 'flew' here from India, hence its name. Feilai Peak features numerous grottoes and cliffside stone carvings, especially Tibetan Buddhist sculptures from the Yuan Dynasty and Buddhist sculptures from the Song Dynasty, which are historically significant and of extremely high artistic value. The peak is riddled with caves, such as Qinglin Cave, Yurui Cave, Longhong Cave, etc., among which the 'A Ray of Sky' (Yixiantian) landscape in the main cave is particularly captivating. Feilai Peak and Lingyin Temple together form the famous Lingyin-Feilai Peak Scenic Area, a representative attraction showcasing Hangzhou's Buddhist culture and natural beauty.
Hefang Street
Hefang Street is a famous historical and cultural street in Hangzhou, located at the foot of Wushan Mountain, and is an important part of the historical character of Hangzhou's old town. It was once the center of Lin'an City during the Southern Song Dynasty, and still retains a large number of time-honored shops and traditional handicrafts. It is a great place to experience Hangzhou's history and culture, taste local snacks, and buy specialty goods.
Southern Song Imperial Street
Southern Song Imperial Street was the central avenue of Lin'an, the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty. It stretched for approximately 4185 meters and was the essential route for emperors to conduct sacrifices, receive congratulations, issue edicts, and watch folk performances. Today's Southern Song Imperial Street is a historical and cultural block rebuilt on its original site. It retains many time-honored shops and distinctive buildings on both sides, blending historical charm with modern commercial vibrancy. It is an excellent place to experience Hangzhou's history and culture, savor local snacks, and purchase cultural and creative products.
Ready to customize this itinerary?
Chat with Magpie AI to adjust this route to your preferences, add or remove stops, and get personalized recommendations.
Plan with Magpie AI