West Lake at a glance
West Lake, in Chinese Xi Hu, lies in Hangzhou in Zhejiang province. The water surface covers about 6.39 km². Hills rise on three sides and the city sits on the east shore. Three causeways, Su Di, Bai Di and Yanggong Di, divide the lake, and islands such as Xiaoyingzhou, Huxinting and Ruangongdun sit inside it. The West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2011.
The lakeshore is open to walk, and there is no general ticket for the lake itself. You pay separately for boats and for individual sights. This guide covers what visitors actually do: boat rides, the Leifeng Pagoda, Longjing tea villages, the Lingyin Temple, the Xixi Wetland, the evening show and the train from Shanghai. Prices are in Chinese yuan (CNY), for 2026, and they can change.
Boat rides, tours and day trips
The most common ways to see the lake, with the rules that matter.
You can see the lake on foot in a morning, but a boat gives you the island and the view back at the shore. Public island boats leave from several piers around the lake. Boats with a boatman are charged per boat and per hour. The Leifeng Pagoda, the Lingyin Temple, the tea villages and the Xixi Wetland are separate stops with their own tickets and hours, so a day plan works better if you pick two or three of them. If you come from Shanghai, the fast train to Hangzhou East makes a day trip possible. See boat rides, tours and the day trip from Shanghai for the details.
Our picks: West Lake tours, boats and the show
Our take: the day tour covers Lingyin, the lake and Leifeng with tickets. The half-day tour is shorter, and the evening show is the classic night out.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
West Lake half-day tour with cruise and Leifeng Pagoda
- English-speaking guide
- Leifeng ticket with lift
- Large boat cruise
Three hours with a guide: Leifeng with the lift, a large boat round the lake and a walk along the shore. The island landing is extra.
Check availability →
West Lake, Leifeng Pagoda and tea ceremony day tour
- All attraction tickets
- Live guide
- Afternoon tea
A full day from Hangzhou with Lingyin, a boat on the lake and Leifeng, all entry fees included. Lunch is extra.
Check availability →
Impression West Lake show ticket
- Show ticket
- Regular or VIP seat
The evening show on the water, with regular or VIP seats depending on what you book.
Check availability →West Lake boat rides, tours and day trips
Boat rides, tea village visits, temple trips and day tours from Shanghai, with live prices and availability.
Plan your visit
One page for each part of the trip.
Hangzhou tours and excursions
Island boat, pagodas, tea villages and Xixi as separate building blocks.
West Lake boat rides
Island boats, hourly boats with a boatman and self-drive boats, with 2025 and 2026 prices.
Hangzhou from Shanghai
Hongqiao to Hangzhou East by fast train and the metro to the lake.
Things to do in Hangzhou
Fifteen ideas around the lake, from the shore walk to the evening.
The ten scenes of West Lake
The traditional views, from Su Di to the Broken Bridge.
Leifeng Pagoda
Ticket, seasonal hours and the legend of the White Snake.
Longjing tea villages
Dragon Well tea, Meijiawu and the China National Tea Museum.
Lingyin Temple
Free entry, how the reservation works and the opening hours.
Xixi Wetland
Tickets, metro access and why it sits apart from the lakeshore.
West Lake show and fountain
The stage show and the free music fountain are two different events.
Hangzhou food
West Lake fish, Dongpo pork and Longjing shrimp.
West Lake history
Bai Juyi, Su Shi and the 2011 UNESCO listing.
Hangzhou weather
Monthly highs, lows and rainfall for the year.
Best time to visit
Tea in spring, lotus in summer, osmanthus in autumn, and the holidays.
How to get to West Lake
Metro lines from the airport and the two main train stations.
Where to stay in Hangzhou
Hubin, the north shore or Longjing: which area suits your plans.
A few things to know before you go
Rules that changed recently and are easy to miss.
Lingyin Temple is free but needs a reservation
The temple fee ended on 1 December 2025, and the Feilai Feng area is free as well. Since 1 February 2026 you reserve online. Foreign visitors can reserve with a passport, and you book 1 to 7 days ahead.
Lingyin Temple →The stage show and the fountain are different
The stage show is the evening performance with Hangzhou as its theme, and its 2026 season began on 20 March. The music fountain is a separate event at the lakeshore. In the autumn and winter plan it runs one show daily at 19:30 from 12 October 2026 to 14 April 2027.
West Lake show →Train fares are not one fixed price
Rail fares on the Shanghai route vary with season, date, time and class. Make sure your ticket says Hangzhou East, which is not the same as Hangzhou Station.
From Shanghai →Cars face extra rules in autumn
From September to November, on weekends and holidays from 08:00 to 17:00, a plate rule applies around the lake. Parts of the area also need an extra Xihu Tong permit, even for electric cars. Metro and the lake shuttles are the easier choice.
Getting there →Entry to China and paying
Short notes, status 2026.
German passport holders can enter without a visa for up to 30 days for tourism, business, visits, exchange and transit. This rule runs until 31 December 2026 and does not cover official or temporary passports. Hotels normally register you with the police; if you stay in a private home, check the registration rules. For payments, Alipay and WeChat Pay can be linked to suitable foreign cards. Above CNY 200, a fee of 3 percent can apply to the whole amount, so check the payment screen. Rules change, so check your government's travel advice before you book.
West Lake Hangzhou: frequently asked questions
Is there an entrance fee for West Lake?
No. You can walk the lakeshore, including Su Di, Bai Di and the Broken Bridge, for free. Boats, the Leifeng Pagoda, the Xixi Wetland and some other sights have their own tickets.
How long do I need at West Lake?
One day covers the shore, a boat to Xiaoyingzhou and one more stop such as the Leifeng Pagoda. Two days leave room for the Lingyin Temple, the tea villages and an evening at the lake. The Xixi Wetland sits outside the direct lakeshore route and needs its own half day.
How much does the island boat cost?
In 2026 the island boat to Xiaoyingzhou costs CNY 55 per person for the standard boat and CNY 70 for the luxury or electric boat. The island fee of CNY 20 is added, and the return trip is included. Children between 1.2 and 1.5 m pay half. See boat rides.
Can I visit Hangzhou as a day trip from Shanghai?
Yes. The fast train from Shanghai Hongqiao to Hangzhou East takes roughly 45 to 87 minutes, and the metro takes you on to the lake. Add time for the transfers in both cities. See Hangzhou from Shanghai.
When is the best time to visit?
Spring suits tea and blossom, summer brings lotus and heat, and autumn is milder with osmanthus. National holidays are busy. The best time page compares the seasons with the monthly weather.
Is westlakehangzhou.com an official site?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no link to the West Lake Scenic Area, the city of Hangzhou, the Lingyin Temple or any tour operator.