Leifeng Pagoda at a glance
Leifeng Pagoda sits on Xizhao hill on the south shore of West Lake. The old pagoda collapsed on 25 September 1924. The building you visit today is a reconstruction raised over the remains of the old one. The pagoda is also one of the Ten Scenes of West Lake, named for its look in the evening light.
You can pair the pagoda with a lake trip. The Hangzhou tours page covers boat trips and day trips, and the pagoda is an easy stop after a morning on the lake shore.
Leifeng Pagoda tickets and opening hours
Prices and hours for 2026.
| Period | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| 1 May to 31 October | 08:00 to 20:00 |
| 16 March to 30 April | 08:00 to 19:00 |
| 1 November to 15 March | 08:00 to 17:30 |
Adult ticket
The adult ticket is CNY 40. The last entry is about 30 minutes before closing, so arrive earlier in winter, when the site closes at 17:30.
Children, students and seniors
Children up to 6 years or 1.2 m tall enter free. Rules for older children, students and seniors vary, so confirm at the ticket window before you count on a discount. Foreign visitors should not expect an automatic student rate.
How to buy
Advance sales run up to 7 days ahead. Online purchase can require a Chinese ID card, and foreign visitors without one can buy at the ticket window.
For most visitors, a late afternoon visit fits best from May to October, when the pagoda stays open until 20:00. In winter, go before lunch.
Our pick: Leifeng Pagoda tickets
Our take: this ticket adds Chenghuang Pavilion, a second view over the lake.
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 tours that include the pagoda area
Lake cruises, city sights and day trips around West Lake, with live prices and availability.
The legend of the White Snake
A folk tale, not recorded history.
Leifeng Pagoda is tied to the Chinese folk tale known as the Legend of the White Snake (Bai She Zhuan). In the story, a white snake spirit takes human form and falls in love with a human, and the pagoda is the place where she is held captive. The tale has been told in many versions.
This is a legend. Nobody was held under the pagoda, and the tale should not be read as a record of real events.
Getting there and what to combine
Plan the south shore as one stretch.
From Hangzhou East
Take Metro Line 1 to Longxiangqiao. In autumn 2026 a shuttle connects that stop with southern lake destinations. The east station and the main railway station are different, so check the station name on your ticket.
With a boat or a walk
A boat to Xiaoyingzhou costs CNY 55 or CNY 70 per person with a return trip, plus a CNY 20 island fee (2026). The boat ride page lists piers and hours.
Six Harmonies Pagoda
This is a separate site on the Qiantang River, not Leifeng. The park costs CNY 20 and the tower an extra CNY 10 in 2026. It opens 07:00 to 17:30, with entry until 16:55. The number of visitors can be limited, and ticket sales for the tower may pause at busy times. Do not climb on the window sills and keep the stairs clear.
Plan your visit to Leifeng Pagoda
Timing, transport and weather in practice.
Time of day
The pagoda is one of the Ten Scenes for its look in the evening light. From May to October the long opening hours until 20:00 let you see the hill at the end of the day. In the cooler months the site closes at 17:30, so go earlier in the day.
By metro, not by car
From September to November, weekend and holiday car rules apply around the lake. They depend on the last digit of the plate and the calendar day, and some areas need an extra permit, even for electric cars and cars with plates from other cities. The metro avoids all of this.
Bad weather
Storms and typhoons can close parks and sights around the lake. If the forecast is poor, move this visit to another day and keep your ticket purchase for the morning of your visit.
Paying
Foreign bank cards can be linked to Alipay or WeChat Pay in 2026. A payment above CNY 200 can carry a fee of 3 percent on the whole amount. Check the fee in the payment screen and keep some cash as a backup.
More around West Lake
Pages that fit this stop.
Leifeng Pagoda: frequently asked questions
How much is the Leifeng Pagoda ticket?
The adult ticket is CNY 40 in 2026. Check the ticket window for the current price on the day.
What are the opening hours?
From 1 May to 31 October it opens 08:00 to 20:00. From 16 March to 30 April it opens 08:00 to 19:00, and from 1 November to 15 March 08:00 to 17:30. The last entry is about 30 minutes before closing.
Is the White Snake story true?
No. It is a folk legend. The pagoda is real, but the snake spirit and the monk belong to the tale.
Is the pagoda the original?
No. The old pagoda collapsed on 25 September 1924. The present one is a reconstruction over its remains.
Is this the official Leifeng Pagoda website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not run by the pagoda, the West Lake Scenic Area, the city of Hangzhou or any tour operator.