West Lake show and music fountain: two different evenings
The West Lake stage show is called 最忆是杭州 (Zui Yi Shi Hangzhou), often sold in English as Enduring Memories of Hangzhou or Enchanting West Lake. It grew out of the Impression West Lake production and is a ticketed performance at a fixed venue at 82 Beishan Road on the north shore. The 2026 season began on 20 March 2026 with a 19:40 performance.
The music fountain is a separate event on the water near Lakeside Park No. 3 in Hubin. Do not mix the two up when you plan your evening. The show needs a ticket and the fountain can be watched from the public shore. For tours that include an evening on the lake, see the Hangzhou tours.
Our picks: Impression West Lake
Our take: the show ticket lets you pick your seat. The night show ticket is the plain version, and the boat tour ends at the show with a VIP seat.
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.
Hand-rowed boat and Impression West Lake VIP show
- Hotel transfer in Hangzhou
- One-hour hand-rowed boat
- VIP show seat
An hour in a hand-rowed boat, a walk on Gushan Road and the evening show in a VIP seat. Dinner 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 →
Impression West Lake night show ticket
- Evening show ticket
- Impression West Lake on the water
Just the ticket for the evening show, for when you plan the rest of the day yourself.
Check availability →Evening and night tours around West Lake
Lake cruises, shows and city tours around Hangzhou in the evening, with live prices and availability.
Show and fountain compared
Prices and times for 2026.
| Stage show | Music fountain | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Ticketed performance, 最忆是杭州 | Water and music display on the lake |
| Where | 82 Beishan Road, north shore | Water near Lakeside Park No. 3, Hubin |
| When | 19:40 to 20:35 and 21:00 to 22:15 from 12 September to 30 November 2026 | 19:30 daily, one show, 12 October 2026 to 14 April 2027 |
| Price | CNY 380 standard adult, CNY 310 child | Viewed from the public shore |
| Guaranteed every night | No | No, weather can stop it |
For most visitors, the fountain at 19:30 is the easy first evening, and the stage show is the one to book if you want a seated performance.
Show tickets and rules
What to know before you buy.
Ticket categories
2026 prices are CNY 380 for a standard adult seat and CNY 310 for a child. VIP seats are CNY 420 for adults and CNY 370 for children, and a higher category costs CNY 980.
Children
Children under 1.2 m without their own seat enter free with an adult. Children from 1.2 m to under 1.5 m get a reduced price in standard and VIP seats only. From 1.5 m an adult ticket is needed.
Airline partner rate
Passengers who show a boarding pass within 10 days of arriving in Hangzhou can get a standard seat for CNY 290. It is a special rate for eligible passengers, not the general price.
House rules
Taking photos or recording without permission is not allowed. Large luggage and pets are not allowed in. If weather cancels a performance, a refund applies, but check the terms with your seller.
Not every night
The season and the times above do not mean a show on every evening of the year. Check the current schedule for your date before you plan around it.
The music fountain and the lake at night
Free to watch, weather permitting.
The autumn and winter plan runs from 12 October 2026 to 14 April 2027, with one fountain show at 19:30 every day. Arrive a few minutes early.
Lights along the main shore and business areas run from 18:00 to 22:30. After the fountain you can walk along the shore in the lit evening. Storms and typhoons can suspend night programs, including the fountain, so check conditions on the day. Swimming in the lake is not allowed.
Getting to the show and the fountain
The two sit on different sides of the lake.
Fountain in Hubin
The fountain is on the east side near Hubin. Take Metro Line 1 to Longxiangqiao, which is also the usual stop for the Hubin promenade. Come a little before 19:30 and find a spot at the shore.
Show on the north shore
The show venue is at 82 Beishan Road, near Gushan and the Bai Causeway. For the north shore, take Line 1 to Fengqi Road and continue from there. Allow time for the connection, since the exact walking time depends on your route.
Both in one evening
That is hard, because the fountain at 19:30 overlaps with the 19:40 show. Pick one for your first evening, and see the other on a second night if you stay longer.
Paying for tickets
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, which applies to a standard show ticket. Check the fee in the payment screen.
West Lake show: frequently asked questions
Is the West Lake show still running in 2026?
Yes. The 2026 season began on 20 March 2026. That does not mean a show every night, so check the schedule for your date.
Is the show the same as the music fountain?
No. The show is a ticketed stage performance. The music fountain is a separate event on the water, with one show at 19:30 daily in the plan from 12 October 2026 to 14 April 2027.
How much is a ticket for the West Lake show?
A standard adult seat is CNY 380 and a child seat CNY 310 in 2026. VIP seats are CNY 420 and CNY 370, and a higher category is CNY 980.
Can I watch the fountain for free?
You can watch it from the public shore near Lakeside Park No. 3. Check the current plan and the weather on the day.
Is this the official West Lake show website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not run by the show, the West Lake Scenic Area, the city of Hangzhou or any tour operator.