Hello everyone! When it comes to picturesque places around Hangzhou, Qiandao Lake definitely ranks at the top of the list.
People from Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai should be familiar with it, so familiar that I don’t even know what else to write about it. It’s precisely because we think we know it so well that I haven’t updated the Qiandao Lake travel guide for four years.However, after this in-depth experience at Qiandao Lake, I want to say that I had only experienced less than 1% of the beauty of Qiandao Lake before.
Qiandao Lake is a genuine mountain city with undulating terrain, built along the mountains, giving it a unique sense of layers and three-dimensional beauty. Moreover, the locals’ love for spicy food is no different from that of the people in Chongqing and Sichuan, making the nickname “Little Chongqing” very fitting.
When you come to Qiandao Lake, don’t just eat fish head soup. Not only are there a variety of Chun’an snacks, such as tofu buns, rice soup, and rice cakes, but there are also fresh and spicy Chun’an dishes. The deliciousness and price index make me want to stay here forever. I’ll keep you in suspense; the Qiandao Lake food guide will be released separately in the next issue.
This time, I discovered that the ancient villages around Qiandao Lake have all been opened for free, making it the perfect time to visit and experience the local customs of Chun’an up close.
Qiandao Lake also offers a wide range of outdoor experiences, from soaring in the sky to diving into the “sea,” and trekking through mountains and waters. You can do it all here.
To sum it up in one sentence: Qiandao Lake is far more than just a lake, and the food in Qiandao Lake is far more than just fish head. Even though I had been to Qiandao Lake no less than ten times before, this experience made me feel that Qiandao Lake is worth visiting many more times.
Driving Around the Lake
Self-driving is the best choice for an in-depth tour of Qiandao Lake. Whether you’re driving from the surrounding area or renting a car after getting off the high-speed train, it’s very convenient.
Driving clockwise around the lake from the central lake area is a smoother route. The entire loop around the lake is about 150km, and it’s reasonable to allocate 1-2 days for the trip.
A one-day itinerary can include 6-9 hours of sightseeing, driving across the Qiandao Lake Bridge at sunset, or reaching the Tianyu Mountain viewing platform before sunset.
For a two-day itinerary, you can stay overnight in Jiangjiazhen or Wenyuan Lion City.
First Stop: Xiajiang Village
- Navigation: Xiajiang Village Visitor Service Center
- Ticket: Free
Chunyang Line is the most scenic section of the loop route. If you come from mid-March to early April, you can also see vast fields of rapeseed flowers along the way. After about 1 hour of driving, you’ll reach Xiajiang Village.
This small village with over 800 years of history became famous two years ago because of the movie “My People, My Hometown.”
At that time, actor Fan Wei’s performance brought tears to many people’s eyes. After becoming famous, the village urgently discussed whether to charge admission fees and develop tourism to become rich. In the end, they decided to offer free admission but improve the supporting facilities, with every household opening a bed and breakfast to welcome guests from all over.
The village’s parking lot is well-constructed and can accommodate RVs (charging 20 yuan per vehicle), and it’s even equipped with charging piles.
Although new houses are now everywhere and the villagers’ living standards are quite good, this place was still a poor and remote village in the 1990s.
Through road construction, returning farmland to forests, and utilizing green energy and digital technology, the village’s ecological environment has been improved, and the villagers’ income has also increased significantly. Because of this, it is known as “the place where dreams begin.
There are only two old houses left in the village, one is the Jiang Residence, and the other is where the Lion City Winery is located. The former is not open to the public, while the latter is a two-story wooden structure with a courtyard that can be visited for free, and you can also taste the locally brewed wine (remember not to drink and drive).
Now, the villagers’ income mainly depends on sericulture, beekeeping, and planting fruit trees. In the orchard behind the village, there are mulberries, grapes, peaches, and persimmons, and you can have different harvests in different seasons.
Dining here is very convenient, as almost all homestays have restaurants.
The freshness and tenderness of stream grouper can only be tasted in the mountains. Dried tofu is a specialty of Qiandao Lake. Black sesame, dried chili, and other ingredients are added when making tofu, which is then pressed into tofu and roasted on charcoal fire until golden on both sides and chewy inside. When sliced and stir-fried with chili, it’s incredibly fragrant.
Second Stop: Qinchuan Ancient Town
- Navigate to: Qinchuan Ancient Village – South Gate
- Ticket: Free
Qinchuan Ancient Village is about a 40-minute drive from Xiajiang Village, with beautiful scenery along the way. Park your car in the parking lot at the South Gate and walk 300 meters north. You’ll see two camphor trees with a history of over 500 years standing at the village entrance, welcoming you. The roots of the two trees are intertwined, and they are called the “couple trees.”
Qinchuan Ancient Village is a 750-year-old village that has preserved many ancient Huizhou-style buildings from the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
The village is not very big, built along both sides of the Qinchuan Stream that flows through it, and it’s about one kilometer from the head of the village to the end.
Walking upstream to appreciate the ancient village’s features, with small bridges over flowing water, white walls and black tiles, and green mountains and white clouds in the distance, it feels as if time has gone backwards, and the entire village is immersed in a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere.
This ancient village, steeped in the passage of time, is not filled with a commercial atmosphere. The stream murmurs by the side, and cooking smoke rises in spirals. People still adhere to the farming lifestyle, working from sunrise to sunset.
Third Stop: Wenyuan Lion City
- Navigate to: Wenyuan Lion City Tourist Resort – Xingwen Gate
- Ticket: Free
Lion City was originally the county seat of Sui’an County, named after the Five Lions Mountain behind it.
The real ancient Lion City and Five Lions Mountain have both sunk to the bottom of the lake, and this place is a one-to-one replica of the original ancient Lion City.
Wenyuan Lion City has reconstructed seven memorial archways and five city gates of the ancient Lion City, with buildings mainly in the style of Huizhou folk houses, featuring gray ridges and white walls.
There are also displays of traditional handicrafts such as weaving, tie-dyeing, bamboo weaving, and lacquer fans.
On weekdays, there are not many people, and visitors can quietly experience this history submerged by water as they wander through the alleys of white walls and gray tiles.
Fourth Stop: Meifeng Viewing Platform
- Navigate to: Duotangwu Forest Farm
- Ticket: Free
I discovered this viewing platform by chance. The parking lot is on the left side, 50 meters ahead of the navigation location.
Originally, I wanted to go to a viewing platform that reportedly required a bit of a hike, but a local advised me that the trees there were too tall, limiting the view. They recommended I go to a viewing platform 100 meters ahead, which only required climbing a few dozen steps.
From the pavilion, you can see the lake view from afar and even the distant harbor bridge, which can be considered a substitute for Meifeng Island without taking a boat.
Fifth Stop: Tianyu Mountain Viewing Platform
- Navigate to: Tianyu Mountain Scenic Area Parking Lot
- Ticket: 50 yuan (does not include: 30 yuan for the scenic escalator ticket, 10 yuan for the scenic shuttle bus ticket down the mountain, 150 yuan for the forest water slide ticket)
The Tianyu Mountain Viewing Platform used to have free admission, but I don’t know when they started charging for tickets.
However, because of its high altitude, it is the perfect vantage point to overlook the Qiandao Lake Bridge, and it is still highly recommended to go up the mountain for the view.
The escalator up the mountain is a blessing for lazy friends, allowing for a painless ascent, taking about 10 minutes to reach the summit. You can also choose not to buy the escalator ticket and hike up the mountain, which takes about 50 minutes.
There are three sections of the escalator and three viewing platforms. The first one has an average view, while the latter two are suitable for taking photos.
If you go to watch the sunset in summer, it is especially suitable to purchase the night ticket for 50 yuan, which includes the entrance ticket, escalator ticket, and downhill shuttle bus ticket, equivalent to 60% of the daytime ticket price. You can enter after 18:30, just in time for the 19:00 sunset.
💡 Additional information: There are two more niche attractions along this route, but since they are more seasonal, you can arrange them according to your time and interests.
Matcha Plantation
Navigate to: Qiandao Lake Matcha Plantation, Loudi Natural Village, Wang Village, Fengshuling Town, Chun’an County
On the way from Xiajiang Village to Qinchuan Ancient Village, you will pass by a large tea mountain. However, the actual scenery of this matcha plantation is somewhat below expectations.
🍠 The pictures online look like this, but in reality, it looks like this ⬇️.
Later, I learned that the spring tea is harvested in early May, and then the tea mountain is completely pruned.
As a hardcore matcha lover, I tried drinking it pure. Objectively speaking, in terms of both color and taste, it is not inferior to imported matcha powder. Indeed, the quality of domestic matcha has been improving in recent years, after all, matcha originated in our Song Dynasty. It should still be quite good to come in spring. In summer, there is also matcha ice cream.
Ideal Garden
- Navigate to: Qiandao Lake Ideal Garden Starry Sky Campsite
- Ticket: 38 yuan (including use of the stargazing table and chairs and one cup of American coffee), book on the “51CAMP” mini-program
- Check-in time: 10:00-17:00
This campsite is located 8km north of the Qiandao Lake Bridge, occupying a large hillside and enjoying 800 acres of lake and mountain scenery.
The campsite offers afternoon tea and overnight stays, with ready-to-stay starry sky tents, or you can pitch your own tent. The parking lot design is very reasonable and quite close to the campsite.
⚠️ Self-driving precautions:
- The speed limit on Qiandao Lake Highway is 60km/h, with full-course speed detection.
- Two-way, two-lane road, pay attention to whether there are no-passing signs when overtaking.
- Park in designated parking lots, do not park arbitrarily on either side of the road.
World-class, stunningly beautiful cycling greenway
In addition to self-driving, you can also choose to cycle around the lake. The Qiandao Lake Greenway is a cycling path that has hosted Asian Games events, with fantastic scenery along the way. The full length is 138 kilometers, divided into the Qianfen Line (North Line) and Chunyang Line (South Line). The clockwise route is recommended, with the main line having a 55% lakeside rate, passing through 9 townships and connecting 40 villages along the way.
The loop is quite difficult, so cycling enthusiasts who want to challenge themselves must make adequate preparations and allocate 1-2 days.
Chunyang Line has the most beautiful scenery, with flat roads and gentle slopes, and a medium difficulty level. However, 70 kilometers is still a bit long for beginners.
Qianfen Line, the same route as Wu Lei, has a higher cycling difficulty, with not only many climbs but also several tunnels to pass through.
So, how should beginners choose if they want to experience cycling? Don’t worry, I’ve found a short experience route with stunning scenery that can be arranged on the same day as self-driving.
Beginner Experience Route
- Route: Qiye Station – Cycling Bridge – Qiye Station
- Distance: 14.8km, about 1h
Drive to the Qiye Cycling Station, where you can rent mountain bikes, road bikes, and ladies’ leisure bikes. Then, follow the cycling greenway southward and ride to the cycling bridge exclusively for bicycles, returning along the main road back to the station. This section has a high lakeside rate, allowing you to experience the joy of cycling without consuming too much energy and affecting the rest of your itinerary.
Hiking in the green forest
Zhejiang is known as “seven mountains, one water, two fields,” and its rich natural resources provide a natural venue for outdoor sports. Last year, coinciding with the Asian Games, the 2,300-kilometer main line of the “Zhejiang Trail” was officially closed and connected.
Qiandao Lake is exactly where the “Zhejiang Trail” passes through, and hiking a trail while traveling to Qiandao Lake has become a must-do for outdoor enthusiasts.
Shepherd’s Valley
- Route: Shiling Foot Village – Thousand Island Lake Ruyi Resort Hotel
- Ticket: Free
The one-way route is not very difficult, with mostly flat roads and beautiful scenery. The total distance is 5.5 kilometers, with a cumulative climb of 198 meters, taking about 2 hours. The route can be walked in both directions from the starting point to the end point.
The return trip of the loop route has more ups and downs and is more physically demanding, so it is not recommended for beginners to challenge. The total distance is 10.6 kilometers, with a cumulative climb of 393 meters, taking about 3-4 hours.
The highlight of this route is in the middle 2/3 section. Surrounded by towering fir trees, flowing streams, lush ferns, and fluttering little butterflies, it feels like a secret realm in the valley, like a green light forest from a fairy tale.
If you go on a sunny day, the sunlight penetrates through the gaps between the leaves and shines on the path ahead, as if guiding our way.
After cleansing your lungs in the forest oxygen bar, you can taste the pure and slightly sweet “Farmer’s Spring Water” to complete this purifying journey.
Water activities for close contact with the lake water
How can you not play in the water when you come to Thousand Island Lake? There are many choices for water activities, such as paddle boarding, kayaking, boat tail surfing…
Currently, there are two major water sports clubs at Thousand Island Lake. Lake People is closer to the central lake area, while Chaser has a larger water area. This time, I experienced the latter.
Thousand Island Lake Chaser Water Sports Center
- Address: Building 4, No. 669 Muzhou Avenue, Thousand Island Lake
- Ticket price: 168 yuan for 90 minutes of kayaking (including coach); 188 yuan for 90 minutes of paddle boarding (including coach).
It is a 15-minute drive from the central lake area, and you can also check in at the internet-famous lighthouse and Beer Town.
Paddle boarding exercises the body’s coordination and balance abilities, suitable for friends who want to experience soaking in Farmer’s Spring Water. Remember to bring a change of clothes.
Kayaking has higher stability and is relatively easy to learn. The coach will teach you how to use the paddle to move forward, backward, turn, and stop in just a few minutes. After that, it’s time to practice in the water. The coach will provide one-on-one protection and guidance throughout the process, ensuring a high level of safety. This sport is suitable for both adults and children (over 1 meter tall).
Freely shuttling on the lake surface and feeling the embrace of the natural wind is an amazing feeling.
It’s too sunny in the afternoon, so it’s recommended to go after 5 pm. You can also float in the middle of the lake to watch the sunset and quietly enjoy the reflection of the lake water and the afterglow.
⚠️ Water activity precautions
- Put electronic devices like mobile phones in waterproof bags.
- Choose quick-drying clothes as much as possible and prepare an extra set of clean clothes.
- There is no shelter on the lake, so be sure to take good sun protection measures.
Every time I drive from the highway towards the lake area, I see a building with a very unique facade design, featuring both traditional wooden lattices and modern glass curtain walls. The words “Chun’an Museum” catch my eye. I have passed by many times but never entered.
This time, on my way back, I visited it. I didn’t expect it to have such a big impact on me, so I specially recommend it to everyone at the end of this article.
Chun’an Museum
- Address: No. 113 Pearl First Road, Pearl Peninsula, Thousand Island Lake Town, Hangzhou
- Ticket: Free, make an appointment on the “Chun’an County Museum” WeChat official account. Reservations are required in advance on weekends and holidays.
- Time: Tuesday to Sunday 9:00-16:30, closed on Mondays (except statutory holidays)
The museum has four floors: the first floor is the preface hall (including a temporary exhibition hall), the second floor is the history hall, the third floor is the migration hall, and the fourth floor is the intangible cultural heritage hall.
The most unforgettable exhibition hall for me is the migration hall, which truthfully records the bits and pieces of 300,000 people who left their homes and hometowns for the country.
Accommodation Recommendations
- Xianshan Peninsula – Thousand Island Lake InterContinental Resort: The king of resort hotels at your doorstep, suitable for family trips with many parent-child activities. The Xianshan Botanical Garden (free) next to the hotel is worth a visit.
- Central Lake Area – Thousand Island Lake Minghao International Resort Hotel, close to the pier, convenient for taking a boat to the islands.
- Xiushui Square – Thousand Island Lake Sheraton Resort Hotel/Thousand Island Lake Kaiyuan Resort, close to the lively Xin’an Street, convenient for shopping and dining.
Transportation Tips
- Self-driving: Hangzhou to Thousand Island Lake, about 2 hours; Shanghai to Thousand Island Lake, about 3 hours and 40 minutes.
- High-speed rail: From “Hangzhou East” station to “Thousand Island Lake” station, the fastest is 49 minutes, 🎫 ticket price is 70 yuan. Take the hotel shuttle bus from the high-speed rail station to major hotels in the urban area, 💰 15 yuan/person, about 40 minutes.
