Celadon Sky Awaits the Misty Rain — I’m Waiting for You at Xiang Lake
Xiang Lake is ushering in a post-West Lake era for Hangzhou. With mountains, waters, bridges, boats, and stories, flowers bloom all year round, turning it into a wonderland. Xiaoshan’s Xiang Lake is often called the “Little West Lake.”
Pick a weekend, hop in a car, bring the family, book two rooms, and enjoy a full-on Xiang Lake weekend.
【A Celadon Sky Awaits the Misty Rain, and I’m Waiting for You】
◆◆◆ The Treasure of Xiang Lake: Yuewang Road ◆◆◆
As the sister lake of West Lake, it certainly lives up to the name. In recent years, it has even been catching up. The whole circumference of Xiang Lake boasts scenery that rivals, and sometimes surpasses, West Lake — mountains and water blending with the sky, it’s no exaggeration to say they share the same hue. Every step is a view; every hundred meters, a bridge. The more you walk, the longer you’ll sigh... So beautiful. Truly beautiful, worth the trip. Especially with the planting of flowers and trees in recent years, there are blooms in every season, and the scenery keeps getting better. In spring, Xiang Lake is as stunning as an oil painting.
When you come to Xiang Lake, you must not miss Yuewang Road. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons in Hangzhou. Cycling or driving is the best way to loop the lake. Whether you take the inner road or the outer ring, you’ll never be disappointed. Enjoying the lake from multiple angles, with flowers shifting as you go, you’ll feel the urge to pull over and soak it all in at every turn. So, carrying a picnic blanket is the best way to commune with Xiang Lake. In May, even the clover glimmers so brightly. Those little scenes we usually overlook are impossible to ignore amid this vast expanse of lake and mountain.
The area around Yuewang Road centers on the Trans-Lake Bridge (Kuahu Bridge). Stretching out along both sides, this is the most beautiful stretch of Xiang Lake. In spring, Hangzhou is full of drifting willow catkins, starting with vast white hydrangea balls that open like confessions, then to the pink of cherry blossom trees, and finally the wild daisies — that’s how a complete spring is marked. This is also the most beloved picnic spot for Hangzhou locals. If you ask where the best place to “laze around” is in Hangzhou, there’s no question: it’s along Yuewang Road at Xiang Lake. It seems everyone has an unspoken pact: bring your tent, picnic mat, and delicious food, find a “feng shui treasure” spot with lush trees, and start a leisurely holiday of doing absolutely nothing. It’s perfect for all ages, making everyone fall in love with spring here.
Tips: Hammocks are not allowed on Yuewang Road; the patrolling young staff will ask you to take it down right away. Love nature, protect nature — let’s all do our part.
◆◆◆ The Essence of Xiang Lake: The Full Loop ◆◆◆
The most alluring part of Xiang Lake is, of course, the water. The green hills and crystal-clear lake look like an oil painting of the countryside — simple and natural. Besides driving or cycling, taking a boat out on the lake is the only way to truly feel its expanse. Xiang Lake has several docks where you can hop on and off. When you’ve had your fill, pick a dock you like, board a boat, and take a spin — easiest thing in the world. Children and the elderly especially enjoy this leisurely boat ride, with shimmering water and harmonious hills all around. There are two ticket types: if you want no regrets, go for the 60 RMB per person ticket, a 60-minute loop around the whole lake. There's also a shorter 30-minute option.
In summer, the boats have air conditioning, so no worries about the heat. Each boat usually departs full, with some spare seats but not many. The boat moves slowly and steadily, offering enough freedom to move around and snap photos of the shore from different angles. The stern offers the widest view, where you can see the wake trailing behind. The boat passes one bridge after another, while a guide tells stories of this place — it feels as leisurely as listening to a traditional storyteller in ancient times. “Birds!” my little one suddenly exclaimed. Perhaps the scenery was too beautiful, as the big trees in the water were packed densely with white herons. We glided by leisurely, they lived leisurely, each minding our own, not disturbing one another. What a wonderful scene.
The sun sparkled on the water; the grass on the banks seemed to awaken, willow branches swaying gently. Sitting by the shore could lift your spirits.
The boat docked at several points; I roughly counted three disembarkation stops. They say you can get off to explore and later catch a boat back to the starting wharf. When I started feeling a bit tired, we finally returned to where we began. Having experienced Xiang Lake both by “sea” and by land, it felt like a complete adventure.
◆◆◆ The Heavenly Flower Sea of Xiang Lake ◆◆◆
From May to June, Xiaoshan’s Xiang Lake gets another dose of beauty. After seeing the early cherry blossoms, hydrangeas, pinks, and vast clover fields in April, I thought nothing could stun me anymore. Then I fell silent amid great swathes of oleander, white clover, aster, wild chrysanthemums, and roses. Yes, you read right — these aren’t all the flowers blooming at Xiang Lake, but it’s true: the blooms never stop. By any roadside, you’ll find a sea of flowers. Conveniently, there’s a parking lot every 50 meters, making it super easy to hop out and play.
Even the humble wildflowers here stretch out on a grand scale. My little one rushed gleefully into the flowers, which stood as tall as a person, utterly adorable. At Xiang Lake, there’s only one travel tip: if you think it’s beautiful, don’t hesitate to stop. Miss a spot, and you might miss a fairyland. This is no exaggeration, and it’s well worth the trip. Along Fengqing Avenue, the flowers bloom endlessly, spreading over hills and fields. This patch of yellow-and-white wildflowers evokes the impressionist feel of Monet’s “Poppy Field.” As you climb the slope, the view gets wider. Below is a road lined with buildings in the imitation Hui style — white walls, black tiles — showing the full charm of Jiangnan. Look up, and a blue sky with white clouds drops you straight into a European flower meadow. Kick off and start snapping — every frame becomes an oil painting. Tips: Driving is recommended for visiting Xiang Lake, which is huge, about twice the size of West Lake. The scenery varies along every stretch. The most beautiful spots are concentrated near Yuewang Road. Drive around, and whenever you see a scene you like, just stop and walk a stretch.
【The Moonlight Was Scooped Up, Blurring the Ending】
At Xiang Lake, you must savor a two-day, one-night stay. There are many guesthouses and resorts by the lake, but a good hotel is more than just a place to sleep. Picking the right place to stay is the first step of the trip.
◆◆◆ Yuxiang Lake, Quietly Beautiful on Its Own ◆◆◆
Encounters are a kind of fate, with people and with things. We stumbled upon this place because of an irresistible opening offer — a little over 500 RMB a night. Plus, this hotel focuses on family and wellness, making it even more suitable for family trips. The hotel is located in the Xiang Lake National Tourism Resort, very close to the heart of the lake area around Yuewang Road — just a 10-minute drive, about 3.7 km away. It’s only a 5-minute walk to the Xiang Lake cruise dock (Tiger Cave Pier). If you need a weekend getaway for the whole family, this is also a great base. ① 10 min drive to Hangzhou Kaiyuan Senbo Park ② 10 min drive to Hangzhou Polar Ocean Park ③ 15 min drive to Hangzhou Rotten Apple Park. I honestly thought this was just an ordinary hotel that wouldn’t leave much of an impression, but it ended up quietly filling my entire day.
The hotel is relatively new, with a modern style mixed with European simplicity, a bit like a resort. We checked into a family room. As soon as the door opened, a pink little tent and a toy gift on the bed made the child overjoyed — he played with them for ages. Among all the hotels I’ve stayed in, this is the first one that specifically prepared a children’s toilet seat, step stool, kid’s slippers, and a small toothbrush. From that moment, my fondness for it shot straight up. As an interior designer, I can say the design direction and room quality far exceed the hotel’s apparent positioning. The bedding, for instance, is wonderfully comfortable — neither too soft nor too firm, and the pillows are thoughtfully provided in two different levels of softness for guests to choose from. When checking out, my biggest wish was to take the pillow home with me.
◆◆◆ In a Splash-Ink Landscape Painting ◆◆◆
The rear part of the hotel and the underground traditional Chinese medicine center blend Chinese style into the French-inspired architecture. The backyard is antique, elegantly quiet, allowing you to settle down after a day of bustle. It’s also a perfect spot for Hanfu photography. Carrying the charm of Jiangnan and borrowing its spirit, we had an unusual parent-child Hanfu experience, like the leisurely contentment of “plucking chrysanthemums by the eastern hedge, gazing at the southern mountains.”
◆◆◆ Subtle Sandalwood Scent Through the Window ◆◆◆
The hotel is themed around wellness, offering something for men and women, young and old. No one gets bored here; the hotel alone can fill a whole day’s itinerary. There’s a free children’s play area, which our little one loved the most — both kids and adults plunged into the ball pit together. After dinner, dad and grandpa can work out in the gym, while mom and grandma can choose yoga or book a Chinese massage.
The underground TCM wellness center is quite large, with different treatments for different needs. As you enter, a pleasant mugwort scent greets you, and even the tea served is a herbal blend. People from Jiangnan often carry dampness in their bodies, so moxibustion, physiotherapy, meridian dredging, detox cupping, or a session in the jade energy detox room are all options. The temperature isn’t as stuffy as a sauna; the TCM approach is gentle and soothing. The standard package focuses on blood-circulating massage. Masters Chen and Yu each have their strengths, and you’ll sense that simply from their kneading and pressing. Unlike traditional massage, it’s not painful. By gently kneading, they release tight muscles and blocked acupoints — truly relaxing and comfortable.
◆◆◆ Your Charming Smile Is Like a Bud Waiting to Bloom ◆◆◆
The hotel has bicycles available for rent, perfect for a loop around the lake. In the best season at Xiang Lake, return to the simplest way of life using the oldest form of transport. Breathe fresh air, exercise, travel green, live green.
◆◆◆ Your Beauty Drifts Away Like a Wisp ◆◆◆
The food is the most recommendable and the biggest surprise for me. Restaurants around Xiang Lake are quite hidden and not very convenient, so we chose to have all three meals at the hotel. Normally, hotel food isn’t something to look forward to, but it stunned our taste buds. Besides the standard eight great Chinese cuisines, the dishes here are customised according to the 24 solar terms, with light flavours suitable for children and the elderly. They are exquisite, nutritious, and creative. There are also thoughtful pre-meal desserts and after-meal snacks, and the prices are very, very reasonable — less than 100 RMB per person. I highly recommend the matsutake mushroom and pigeon soup. Since this dish isn’t ideal for young children, the restaurant thoughtfully prepared steamed scallops with pigeon egg for our little one. Vegetarians can also enjoy a dedicated health-focused vegetarian menu.
The buffet breakfast completely refreshed my idea of hotel dining. A picture says more than words — the variety is comparable to, and often richer than, that of a typical five-star hotel. Besides the usual fruits, drinks, and pastries, there are added Chinese dim sum and Western desserts. There are also wontons, noodles, and a dozen hot dishes, plus all kinds of nuts. Even the smoked fish I loved in Europe was available. Silence speaks louder than words — that’s all I can do now.
【Two Days, One Night: Rich and Colorful】
Itinerary:
Day 1: Scenic drive along Fengqing Avenue – Check in at Yuxiang Lake Hotel – Biking – Hanfu experience – SPA
Day 2: Xiang Lake cruise – Explore Yuewang Road
Transport tips:
Parking: ① Hotel parking is free ② Parking is convenient at Xiang Lake, with lots almost every 50 meters. 5 RMB per hour, and it gets busy on weekends.
Hammocks: Not allowed in some areas, and tents may be restricted too — be sure to ask clearly. Follow the rules if you see any notices.
