That Year, I Enjoyed Autumn Colors at West Lake, Hangzhou ▏Practical Self-Drive Travel Tips for Hangzhou ▏Winter Travel Tips for Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui ▏[2020]

That Year, I Enjoyed Autumn Colors at West Lake, Hangzhou ▏Practical Self-Drive Travel Tips for Hangzhou ▏Winter Travel Tips for Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui ▏[December 1, 2020] [Walking Around West Lake in Hangzhou]

I spent 2 days exploring Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province ▏Walking around West Lake Scenic Area ▏Baoshi Hill, Hangzhou ▏Beishan Street, Hangzhou ▏Nine Creeks in Misty Forest, Hangzhou ▏Longjing Village, Hangzhou ▏Manjuelong Village, Hangzhou ▏Yangmeiling Village, Hangzhou ▏Lingyin Temple, Hangzhou ▏Qianjiang New Town, Hangzhou ▏City Balcony, Hangzhou ▏Hangzhou G20 Summit Site ▏Liuhe Pagoda Scenic Area, Hangzhou ▏The Charm of Qiantang River, Hangzhou ▏[Walking Around West Lake in Hangzhou]

Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province:

Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province, is located on China’s southeastern coast, in the lower reaches of the Qiantang River and at the southern end of the Grand Canal. With a history of over 2,200 years since the establishment of a county seat in the Qin Dynasty, Hangzhou once served as the capital of the Wuyue Kingdom and the Southern Song Dynasty, making it one of China’s Eight Great Ancient Capitals.

An old saying goes: "Above there is Heaven, below there are Suzhou and Hangzhou." "Hang" refers to Hangzhou, long hailed as "Paradise on Earth" for its beautiful scenery.

Hangzhou is rich in cultural and historical relics. West Lake and its surroundings are dotted with numerous natural and cultural sites. Representative cultural highlights include West Lake culture, Liangzhu culture, silk culture, tea culture, and many enduring legends that have become symbols of Hangzhou’s culture.

Personal memory: As someone from Qingdao, a city by the sea, I may have grown somewhat indifferent to ocean views. I have always longed for the landscapes of Hangzhou – its long history, its picturesque scenery, and its unforgettable cuisine. These constantly tugged at my heart, drawing me in, and the timeless charm compelled me to embark on this mysterious journey.

Time: December 9–10, 2020 (2 days)

Travelers: A couple

Travel style: Independent travel

Transportation: Self-drive car

Cost: Approximately 200 RMB per person (including gas, tolls, meals, accommodation, admission fees – all expenses)

That year, our self-drive itinerary through Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui: Depart from Qingdao → Gaoyou, Jiangsu → Jiangyin, Jiangsu → Huzhou, Zhejiang → Hangzhou, Zhejiang → Jiangshan, Zhejiang → Quzhou, Zhejiang → Huangshan, Anhui → Yixian, Anhui → Xuancheng, Anhui → Nanjing, Jiangsu → Yangzhou, Jiangsu.

I knew very little about Hangzhou before arriving. We drove from Huzhou to Hangzhou, heading south all the way. The charming scenery along the way, and every detail of West Lake, filled my heart with intoxication. Thus began our Hangzhou journey.

This place is perfect for couples to travel together – strolling hand in hand, the majestic and dynamic landscapes created by nature come alive. Surrounded by rolling peaks and lush forests, savoring Hangzhou’s cuisine, and walking along the roads beside West Lake at night, we took in all the beauty of Hangzhou.

1. How the Hangzhou trip came about

Although I had visited Hangzhou many times before, each trip was too rushed to appreciate the city thoroughly. For years, I had dreamed of spending a month driving through Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui. After August this year, I made a detailed plan for a self-drive exploration of these three provinces. In early winter, December, we headed south to witness the winter beauty of West Lake in Hangzhou, breathe Hangzhou’s air, taste its cuisine, and let our spirits soar.

2. Pre-departure preparations

With no worries to hold us back, we set off on a spontaneous journey. For any trip, thorough preparations are essential – checking the weather at the destination and making a list of necessary items.

3. Self-drive itinerary for Hangzhou, Zhejiang:

Day 1: Explore Hangzhou, West Lake Scenic Area, Baoshi Hill, Beishan Street

Day 2: Nine Creeks in Misty Forest, Longjing Village, Manjuelong Village, Yangmeiling Village, Lingyin Temple, Qiantang New Town, City Balcony, G20 Summit Site, Liuhe Pagoda Scenic Area, Qiantang River views

Driving route: Huzhou → Hangzhou

December 9, 2020, departure from Huzhou at 07:00 – arrival in Hangzhou at 09:00, 90 km, 2 hours’ drive.

About the author: I am an independent travel enthusiast and a photography lover. I usually shoot landscape photos and, in my spare time, love to explore different places, capturing the stunning scenery and local customs. As a passionate photographer, I never miss any beautiful moment or person along the way, believing that those frozen frames will make up all my memories. To see more of my photos and travelogues, follow my Ctrip travelogue: Leyapai Travel Tips.

If you have any questions about travel, feel free to leave me a message anytime.

Highlights of the self-drive Hangzhou itinerary:

The moment you look down, you realize the path beneath your feet; in the sky, there is no trace of wings, yet birds have flown.

Day 1: Exploring Hangzhou

Hangzhou has long been praised as "Paradise on Earth" for its beautiful scenery. It is rich in cultural and historical relics, with West Lake and its surroundings boasting abundant natural and cultural sites. Beishan Street is one of the representative cultural landmarks of West Lake.

In this city, known since ancient times as "Paradise on Earth," mountains, springs, lakes, bridges, pagodas, and temples are all present, and the colors of the scenery gradually become more diverse over time.

Amidst the bustling city, the modern aura of Wulin Square and the ancient charm of Qinghefang intertwine, offering the most authentic and memorable Hangzhou experience.

Hangzhou Liberation Monument

Day 1: Walking around West Lake Scenic Area [Free admission] [The walk around the lake takes about 6 hours]

West Lake lies in the western and central parts of Hangzhou. Famous both at home and abroad for its picturesque lake and mountain scenery and numerous historical sites, it is one of China’s renowned tourist destinations. On June 24, 2011, West Lake was inscribed on the World Heritage list.

Walking route around West Lake: Orioles Singing in the Willows [One of the Ten Scenes of West Lake] → Yongjin Gate → Remnant Snow on the Broken Bridge [Scene 2] → Xiling Bridge → Autumn hues on Bai Causeway → Solitary Hill Scenery → Zhongshan Park → Zhejiang Museum → Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake [Scene 3] → Breeze-Ruffled Lotus at Quyuan Garden [Scene 4] → Yue Temple → Zhusu Garden → Spring Dawn at Su Causeway [Scene 5] → Yanggong Causeway → Three Pools Mirroring the Moon [Scene 6] → Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor [Scene 7] → Prince Bay Park → Su Causeway → Leifeng Pagoda in Evening Glow [Scene 8] → Evening Bell Ringing at Nanping Hill [Scene 9]

West Lake’s Ten Scenes:

Orioles Singing in the Willows – Remnant Snow on the Broken Bridge – Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake – Breeze-Ruffled Lotus at Quyuan Garden – Twin Peaks Piercing the Clouds – Spring Dawn at Su Causeway – Three Pools Mirroring the Moon – Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor – Leifeng Pagoda in Evening Glow – Evening Bell Ringing at Nanping Hill

World Heritage Site – West Lake

The beauty of West Lake lies in its shimmering waters on sunny days and misty mountains in rain. Whether in snow or rain, in early morning or late evening, the ever-changing scenery is captivating; in spring blossoms, autumn moon, summer lotuses, and winter snow, each season has its unique charm.

[West Lake’s Cheng Lu] – First stop of Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling’s honeymoon.

Day 1: Changqiao Park [Free admission]

Changqiao Park is in the southeast corner of West Lake, stretching along the lake with an exquisite layout and profound artistic conception.

The park is also rich in legends. It is said that Changqiao was where Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai walked the "Eighteen-Mile Farewell," pacing back and forth on the bridge while Yingtai used eighteen metaphors to express her affection – hence the saying "the road is long but the bridge is short."

Day 1: Yongjin Gate [Free admission]

Yongjin Gate was one of the ancient western city gates of Hangzhou. In the first year of Tianfu (936) during the Five Dynasties, King Qian Yuan-Jin of Wuyue diverted West Lake water into the city, dug Yongjin Pond, and built this gate, which faced the lake with a water gate on the east. Legend has it that a golden ox emerged here from the lake, giving the gate its name.

In the 28th year of Shaoxing (1158) in the Southern Song Dynasty, the city wall was expanded and the gate was renamed Fengmen; in the early Ming Dynasty, the original name was restored.

Yongjin Gate has always been the passage from the city to West Lake, a bustling downtown area. A couplet on the gate tower reads: "The long battlements meet the clear ripples, water and sky one color; high towers and busy streets with ten thousand households' smoke." West Lake pleasure boats often gathered and dispersed here, giving rise to the saying "rowing boats outside Yongjin Gate."

In the 40th year of Kangxi's reign (1701), the emperor traveled south to Hangzhou and exited through Yongjin Water Gate to tour West Lake.

"Water Margin" (one of China’s Four Great Classics) – Zhang Shun, the "White Stripe in the Waves," one of the 108 heroes.

Day 1: Orioles Singing in the Willows [One of the Ten Scenes] [Free admission]

Orioles Singing in the Willows is located on the southeastern shore of West Lake, near Qingbo Gate, within a large park divided into four sections: Friendship, Orioles’ Songs, Gathering Scenery, and Southern Garden.

During the Southern Song, this was the largest imperial garden in the capital, then called Jujing Garden. It contained the Huifang Hall, three halls, nine pavilions, as well as the Liulang Bridge and Xueshi Bridge. In the Qing Dynasty, the old scene was restored. It was known as Liuzhou, where yellow orioles danced and sang, hence "Orioles Singing in the Willows."

Day 1: Scenery along West Lake [Free admission]

Along the shores of West Lake, there is no strict boundary between the city and the park; lush vegetation blends seamlessly with various shops. This is the unique charm of Hangzhou – surrounded everywhere by natural greenery, yet with none of the emptiness of the countryside.

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