That Year, I Enjoyed Autumn Colors at Xianghu and Xixi Wetland in Hangzhou ▏ Practical Self-Driving Guide to Hangzhou ▏ Winter Travel Guide to Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui ▏ [2020

📍 Hangzhou · 👁 6820 reads · ❤️ 33 likes

That year, I enjoyed the autumn colors at Xianghu and Xixi Wetland in Zhejiang Hangzhou ▏ Practical Self-Driving Guide to Hangzhou ▏ Winter Travel Guide to Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui ▏ [December 1, 2020] [Hangzhou Xianghu, Xixi Wetland Section]

I spent 3 days exploring the Hangzhou Xianghu Scenic Area in Zhejiang ▏ Xiasun Ancient Village ▏ Hangzhou Yuewang Mountain City Ruins Park ▏ Hangzhou Xixi National Wetland Park ▏ Hangzhou Yuhang Chaoshan ▏ Hangzhou Lin'an Xijingshan ▏ [Hangzhou Xianghu, Xixi Wetland Section]

Zhejiang Hangzhou:

Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province, located on the southeast coast of China, along the lower Qiantang River and the southern end of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. Since the establishment of county governance in the Qin Dynasty, it has a history of over 2,200 years. It was once the capital of the Wuyue Kingdom and the Southern Song Dynasty, and is one of China's eight ancient capitals.

Since ancient times, there has been a saying: "Up there is heaven, down here are Suzhou and Hangzhou." "Hang" refers to Hangzhou, which is renowned for its beautiful scenery and the reputation of an "earthly paradise."

Hangzhou has many cultural and historical sites, with the West Lake and its surroundings containing a wealth of natural and cultural landscapes. Among them, representative unique cultures include West Lake culture, Liangzhu culture, silk culture, tea culture, as well as many passing-down stories and legends that have become the cultural symbols of Hangzhou.

Memories: As someone from the coastal city of Qingdao, perhaps I have seen too much of the sea's beauty for too long, and the allure of the sea is no longer that strong. I always yearn for the scenic views of Hangzhou. I long for Hangzhou's long history and beautiful scenery. The unforgettable Hangzhou cuisine tugs at my heartstrings constantly, attracting me. The wonderful imagination that traverses through time and space compels me to embark on this mysterious journey.

Time: December 11 to December 13, 2020, a total of 3 days

People: A couple

Mode: Self-guided tour

Transportation: Self-driving car

Expenses: per person 300 yuan (including gasoline, highway fees, food and accommodation, entrance tickets, etc.)

That year, the self-driving route through Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui was arranged as follows: Departing from Qingdao --- Gaoyou City, Jiangsu Province --- Jiangyin City, Jiangsu Province --- Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province --- Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province --- Jiangshan City, Zhejiang Province --- Quzhou City, Zhejiang Province --- Huangshan City, Anhui Province --- Yixian County, Anhui Province --- Xuancheng City, Anhui Province --- Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province --- Yangzhou City, Jiangsu Province

For Hangzhou, before going, I knew very little about it. Driving from Huzhou to Hangzhou, we headed straight south, with the beautiful scenery along the way, and every bit of West Lake enchanting me. And so began the journey to Hangzhou.

This place is best suited for couples to travel together, strolling hand in hand, interpreting the magnificent and lively landscape created by nature. Appreciate the beauty of surrounding peaks, lush forests, and serene greenery. Taste the Hangzhou cuisine, and walk along the West Lake roads at night, taking in all the scenery of Hangzhou.

1. The Origin of the Hangzhou Trip

Although I have been to Hangzhou, Zhejiang many times before, each visit was very hurried, so I never had a chance to explore the city in detail. For several years, I have wanted to spend a month with my wife driving through Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui. After August this year, I made a self-driving exploration travel plan for Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui. In the early winter season of December in Jiangnan, we drove south to see the winter scenery of West Lake, Xianghu, and Xixi Wetland in Hangzhou. Breathe the air of Hangzhou, taste the cuisine, and set free our passion.

2. Preparations for Departure

Without any entanglements, let's embark on a trip at whim. For the journey, make all kinds of preparations, understand the weather conditions of the destination, and list the needed items.

3. Itinerary for the Self-Driving Trip to Hangzhou, Zhejiang:

Day1: Explore Hangzhou Xianghu Scenic Area, Xiasun Ancient Village, Hangzhou Yuewang Mountain City Ruins Park

Day2: Explore Hangzhou Xixi National Wetland Park

Day3: Explore Hangzhou Yuhang Chaoshan, Hangzhou Lin'an Xijingshan

1. Self-Driving Route [Huzhou --- Hangzhou]

December 11, 2020, departure from Huzhou at 07:00 – Arrival in Hangzhou at 09:00, distance 90 km, driving time 2 hours.

About the Author: I am an independent travel enthusiast and a photography lover. Normally, I mainly take landscape photos and love to travel to various places in my spare time, capturing the breathtaking scenery and local customs. As someone passionate about photography, I never miss any beautiful people and things along the way. I believe those frozen moments will make up all my memories. To see more of my photography works and travel notes, you can follow my Ctrip travel guide: Leyapai Travel Guide

If you have any travel-related questions, feel free to leave me a message.

Highlights of the Self-Driving Travel Route in Hangzhou:

When you look down at that moment, you realize the road beneath your feet. No wings are left in the sky, but birds have flown.

Day1: Explore Hangzhou City, Zhejiang

Hangzhou, known for its picturesque scenery, has the reputation of "earthly paradise." It is rich in cultural and historical sites, with West Lake and its surroundings containing numerous natural and cultural landscapes. Among them, Beishan Street is one of the representative cultural relics of West Lake.

This ancient city, long called an "earthly paradise," has mountains, springs, lakes, bridges, pagodas, and temples all available. The colors in the scenery gradually diversify with time.

In the bustling downtown, the modern atmosphere of Wulin Square and the ancient charm of Qinghefang intertwine, presenting the most authentic and memorable Hangzhou.

A memorable city – Hangzhou

We stayed in Hangzhou for 6 days and stayed at this hotel. The car was parked at the hotel, and all city tours in Hangzhou were by public transportation.

A memorable city – Hangzhou

Day1: Hangzhou Xianghu Scenic Area [Free entry] [Walking tour around the lake, about 4 hours]

Xianghu Tourist Resort is located west of Xiaoshan District, Hangzhou, about 20 km from Hangzhou city center. It has been awarded "China's Best Leisure Tourism Destination."

Xianghu is known as the "sister lake" of West Lake for its scenic beauty. It is a lake located in Xiaoshan District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, and is also one of the cradles of Chinese civilization.

The Kuahuqiao cultural site unearthed here is a national-level cultural relic protection unit, where the world's earliest canoe was excavated and the best-preserved ancient city wall remains.

Xianghu is the hometown of the great Tang Dynasty poet He Zhizhang, and renowned figures such as Li Bai, Lu You, Wen Tianxiang, and Liu Ji have left immortal poems here.

The Xianghu scenic area has formed five major scenic spots: Xiangpu, Hushang, Chengshan, Yuelou, and Kuahuqiao, with dozens of attractions including Xiangdi Wave-lapped, Xiangpu Fish Watching, Recalling Yang and Thinking of the Virtuous, Green Island Picking Stars, Cloud Shadows in the Lake Center, Recalling the Past at Chengshan, Picking Dreams at Lake Bridge, Sunset at Yuedi, Ancient Path Style, Tea Tasting at Yuelou, and Inquiring History at Kuahu.

In 2008, Xianghu was rated as a national 4A-level scenic tourist area and one of China's top 100 tourist attractions. At the second China Leisure Economy Development Forum, it was named "China's Best Leisure Tourism Destination," the first resort in Zhejiang Province to receive this honor.

Eight-thousand-year ancient boat, thirty-thousand-qing blue waves. Xianghu Tourist Resort is welcoming visitors who cherish history, love nature, and advocate leisure with its charming demeanor, broad mind, and bright prospects.

Tired of West Lake? Do you want a change? Xianghu, as the sister lake of West Lake, is not well known, but the scenery here is beautiful and there are fewer tourists, making it a great place for a weekend gathering and leisure.

Xianghu is the birthplace of Zhejiang civilization, with unique scenery and a special charm. It is suitable for all seasons. Whether spring, summer, autumn, or winter, Xianghu moonlit nights are endlessly charming, especially in autumn.

Xianghu Tourist Resort is located west of Xiaoshan District, Hangzhou, about 20 km from the city center. It has been named "China's Best Leisure Tourism Destination." The climate is pleasant for travel in spring, summer, and autumn, and in winter, you can see the frozen and snow-covered Xianghu, calm and serene.

The eight scenic spots of Xianghu are: Recalling the Past at Chengshan, Overlooking from Lanting Pavilion, First Morning Light at Xianzhao, Moonlit Night at Kuahu, Yangqi Bell Sound, Oarsong at Hengtang, Cloud Shadows in the Lake Center, and Kiln Smoke at the Mountain Foot.

Li Bai, Lu You, Wen Tianxiang, Liu Ji, and other historical figures have left immortal poems here.

Day1: Xiasun Ancient Village [Free entry]

Xiasun Cultural Village is located near Xianghu in Xiaoshan, Hangzhou. It is a reconstructed ancient-style park. Xiasun was once an ancient village on the north shore of Xianghu, a settlement of the descendants of Sun Wu, a military strategist from the Spring and Autumn Period, and Sun Quan, the King of Wu in the Three Kingdoms period.

Xiasun Ancient Village was once a Sun clan village on the north shore of Xianghu. Discoveries around the village date back eight thousand years, witnessing a part of the vicissitudes of the Xianghu area.

The Sun Clan Ancestral Hall is the core of Xiasun Cultural Village. It was first built during the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty (built by the 10th generation grandson Sun Xuesi, who also built the Kuahu Bridge), rebuilt in the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty, and the third construction was in 2009. The hall has a stage, tea room, etc., for visitors to view and rest.

Day1: Hangzhou Yuewang Mountain City Ruins Park [Free entry]

The Yuewang City Ruins on the top of Chengshan Mountain in Xianghu have a history of over 2,500 years. It was an important military fortress where Gou Jian stationed troops to resist Wu, and it is the best-preserved ancient city wall ruins to date.

The Yuewang City Ruins on the top of Chengshan Mountain in Xianghu witnessed the historical storm of "sleeping on brushwood and tasting gall."

Yuewang Mountain City Ruins Park

Lanting Pavilion, which is Yilan Pavilion on the top of Shiyan Mountain, is the best spot for a panoramic view of Xianghu and the Qiantang River.

Recalling the Past at Chengshan, this scene and the "Evening Bell at Yuewang City" from the Qianlong period's eight scenic spots of Xianghu both describe Yuewang Mountain City, but the name "Recalling the Past at Chengshan" is more fitting. It highlights the eternal theme of inheriting the spirit of "exerting oneself and striving constantly to become stronger" of Gou Jian, with distinct characteristics of the era.

Yuewang Mountain City Ruins Park

Yuewang Mountain City Yangma Lake

Yuewang Temple Bell Tower [Chengshan Temple was destroyed in the Xianfeng Xinyou year (1861) of the Qing Dynasty; the sound of the "evening bell" no longer exists.]

Yuewang Temple Free Life Pond

Statues of Gou Jian, Fan Li, and Wen Zhong

The Linshui Zudao Pavilion is located to the east of the Huai Gu Archway of Chengshan in Xianghu. It is a hexagonal stone pavilion facing the mountain with its back to the water, with a stone stele inside. It was built to commemorate the ceremony of "Linshui Zudao, Military Formation at Gulin" held before Gou Jian of Yue went to Wu as a subject, hence the name "Zudao Pavilion."

The Linshui Zudao Pavilion is a historical and cultural landscape of Xianghu. The front of the stele is inscribed with the four red characters "Linshui Zudao," and on the back is the congratulatory speech read by Yue's Grand Master Wen Zhong during the Zudao ceremony. The front and back pillars of the stone pavilion have two pairs of couplets.

Day2: Hangzhou Xixi National Wetland Park [Free entry] [Boat ticket required for boating]

Xixi National Wetland Park is located in the western part of Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, less than 5 km from West Lake. The total planned area is 11.5 square kilometers, and the total length of rivers within the wetland exceeds 100 km. About 70% of the area is water such as river ports, ponds, lake ripples, and swamps.

Xixi Wetland Park is rich in ecological resources, elegant in natural landscape, profound in cultural accumulation, and is known as one of Hangzhou's "Three Xi" together with West Lake and Xiling. It is the first national wetland park in China integrating urban wetland, agricultural wetland, and cultural wetland.

On July 7, 2009, Hangzhou Xixi National Wetland Park in Zhejiang was included in the List of Wetlands of International Importance.

On January 11, 2012, Hangzhou Xixi Wetland Tourist Area was officially awarded the title of "National 5A Tourist Attraction," becoming the first national wetland park in China to be designated a national 5A scenic spot.

On October 31, 2013, it was selected by CCTV as one of China's "Top Ten Charming Wetlands."

Before May 1, 2020, Hangzhou Xixi National Wetland Park was open for free with a "reservation system."

Xixi National Wetland Park

Four to five thousand years ago, the low-lying wetland of Xixi, when subjected to the spring and summer floods from the Tianmu Mountain, would be submerged and become a lake, while during droughts, the wetland would appear.

The wetland’s intermittent appearance can be considered its embryonic stage. From the first year of Xiping in the Eastern Han Dynasty (172 AD) when the South Lake was constructed, to the end of the Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties, a period of about a thousand years, was the formation period of Xixi Wetland.

Xixi National Wetland Park has "Three Dikes and Ten Scenes." The three dikes are Fu Dike, Green Dike, and Shou Dike. The ten scenes are Autumn Reed Flying Snow, Fire Persimmons Reflecting the Waves, Dragon Boat Grand Gathering, Lotus Beach and Egret Shadows, Lingering Charm of Hong Garden, Reeds Rowing under the Moon, Misty Rain in Fishing Village, Winding Stream Seeking Plum Blossoms, Morning Traces at Gaozhuang, and Listening to Opera at Hezhu.

Xixi National Wetland Park

Water Margin Culture Exhibition Hall

Statue of Shi Naian, author of Water Margin

Statues of Water Margin characters

Water Margin Culture Exhibition Hall

Xixi National Wetland Park

Hezhu Street in Xixi is free. Although small, it is cozy and will help you spend a wonderful time.

The beauty of Xixi lies in its water, and the importance of Xixi lies in its ecology. You can visit Xixi on foot or by boat. Since it is a water town, many sights will be missed on foot, so taking a boat is recommended.

Shentankou is the most beautiful pier in Xixi and also the place where Shu Qi and Fang Zhongxin were rowing in the movie "If You Are the One."

The environment here is quiet, with intertwined waterways. Within sight, the 300-year-old camphor tree, ancient residential buildings, stone arch bridges, dragon boats, and clear water form beautiful watercolor paintings of the Jiangnan water town.

The electric boat in Xixi Park is on a loop with four boarding and alighting piers (Zhoujiacun → Yanshui Fishing Village → Shentankou → Jiaolu Tianzhuang → Zhoujiacun). You can disembark to explore at each, manage your time freely, and afterward return to the boarding pier near the previous drop-off point to continue to the next stop. It costs 60 yuan per person for a maximum of 4 trips.

Day3: Hangzhou Yuhang Chaoshan [Ticket required]

Chaoshan is a provincial-level scenic area. It is a small plain mountain with beautiful scenery, numerous historical sites, and charming legends, located in Tangqi Town, Yuhang, Zhejiang, 29 km from Hangzhou. The main peak is 265 meters above sea level, an extension of the Tianmu Mountain range.

Chaoshan is famous for its plum blossoms. During the peak season, within a radius of ten li, it resembles flying snow covering the sky, hence the reputation "Ten-Li Plum Blossom Fragrant Snow Sea." Among the five ancient plum trees in China, such as Chu Mei, Jin Mei, Sui Mei, Tang Mei, and Song Mei, Chaoshan has two of them.

The Chaoshan Scenic Area covers an area of 5 square kilometers. The main peak, Chaoshan, is 265 meters high, named for its outstanding presence beyond Gaoting and Huanghe. It is famous for viewing plum blossoms that excel in "antiquity, breadth, and uniqueness."

Every early spring in February, when the flower buds burst, white petals spread like scattered jade, reflecting the sky white from over ten li away, like flying snow filling the sky and flowers falling in chaos, hence the reputation "Ten-Li Fragrant Snow Sea," one of the three great plum-blossom-viewing sites in Jiangnan.

In September 2009, the "Plum Blossom Academician" Chen Junyu praised Chaoshan as the world's plum blossom.

Chaoshan is only 6 km from Tangqi Town in Yuhang District, a land of fish and rice, fruits and flowers, and silk, and is an important part of Hangzhou's scenic attractions.

The season was wrong, and there were no plum blossoms, which was quite regretful.