Three-Day Independent Tour of Hangzhou (Day 3): Strolling in Taiziwan Park and Boating on West Lake

On the third morning, after getting up, we headed to the KFC inside Xianghu Cultural Plaza right across the street for breakfast. After breakfast, we took the subway to Longxiang Road Station, then transferred to a bus to Su Causeway. Just cross the road and you'll find the entrance; there's no admission fee, it's a leisure park for Hangzhou locals.

Took a few shots of Leifeng Pagoda.

Taiziwan Park is bordered by Jingci Temple, Tianyuan Garden, Zhang Cangshui's Tomb and Shrine, and Zhang Taiyan's Tomb Path to the east, and South Peak to the west. To the north, a long row of towering, lush dawn redwoods forms a dense green curtain, screening it from the bustling Nanping Road, much like the seat of an old-fashioned armchair. Taiziwan Park is naturally outstanding and otherworldly.

Hangzhou didn't originally have Taiziwan Park; the name "Taiziwan" (Prince Bay) has a historical reason. Legend has it that this place was once the temporary burial garden (zan yuan, where ancient emperors temporarily laid their coffins, also called a zan suo) of two princes—Zhuangwen and Jingxian—of the Southern Song Dynasty, hence the name "Prince Bay".

The park uses an open channel from the West Lake water diversion project as its main axis, creating ponds by collecting water, waterfalls by damming streams, islets surrounded by water, and bridges spanning the water. These form delightful spots like Pipa Islet, Emerald Garden, Xiaoyao Slope, Jade Egret Pool, Yile Garden, and Taiji Lawn—spaces that open and close, expand and contract in perfect harmony, refreshing and charming.

The park boasts thousands of Tokyo cherry trees from Japan, which bloom in mid-March like brilliant clouds, a sight too beautiful to take in all at once. Hence, it is now a famous wedding-themed park and tulip exhibition site.

We came too late; the tulips had already been pulled out by the roots, so we missed them, and the cherry blossoms had withered. But the greenery was still stunning—pavilions and waterside structures, a green wonderland, small bridges over flowing streams, a peaceful and serene environment.

By mid-morning, the park grew crowded, mostly with children on spring outings, bustling and lively. We quickly took our photos, trying to avoid the crowds as much as possible. After snapping a group shot with the large windmill as the backdrop on the lawn, we made our exit.

On the lawn with the big windmill, we set up a mini tripod and took a group selfie with our phones—just a "been there" shot, haha!

By the lake, we started another round of posing; the top photo is an enlarged version of the center of the bottom one.

The mountain stream rushed and roared nonstop, the current very swift.

This is the Wedding Park, where couples can take wedding photos, symbolizing flying wing to wing.

Since we had to check out by noon, we only strolled through Taiziwan Park for about an hour and a half before heading back to the homestay to collect our luggage. After packing, we messaged the housekeeper to let them know, returned the key card to the lockbox, and that was it. Then we took the subway to the train station to store our luggage.

With our luggage stored, we felt light and free. At the station, we caught Bus No. 7 to Louwailou Restaurant, snapping a photo of Broken Bridge from the bus. After getting off, we walked along the North Street of West Lake to Gushan (Solitary Hill). There's a local saying in Hangzhou: "Broken Bridge is not broken, Solitary Hill is not solitary, and Long Bridge is not long."

The lakeside was shaded by green trees, with willow branches like wisps of smoke. A gentle spring breeze wafted by, setting the emerald lake rippling, while floral fragrances and bird song filled the air, rendering West Lake tender and charming. Truly, "West Lake may be compared to Beauty Xi Zi, always charming with either light or heavy makeup." Walking from North Street to Louwailou through such stunning lake scenery was a first for me—no wonder it's counted among the new Top Ten Scenes as "Dreamy Search on North Street."

A quick rundown of the old Top Ten Scenes of West Lake: Spring Dawn at Su Causeway, Twin Peaks Piercing the Clouds, Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, Breeze-Ruffled Lotus at Quyuan Garden, Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake, Evening Bell Ringing at Nanping Hill, Orioles Singing in the Willows, Leifeng Pagoda in Evening Glow, Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor, and Lingering Snow on Broken Bridge.

New Top Ten Scenes: Dreaming of Spring at Hupao, Tea-Tasting at Dragon Well, Heavenly Wind on Wu Hill, Yellow Dragon Spitting Green, Precious Stone Hill Floating in Rosy Clouds, Ruan Gong Islet Surrounded by Greenery, Nine Creeks Meandering Through Misty Trees, Bamboo-Lined Path at Yunqi, Osmanthus Rain at Manlong, Flying Clouds over Jade Emperor Hill.

And another ten scenes: Lingyun Zen Traces, Six Harmonies Pagoda, Yue Fei's Tomb in Sunset Glow, Lakeside in Rain or Shine, Qian Shrine of Loyalty, Cloud-Water at Santai, Yang Causeway Scenic Walk, Scholar's Retreat at Wansong Academy, Early Spring at Meijiawu, Dreamy Search on North Street.

We walked to Louwailou Restaurant; there were quite a few tourists waiting, so we took a number and waited. While waiting, we went to the observation deck to photograph Ruan Gong Islet and gaze at the beautiful West Lake scenery.

The name "Louwailou" comes from a poem by Song Dynasty poet Lin Sheng: "Beyond the hills there are hills, beyond the towers there are towers; When will the singing and dancing on West Lake ever cease?" The restaurant has thrived for over 160 years. During tourist season, its entrance is a constant stream of vehicles and people, bustling like a marketplace. We waited over half an hour and ended up sharing a table—more fun that way.

We ordered and ate: crispy jingle bells (deep-fried bean curd rolls), squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, sizzling eel shreds, sea urchin tofu, Hangzhou-style three-delicacy in chicken broth, West Lake water shield soup, and three bottles of beer. We were stuffed.

We raised our glasses to toast a joyful and smooth three-day tour.

After wining and dining, we headed downstairs. Wait a minute—such a beautiful boxwood carving, aren't you going to look or take a photo?

After walking a bit, near Zhongshan Park and Pinghu Qiuyue (Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake), we bought tickets to take a pleasure boat to Three Pools Mirroring the Moon (Xiaoyingzhou Islet).

Here we took photos of the three pools. The lakeshore was packed with people. The weather was on our side this time, so the photos came out very clear. Two years ago, when I came, it was pouring rain while boarding and drizzling on the island—misty and blurry, my photos were no good. This time, I got my wish and couldn't stop shooting.

We walked through the middle of the island, pausing to snap photos and rest, wandering for over an hour and taking a ton of pictures. Time was almost up; the last boat was at 5 p.m., so we chose one that would take us ashore at Orioles Singing in the Willows.

The sun sets in the west—when will it return? It was already 5 o'clock; any later and it would be the perfect moment to capture "Leifeng Pagoda in Evening Glow." This shot, though a bit early, still has a certain charm.

Sitting at the stern, with the beautiful West Lake behind us, fanning ourselves with folding fans, as the boat glided across the lake, we felt like we were wandering through a painting, our hearts in paradise—so leisurely, so lovely, so refreshing!

Even closed our eyes, utterly enchanted, right?

After disembarking, we strolled along the lakeside, where green willows and peach trees alternated, with benches tucked between them. Alas, no time to sit. We passed Qian Wang Shrine and Orioles Singing in the Willows Park, arriving at Yongjin Bridge.

Yongjin Gate, Golden Ox Emerging from the Water.

It was time for silhouette shots against the sunset.

Yongjin Bridge and the Golden Ox.

I photograph others, and others photograph me—thank you!

We played until 5:30 p.m., then walked to an underground shopping mall near Jin'an Road subway station for dinner at a small eatery. The meal was economical—94 yuan for four dishes and a soup, filling and budget-friendly. Afterwards, we took the subway one stop to the train station, retrieved our stored luggage, passed through ticket check, and entered the waiting hall.

The train departed on time and arrived at Shanghai Hongqiao in under two hours. Our three-day, two-night independent trip came to a perfect end.

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