Hángzhōu Getting there & around

Getting around

Boat

Getting out on the water is one of the best ways to enjoy West Lake. Cruise boats depart from the eastern shore, crossing the lake and visiting the islands en route for Y45. If you want a private ride, you can be paddled around for Y80 per hour. For a romantic evening under the stars, there are night tours of the lake for Y25 per person. If you’d prefer to do the work yourself, there are paddle boats available for Y30 to Y50 an hour.

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Bus & tram

Bus

Hángzhōu has a clean, efficient bus system and getting around is easy. Bus K7 is very useful – it connects the main train station to the eastern side of the lake. Bus K56 travels from the east bus station to Yan’an Lu and buses 15 and K15 connect the north long-distance bus station to the northwest area of the lake. Tourist bus Y1 circles the lake to Lingyin Temple and bus Y2 goes from the train station, along Beishan Lu and up to Lingyin Temple. Tourist bus Y3 travels around the West Lake to the Silk Museum, China Tea Museum, Dragon Well Tea Village and the Southern Song dynasty Guan Kiln. Tourist bus Y5 will take you out to the Six Harmonies Pagoda. Tickets are Y2 to Y5.

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Local transport

Taxi

Metered taxis are ubiquitous and start at Y10; figure on around Y20 to Y25 from the train station to Hubin Lu.

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Bicycle

Bike hire (Y15 per four hr, Y500 deposit) is available from Mingtown Youth Hostel and from stalls (Y8 per hr, Y200 deposit) across from the Yue Fei Mausoleum. Check out the bikes before you take off, especially the brakes.

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