West Lake (西湖) is the lake on the western edge of Hangzhou, a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape since 2011. The lakeshore and the two causeways are free and open all day. You pay for boats, for Leifeng Pagoda and for a few smaller sights: the boat to the island of Three Pools Mirroring the Moon is RMB 70 with the landing ticket, and the pagoda about RMB 40. Lingyin Temple, in the hills to the west, is free at present but needs a timed reservation made before the day. One full day covers the lake; add half a day for Lingyin and the tea villages.
What is West Lake?
The lake has hills on three sides and the city on the fourth. UNESCO lists it as a landscape that people improved over centuries: the two causeways and three islands were made from repeated dredging between the 9th and 12th centuries, and temples, pagodas, pavilions and gardens were added around them. Since the 13th century ten views have carried poetic names, such as Lingering Snow on the Broken Bridge. The design was copied in gardens across China, including the Summer Palace in Beijing, and in Japan and Korea.
What to see, and what it costs
| Sight | What it is | Cost and hours |
|---|---|---|
| Broken Bridge and Bai Causeway | The stone bridge at the north-east corner where, in legend, the White Snake met Xu Xian. From it the Bai Causeway runs west to Solitary Hill, with the Zhejiang Provincial Museum and the Xiling Seal Society | Free; open all day |
| Su Causeway | The longer of the two causeways, a tree-lined path across the lake that you walk or cycle from end to end | Free; open all day |
| Three Pools Mirroring the Moon | The island in the middle of the lake, reached only by boat, with a lake inside the island and three small stone pagodas standing in the water | Boat with landing ticket RMB 70; students and ages 60–69 RMB 60, 70 and over RMB 50 |
| Leifeng Pagoda | On Sunset Hill on the south shore. The old pagoda fell in 1924; the present one stands over its base, which you see under glass, and has lifts. The top looks over the whole lake | About RMB 40; 08:00–20:00, ticket sales to 19:30 |
| Yue Fei Temple | The temple and tomb of the Song-dynasty general Yue Fei, at the west end of the north shore | RMB 25 |
| Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak | A large Buddhist temple in the hills west of the lake, with Buddhist figures carved into the limestone of Feilai Peak beside it | Free at present; a real-name timed reservation is required, and same-day booking is not accepted |
Boats on West Lake
- The standard boat takes you from a lakeside pier to the island of Three Pools Mirroring the Moon and back to the shore. A ticket site listed it at RMB 70 with the landing ticket in October 2026, and RMB 35 for children between 1.2 and 1.5 m.
- Boats are listed as running from 08:00 to 21:00, about every 40 minutes, with the round-the-lake line stopping at 16:30. The closing time on the day is decided at the pier.
- Children under 1.2 m ride free. Travellers aged 60 and over, students and under-18s have discounted tickets.
- Hand-rowed boats with a boatman wait along the shore. They are priced per boat and by the hour, so agree the price and the time at the pier before you step in.
- There are about ten piers around the lake. Choose the one nearest to where you are walking instead of crossing the lake to find a particular one.
Tickets and practical notes
- Leifeng Pagoda concessions listed: children aged 6 and under or up to 1.2 m free; ages 6–18 and students half price; ages 60–69 half price; 70 and over free. The RMB 40 price is what visitors report paying; check it at the gate.
- Lingyin is free at present, but each visitor needs a real-name timed reservation. A passport is accepted, there is no same-day booking, and on-site registration ended on 1 February 2026.
- To get round the lake without walking all of it, use the electric sightseeing carts that circle the shore and stop when you wave, or a public bicycle.
- Boats, traffic controls and crowd measures change with the date, most of all on public holidays.
A one-day route
- Start at the Broken Bridge in the morning and walk the Bai Causeway to Solitary Hill.
- Take the boat to Three Pools Mirroring the Moon and walk round the island.
- After lunch, walk or cycle the Su Causeway.
- Finish at Leifeng Pagoda late in the afternoon for the view over the lake as the light drops.
- With another half day, book Lingyin Temple and add a tea village such as Longjing.
West Lake questions
Is West Lake free?
Yes. The lakeshore and causeways are free and open all day. Boats, Leifeng Pagoda and a few smaller sights are ticketed.
How long do I need at West Lake?
One full day for a causeway walk, the island boat and Leifeng Pagoda. Half a day is enough for one causeway and the boat.
How much is the West Lake boat?
The boat to Three Pools Mirroring the Moon was listed at RMB 70 with the landing ticket in October 2026. Hand-rowed boats are priced per boat by the hour.
Is West Lake a UNESCO World Heritage site?
Yes. The West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou was inscribed in 2011.
Is Leifeng Pagoda the original?
No. The old pagoda collapsed in 1924. The present one was built over the original base, which is on show inside.
Do I need to book Lingyin Temple?
Yes. Entry is free at present, but each visitor needs a real-name timed reservation, and it cannot be made on the day.
How do I get around West Lake?
On foot along the causeways, by boat across the water, by the electric carts that circle the shore, or by public bicycle.
Sources(5)
- West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou (World Heritage List, inscribed 2011)UNESCO World Heritage Centre
- West Lake Scenic Area listing: layout, ways round the lake and hoursTrip.com Group (Ctrip)
- West Lake boats listing: hours, frequency and concessionsTrip.com Group (Ctrip)
- West Lake tickets: island boat and Yue Fei Temple prices (10 October 2026)Qunar
- Leifeng Pagoda listing: history, hours and concessionsTrip.com Group (Ctrip)