The beauty of the Jiangnan region has always been tied to water. “At sunrise, flowers by the river outshine fire; in spring, the river water is bluer than indigo.” Flowing waters form the unique rhythm of Jiangnan cities, painting a captivating scroll of a watery wonderland.
Hangzhou is just such a city. Built along rivers, thriving because of lakes, backed by Xixi Wetland, embracing West Lake, facing the Qiantang River to the east, and crisscrossed by canals such as the Grand Canal, Central Canal, East Canal, and Tiesha River. While literati love to stand alone in boats, sipping wine and composing poetry, most ordinary folks prefer to walk, silently circling the riverbanks and lake shores again and again, uncovering the unique charm of this watery land.
Walking is a form of positive energy. With just a backpack, a pair of feet, and a young heart, stroll leisurely or power-walk along winding waterways, bidding farewell to urban noise and escaping the concrete jungle. The clear river, gentle water, and rolling waves will inspire you, empower you, and make you think.
In Hangzhou, the best city for hiking, follow the waterways and measure every inch of land with your footsteps. Each step reveals a unique world.
Strolling the Classic West Lake
“There is a lake in my heart, where distant mountains and nearby waters blend into a painting. Peach blossoms blush and willows green early in spring; guests come and go, boats come and go...”
West Lake is legendary. It’s where the romantic encounters of the White Snake and Xu Xian, and Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai took place, and where the heroic spirits of Yue Fei and Qiu Jin live on. Visiting Hangzhou, how can you miss this classic route?
In early spring, with warm breezes brushing your face, willow buds bursting forth, and winter jasmine smiling, step onto Bai Causeway, cross Broken Bridge, and let the story-rich West Lake reveal itself to you step by step.
When walking by the lake, be sure to visit Solitary Hill. “Broken Bridge isn’t really broken, Solitary Hill isn’t really solitary, and Long Bridge isn’t really long”—these are the three wonders of West Lake. Solitary Hill is a small hill in the lake. Though just a few dozen meters high, it is a hub of culture and elegance, home to the Zhejiang Library housing the Complete Library of the Four Treasuries, the Zhejiang Museum displaying cultural relics and historical records, the former residence of Qing scholar Yu Yue (Yu’s Pavilion), and the Memorial Spring of Ouyang Xiu from the Song Dynasty (Liu Yi Spring)—all gathered here.
At the northern foot of Solitary Hill stands the Release Crane Pavilion, built for the reclusive poet Lin Hejing, who wrote, “Sparse shadows slant across clear shallow water; faint fragrance drifts in the moonlight at dusk.” This poet eventually chose reclusion. If you’re also a bit tired of the city’s hustle, wouldn’t you cheer for his choice? At the foot of the hill lies a prominent statue of Qiu Jin, the female knight whose life was equally remarkable. Surrounded by blue waters and lush flowers, wandering up and down Solitary Hill feels like entering a three-dimensional garden. Accidentally stumbling into the Xiling Seal Art Society, sipping a cup of Longjing tea, then descending the hill to the century-old Louwailou Restaurant—this brief tour covers all the essence of West Lake.
Walking West Lake has its own beauty in daylight and at night. The Lakeside Road area greets you with the vibrant “city on one side, clouded mountains on three sides.” Sit on a stone bench in Three Pools Mirroring the Moon Park, watch the musical fountain, listen to the tune of “Butterfly Lovers,” and let yourself be enchanted. Or, hike Su Causeway like a local—under the cover of night, with twinkling lights from Kuahong Bridge all the way to Yingbo Bridge, ambient sounds of Impression West Lake in your ears, and dark silhouettes of trees before your eyes. Your body may be panting and sweaty, but your heart will be filled with indescribable joy.
Recommended Walking Routes:
1. Romantic Broken Bridge: Bai Causeway – Xiling Bridge, 2 km in total;
2. Leisurely Su Causeway: Kuahong Bridge – Dongpu Bridge – Yadi Bridge – Wangshan Bridge – Suolan Bridge – Yingbo Bridge, 2.7 km in total;
3. Longjing Tea Trail: Maojiabu – Longjing Road – Longjing Village, 3.5 km in total;
4. Exploring Zen: Lingyin Road – Lingyin Temple – Tianzhu Road – Fayin Temple – Fajing Temple – Faxi Temple, 3.2 km in total.
Hiking the Cultural Grand Canal
Golden white light illuminates exquisite pavilions, while blue-green light mists create a dreamy glow. Sculptures and calligraphy under the bridges, bold or serene, pop into view like musical notes.
This is the ancient Grand Canal in lantern light and paddle sounds—in fact, it’s the Hangzhou section of the canal. A thousand years of canal culture, brought to life through modern lighting, feel even more vivid and approachable.
Locals humorously refer to walking alongside the canal as “walking with luck.” When hiking carries the beautiful wish for blessings, doesn’t it become even more tempting to get started?
The most atmospheric time to “walk with luck” is in the evening, starting from the bustling West Lake Culture Square in downtown. The square is lively, with hot winds blowing as aunties and uncles dance to the trendiest beats with the most fashionable moves. Start off with that energy, cross Yeqingdou Bridge, and head north, then keep going north.
A path just one or two meters wide, with stone steps, is perfect for a quiet solo walk. The sound of flowing water accompanies your rhythm, and the uncles and aunties striding toward you add motivation. They’re all walking with luck—so why not you and I, the young ones?
Walk a while, and the lights come on—that’s Dadou Road, once the liveliest stretch of the “Ten-Li Silver Huzhou Suburb.” To its north lies the famous Beixin Customs House from the Ming and Qing dynasties, to its south the renowned Fuyicang granary from the Qing dynasty, and to its west the top temple outside old Hangzhou’s walls during the Ming and Qing eras—Xiangji Temple. Now glowing brilliantly in the dark, Xiangji Temple suddenly brightens your view.
Further north is Xiaohe Straight Street, with red lanterns hanging by the doors, exuding warmth and a sense of reunion. Towering Gongchen Bridge spans the canal, offering a thrill of millennial history. In the dark, keep walking, following the blue-green lights embedded in the skyscrapers along both banks—that’s the direction of the water flow and your destination.
Recommended Walking Route
1. Food Streets & Cultural Heritage: Beixing Park – Canal Square – Dadou Road Historic Block – West Lake Culture Square, about 7.1 km in total;
2. Dockside & Genshan Charm: West Lake Culture Square – Genshanmen Dock – Yulu Dock – Pujia Dock – Rainbow Bridge, 4.4 km in total;
3. Riverside Views, Embracing the Bustle: Xintang Road – Genshan Canal Park – Wulinmen Dock, 4.6 km in total;
4. Historic Blocks and Unique Exhibitions: Huazhe Park – Xinyi Wharf – Beixin Pass Wharf – Qiaoxi Historic Conservation Area – Canal Tianxia, approximately 6.4 km in total.
Explore the Most Natural Xixi
"Xixi, stay a while" – the Xixi Wetland that left Ge You enchanted is China’s first national wetland park integrating urban, agricultural, and cultural wetlands. Take a painted pleasure boat to take in the scenic beauty of Xixi, but what if you venture off the beaten path through the wetland?
This hiking route is free of charge and begins at Wen’er West Road. It’s the ticket-free zone of Xixi Wetland – a stone-paved path lined with persimmon trees on both sides, shutting out the hustle and bustle. The closer you get, the more pristine the surroundings become: rivers, ponds, wild trees, and walking trails, all accompanied by the occasional chirp of birds.
Natural and tranquil, but that’s not all. The Slow Life Block is packed with charming and unique little shops that are sure to surprise. Head up to Ruola Town to sample signature grilled dishes in a bright, glass-walled space, or visit Jianghu 19 to let loose to the tunes of classic oldies. For those who enjoy a livelier scene, explore the small shops near Jiangcun Market – freshly grilled Xixi fish, crisp and flaky, ready to be torn apart by hand. There’s also freshly pounded rice cakes, handmade rice pastries, and peanut candy being made, accompanied by hearty shouts and rhythmic hammering – that’s the taste of a traditional Chinese New Year.
Recommended Tour Route:
1. Fangxi Road Hongyuan: Wuchang Avenue – Fangxi Road – Wen’er West Road, 3.8 km in total
2. Slow Life Fudi: North Entrance of Wen’er West Road – Jiangcun Market. Slow Life Block – Fudi Tianmushan Road South Entrance, 2.4 km in total
3. Wetland Waterway Journey: Zhoujiacun Entrance – Zhile Bridge – Baijia Bridge – Yanshui Fishing Farm – ShenTanKou – Xialongtan Ecological Conservation Area – Xixi Shuige – Xixi Caotang, 5.7 km in total.
Discover the Most Everyday Hangzhou
Beautiful West Lake, shabby city – this was how some once described Hangzhou. But as times change, what evolves is not only people but the face of the entire city.
Nowadays, what makes a trip to Hangzhou truly delightful isn’t just the scenic spots like West Lake, the Grand Canal, or Xixi, but the hidden beauty within the small streets, alleys, and humble courtyards – unexpected encounters that bring pleasant surprises.
Start at Hefang Street to witness the liveliest slice of local life, then turn into Donghe to reach Wuliu Lane, home to the most ordinary Hangzhou households. A gentle stream flows by, while the metasequoias along the bank block out the noise of the outside world. Lush green foliage frames the clean white walls and black tiles, and elderly locals stroll leisurely, fanning themselves. What a carefree way to live.
Walk to Qingchun Road, and the scenery is far from over. Head east just a few dozen meters to Daxue Road, where the ruins of the old Zhejiang University lie, and where Yu Dafu and Wang Yingxia once rented a home in 1933. But lovebirds destined for heaven are rare, and the talented scholar and beautiful lady eventually drifted apart. Leave a touch of wistfulness behind, turn westward to Dat’er Lane, by Zhonghe, the setting of Dai Wangshu’s "Rain Alley": "Holding an oiled-paper umbrella, I wander alone / Down the long, long and desolate lane, / Hoping to encounter / A girl like a lilac with a grievance in her heart." No matter how much the world changes, this remains a lane of white walls and black tiles. Just stroll slowly, hoping that the lilac-like girl might drift by.
Recommended Exploration Route
1. Meidenggaoqiao – Xiqiao – Dengyunqiao – Yanbeiqiao – Xinqiao – Fengleqiao – Chaifuqiao – Wangjiang Road, 3.7 km in total.
2. Donghe: Fenghuangting – Baoshanqiao – Cai Shi Qiao – Wan’an Qiao – Hefang Street, 3.9 km in total.
Extension: Hangzhou has many more hiking routes.
For example:
Encounter the Coolest City
The sound of springs, cool relief in summer, plus attractions like Li’an Temple, Yangmeiling, and Longjing Village. From Jiuxi Road – Jiuxi 18 Gullies – Longjing Village, 3.2 km in total.
Gaze at the Most Majestic Qiantang River
On one side, the surging Qiantang River; on the other, Qianjiang New Town, the future center of Hangzhou’s development. The sweeping views showcase towering skyscrapers and beautiful surroundings. A riverside walk lets you admire the tallest and most stunning buildings and experience the most fashionable, modern urban scenery. Route 1: From Liuhe Pagoda – Zhijiang Road – Qianjiang New Town – City Balcony, 11.1 km in total. Route 2: From Fuxing Bridge – Wentao Road – Xixing Bridge, 4.1 km in total.