Heaven is above, and Suzhou and Hangzhou are below. When it comes to Hangzhou, the first thing that comes to mind is surely the picturesque Broken Bridge at West Lake. But Hangzhou’s beauty isn’t limited to West Lake. Today, we’ll introduce you to a new destination. It rivals Guilin and rivals Taihu Lake in beauty — this is the water source of Nongfu Spring — Qiandao Lake.
Qiandao Lake Scenic Area, also known as the Xin’an River Reservoir, is located in Chun’an County, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province. It is a national AAAAA-level tourist attraction and a national forest park. Among China’s major rivers and lakes, Qiandao Lake ranks first in water quality, classified as national first-class water. It meets drinking water standards without any treatment and is hailed as “the finest water under heaven.”
With its vast expanse of blue waters, competing picturesque islets, secluded bays, lush forests, and valleys and peaks complementing each other, Qiandao Lake forms a world-renowned island-lake landscape. The lake is tree-shaped in form, with 1,078 islands of varying sizes, diverse shapes, and well-distributed clusters, making it the largest artificial lake in China.
Thousand mountains and myriad waters — this is the most authentic depiction of Qiandao Lake. The beauty of Qiandao Lake is undeniable. Beyond boating, island-hopping, and enjoying nature, there are plenty of amusement facilities and a wide variety of activities to enjoy. Today, we’re introducing several alternative ways to experience Qiandao Lake, allowing you to rediscover it from the wild.
Activity 1: Mountain Racing at Shilin Auto-Moto Town
More fun than a roller coaster, more thrilling than an off-road vehicle, and more challenging than go-karting — the most popular and challenging leisure sport today is auto-moto racing. Adjacent to Qiandao Lake, Shilin Auto-Moto Town differs from the deserts and grasslands of northern regions. With 70% of its area featuring karst landforms, it is China’s first sports town built on stone.
Auto-moto racing is an extremely challenging sport. The town offers various vehicle types and multiple terrains: there’s QQ Speed for kids, Cupid Speed for couples; there are flat inner-course roads and mountain-crossing routes. It caters to visitors of all ages and interests.
Under the guidance of professional staff, after putting on protective gear and completing a brief training session, you can hop on a mountain racing vehicle and weave through undulating rocky forests, experiencing the dance of auto-moto sports on stone, enjoying speed and thrill, and releasing stress from daily life and work.
Activity 2: Canyoning in Qiandao Lake Grand Canyon
Remember the childhood days when you sneaked off with friends to play by the river without telling adults? Relive those memories at Qiandao Lake Grand Canyon.
Located about 40 kilometers from Qiandao Lake Town, the Grand Canyon features cool, secluded mountain waterfalls. At first glance, it’s an undeveloped canyon that retains its pristine appearance. The streams here are crystal clear, and the forests are dense, making it a perfect spot for canyoning.
Put on your canyoning shoes and embark on an exciting journey. During the activity, close teamwork is essential as you cross streams and riverbanks, climb challenging obstacles, immersing yourself in nature’s beauty, strengthening bonds with friends, and gaining confidence and a sense of achievement from overcoming difficulties.
Activity 3: Cycling on Shangjiangbu Bridge
Cycling is a common outdoor activity nowadays, but cycling through Qiandao Lake while taking in the sweeping landscapes — doesn’t that sound tempting?
The Qiandao Lake Cycling Greenway loops 138 km around the lake. To protect the ecological environment as much as possible, Chun’an County didn’t dig into mountains or fill in the lake during construction. Instead, 11 new bridges were built over the water and two mountain tunnels were constructed, with greening efforts carried out simultaneously with construction. After completion, this road was selected as one of Zhejiang’s “Most Beautiful Roads.”
Always cycle within your limits. Warm up before starting, and it’s best to prepare professional cycling gear — a helmet is a must. For stunning scenery along the way, consider the most picturesque route, the Chunyang Line. Flower-covered landscapes stretch as far as the eye can see — a perfect backdrop for photos. With wide roads and panoramic views, the scenery will captivate you.
Activity 4: Competitive Hiking on Sheling Ancient Trail
Nestled among the towering mountains in northwestern Chun’an lies an ancient official path paved with bluestone slabs — the millennia-old Sheling Ancient Trail. In ancient times, it served as a trade route connecting Chun’an in Zhejiang and ancient Huizhou. Over time, with improved transportation, it has become a hotspot for outdoor enthusiasts seeking competitive hikes and adventure.
Upon reaching the trailhead, you can begin your ascent toward the mountaintop. The trail winds uphill through mountain folds, with enticing scenery along the way. Due to its age, some paths are completely overgrown with shrubs, and parts of the original bluestone slabs have disappeared.
From the foothills to the summit, you’ll pass through several climate zones, with vegetation changing from evergreen shrubbery to deciduous forests and mixed woods, culminating in alpine meadows at the top. The views are breathtaking, offering a stunning blend of mountain and grassland landscapes.
Activity 5: Hiking up Jinzijian Peak
Jinzijian Peak is located in northern Chun’an, standing at 1,450.8 meters above sea level, making it the highest peak in the area. Covered with pine trees, it is known as the “Huangshan of Western Zhejiang.”
According to local chronicles: “When the morning sun shines upon it, a golden-purple glow appears,” hence the name. This area hasn’t been heavily developed for tourism, making it a popular destination for hikers and explorers. However, the trails are quite tough to climb due to rugged paths and steep terrain, often proving difficult for average visitors.
As you hike, cross mountains and ridges, taking breaks along the way, you’ll eventually come upon a vast alpine meadow after ascending a slope. Above, the sky is azure blue, and surrounding you are continuous high mountains. Locals say that during the chrysanthemum blooming season, the hillsides are covered with wildflowers, earning this spot the nickname “Ten-Thousand-Flower Plain.”
The most important part of any journey is having fun. Gather a few friends and embark on a unique Qiandao Lake adventure.