Must-Visit Places in Qiandao Lake

Qiandao Lake One-Day Tour Guide (Budget 500 RMB) Destination: Qiandao Lake, Hangzhou, Zhejiang (Known as "The Most Beautiful Waters Under Heaven") Recommended Reasons: Qiandao Lake is famous for its clear waters, numerous islands, and beautiful natural scenery. It’s perfect for a one-day trip to relax, with some attractions free or low-cost, ideal for travelers on a budget. Itinerary (Budget 500 RMB) Morning: Arrive at Qiandao Lake & Lake Circuit Cycling 7:00-8:30 Depart from Hangzhou (Recommended by high-speed train or bus) High-speed train (Hangzhou East → Qiandao Lake Station) about 1 hour, ticket price 70 RMB Bus (Hangzhou West Station → Qiandao Lake Passenger Center) about 2 hours, ticket price 40 RMB 8:30-9:00 After arrival, take a taxi or bus to the central lake area of Qiandao Lake (about 20 RMB) 9:00-11:00 Lake circuit cycling (Free / bike rental 30 RMB) Recommended route: Qiandao Lake Square → Xiushui Bridge → Cycling Greenway (Beautiful lake views along the way, great for photos) Rental cost: Shared bike or electric bike (30 RMB/hour, recommended cycling 1-2 hours) Noon: Lunch & Lakeside Walk 11:00-12:30 Lunch (50 RMB) Recommended to try Qiandao Lake fish head soup (around 50 RMB per person, such as "Qiandao Lake Fish Flavor Restaurant" or local small eateries) 12:30-13:30 Lakeside walk (Free) Recommended spots: Qiandao Lake Riverside Park or Menggutang Cultural Park (offers distant lake views) Afternoon: Island Tour (Optional) or Free Viewing Platform Option 1: Island Tour (If budget allows) 13:30-16:30 Boat tour of islands (about 150 RMB) Recommended Meifeng Island (overlooking the entire Qiandao Lake) or Moonlight Island (romantic photo spot) Boat ticket + entrance fee about 150 RMB (booking online in advance may be cheaper) Option 2: Free Viewing Platform (If budget is limited) 13:30-15:00 Tianyu Mountain Viewing Platform (Free) You can hike or take a taxi (about 20 RMB) up the mountain to overlook the entire Qiandao Lake, with stunning scenery! 15:00-16:00 Beer Town (Free) European-style architecture, great for photos, and you can also visit the Beer Museum for free (ticket 30 RMB, optional) Evening: Sunset & Return Trip 16:30-17:30 Watch the sunset by the lake (Free) Recommended spots: Qiandao Lake Bridge or Xiushui Square 17:30-19:00 Return to Hangzhou (High-speed train / bus, 70 RMB) Cost Breakdown (Total budget about 480 RMB) Item Cost (RMB) Hangzhou → Qiandao Lake Transportation 70 (high-speed train) or 40 (bus) Qiandao Lake Local Transportation 20 (taxi/bus) Bike Rental 30 Lunch 50 Island Tour (Optional) 150 Or Free Viewing Platform 0 Return Transportation 70 (high-speed train) or 40 (bus) Others (snacks/water) 30 Total 420-500 Money-Saving Tips ✅ Transportation: Choose the bus for cheaper fare (round trip 80 RMB vs high-speed train 140 RMB) ✅ Dining: Avoid expensive tourist restaurants, choose local small eateries ✅ Tickets: Tianyu Mountain Viewing Platform is free, more cost-effective than island tours ✅ Cycling: Shared bikes are cheaper than electric bikes Optional Upgrades (Over budget but worth it) Night tour of Qiandao Lake (boat ticket about 100 RMB) Forest oxygen bar hiking (ticket 60 RMB) Hope this guide helps you enjoy Qiandao Lake! Feel free to adjust the itinerary if you have more needs~ 🌊🚴‍♀️