Hangzhou Travel Guide: West Lake Boating, Zen Temple, and Wetland Exploration

🌅 [First Time in Hangzhou: Three Dreams in Heaven] The first time I visited Hangzhou, I was completely captivated by the saying, "In heaven there is paradise, on earth there are Suzhou and Hangzhou." During my three-day, two-night trip, I traveled between the poetic West Lake, the Zen-like Lingyin Temple, and the wild Xixi Wetland, as if I had fallen into a flowing ink painting. This guide will use real experiences to unlock the unique ways to explore these three landmarks! 🚣 First Stop: West Lake | Boating in the Rain, Enjoying the Gentleness of Jiangnan 🌿 My Secret Route: Yang Gong Di → Mao Jia Bu → Turtle Pond Avoiding the crowded Broken Bridge and Su Causeway, I chose the lesser-known "West Lake Secret Line." In the morning, I rented a bicycle and rode along Yang Gong Di. The lake surface shimmered in the morning mist, occasionally startling a few egrets. When I arrived at Mao Jia Bu, I spent 15 yuan to hop on a rowing boat. The boatwoman smiled as she pushed the bamboo pole: "This is the West Lake in the eyes of old Hangzhou people!" ✨ Stunning Moment When the boat passed through the bridge hole, a wild water area unfolded before my eyes - Turtle Pond. Reeds swayed on both sides, wild ducks flapped their wings across the water, and the boatwoman hummed a Yue opera tune, as if I had traveled back to the Southern Song Dynasty. After getting off the boat, I tasted Longjing shrimp at "Tea Village." The fragrance of tea leaves wrapped around the sweetness of shrimp, a taste I still remember. 📌 Practical Tips - Rowing boat charter price: 150-300 yuan/hour (can be shared by 4-6 people) - Off-peak hours: Before 10 am/after 4 pm on weekdays - Hidden spot: Leifeng Pagoda reflection at Changqiao Park 🏯 Second Stop: Lingyin Temple | Spiritual SPA in a Thousand-Year-Old Temple🙏 My Pilgrimage Route: Feilai Peak Statues → Lingyin Temple → Yongfu Zen Temple At 7 am, I entered the Feilai Peak Scenic Area. The morning dew had not yet dissipated, and 148 cliff carvings loomed in the mist. The most impressive was the Song Dynasty Maitreya Buddha, whose smiling face has remained warm for a thousand years. In front of the Mahavira Hall of Lingyin Temple, watching the smoke rise, I suddenly understood the deep meaning of "Life cannot always be as you wish, just seek half satisfaction in everything." 🍜 Zen Experience I ate a bowl of vegetarian noodles at the "Shifang Garden" in the temple. The fresh taste of shiitake mushrooms and bamboo shoots hit my soul! Even more surprising was the "Compassion Cup Coffee" at Yongfu Zen Temple. Holding a coffee cup with the word "fate," sitting under a hundred-year-old camphor tree, listening to the wind chimes, I tasted a bit of Zen. 📌 Practical Tips - Lingyin Temple ticket: Feilai Peak 45 yuan + Lingyin Temple 30 yuan (includes three incense sticks) - Blessing Guide: Tianwang Hall for peace, Yaoshi Hall for health, Huayan Hall for academics - Off-peak secret: Arrive before 6:30 am on weekends 🍃 Third Stop: Xixi Wetland | Boating into the Green Wilderness 🛶 My Exploration Route: Zhoujia Village → Shentan Kou → Hezhu Street Slowly entering the wetland by rowing boat, the oars cut through the green water, creating ripples. The boatman pointed to the shore and said, "The persimmon tree where Shu Qi stood in the TV series 'If You Are the One,' full of red lantern-like fruits in autumn!" Although there were no red persimmons in May, the bamboo and water lilies along the shore formed a jade corridor. 🎋 Secret Discovery At Shentan Kou, I climbed the "Skywalk" to see the entire wetland. Even more surprising was the "Xixi Dragon Boat Exhibition Hall" on Hezhu Street, where I touched a mini dragon boat made by intangible cultural heritage craftsmen. In the evening, I ate osmanthus sugar lotus root at "Moon Bud · Free Restaurant." The reeds outside the window were dyed golden by the sunset, and egrets flew over the water to catch small fish, full of wild fun. 📌 Practical Tips - Boat choice: Electric boat 60 yuan/person (fixed route) vs. Rowing boat 100 yuan/hour (can go deep into tributaries) - Must-try activity: High-altitude helium balloon for panoramic view (180 yuan/person) - Ecological reminder: Bring mosquito repellent in May 🌟 Three-Day, Two-Night Itinerary Reference Day 1 Morning: West Lake Yang Gong Di cycling → Turtle Pond rowing boat Afternoon: Leifeng Pagoda climb → Changqiao Park sunset Night stay: Xixia Xiaozhu by West Lake (lake view from window) Day 2 Early morning: Lingyin Temple blessing → Yongfu Zen Temple coffee Afternoon: Faxi Temple for amulet → Meijiawu Tea Village tea picking Night tour: Impression West Lake live performance Day 3 All day: Xixi Wetland boat tour → Hezhu Street handcraft experience Evening: Wetland helium balloon for panoramic view → Return 💡 Tested Pit Avoidance Guide 1. 🚲 Shared bicycles by West Lake are hard to find after 8 pm. Recommend renting red bicycles in the scenic area (free within 1 hour) 2. 🍵 Buy tea in Longjing Village, look for "Shifeng Mountain" origin, be cautious of prices below 50 yuan/50g 3. 📸 No photos of Buddha statues in Lingyin Temple, use telephoto lens for Feilai Peak statues 4. 🚣 Queue for rowing boats in Xixi Wetland, arrive at Zhoujia Village Pier before 9 am on weekends 🌺 Postscript: The A and B Sides of Hangzhou This city has both the delicacy of West Lake and the wildness of Xixi; it accommodates the morning bells and evening drums of Lingyin Temple and the bustling atmosphere of Hefang Street. When I saw an eighty-year-old man writing "Lantingji Xu" with a brush dipped in water by Xiling Bridge, I suddenly understood: The beauty of Hangzhou is hidden in every moment when people are willing to stop for beauty.