[2025 Hangzhou Attraction] Travel Guide for Wansong Academy (Updated Feb)

Studying in Hangzhou for four years I've explored every nook and cranny around West Lake I absolutely love this gem of a place! Sharing 10 of my personal favorite, lesser-known spots for strolling and breathing in fresh air~ 100% greenery 🍃 and few tourists Friends visiting Hangzhou must check these out 🌿 1️⃣ Taiziwan Park 📍 Navigation: Taiziwan Park West Gate Enter from the west gate, follow the main road to the yellow church, and take photos from the opposite side—it looks just like a movie scene! 2️⃣ Wansong Academy 📍 Navigation: White Snake Flying Over A winding S-shaped boardwalk hidden in the forest, perfect for stunning photos! 3️⃣ Liulang Wenying Park 📍 Navigation: Xin Henghe Bridge Very close to my school, there's a bridge hole inside that looks like something out of 'The Wizard of Oz,' perfect for photos! 4️⃣ Jingci Temple 📍 Just navigate directly After entering, go up to the highest point; it's the best spot to view Leifeng Pagoda! The vegetarian restaurant at the entrance is also unique, don't miss it. 5️⃣ Wuguitan 📍 Navigation: Zixuan Hotel From the bridge, you can photograph the rowing boats on West Lake, giving a feeling of walking in a primeval forest. There are also some small tea houses and cafes along the way, adding to the charm. 6️⃣ Yunqi Bamboo Path 📍 Just navigate directly Shaded by bamboo, with winding paths, it's a natural oxygen bar perfect for cooling off in summer. 7️⃣ Maojiabu 📍 Navigation: Shang Maojiabu A local's backyard, known as the 'Inner West Lake' of Hangzhou, with babbling streams, various small stone arch bridges, beautiful pavilions, and a thousand-year-old tree by the river—unique and photogenic! 8️⃣ Yuhuangwan 📍 Just navigate directly You can row boats here without the crowds. At the entrance, you can see the white Qihong Bridge. The ecological environment is excellent, making it a serene secret spot of West Lake. 9️⃣ Jiuxi 📍 Navigation: Jiuxi No. 1 Bridge Along the way, you'll see tea gardens and ancient trees, and cross small streams on stone paths, like walking in a Tao Yuanming poem. 1️⃣0️⃣ Botanical Garden 📍 Navigation: Han Meilin Art Museum The giant Buddha head is here, and the botanical garden is also great for a stroll, surrounded by greenery. Limited space, feel free to leave comments Hangzhou has so many hidden gems, it's impossible to share them all at once.

Hangzhou~ A place where 'there is heaven above, and Suzhou and Hangzhou below.' 🌴🍃🌿☘️🍀🍃🍂🍁🎋🪷🌻🌈 Now is the most beautiful season in Hangzhou, only by taking a boat trip around the West Lake can you understand what true beauty is! Wandering the streets of Hangzhou, you can snap beautiful scenes everywhere‼️‼️‼️ Take advantage of the holiday and hurry to Hangzhou for a trip... Selected attractions: 🌟 West Lake in Hangzhou 🌟 Feilai Peak, Lingyin Temple 🌟 Wansong Academy 🌟 Hangzhou Gate 🌟 Raffles City Plaza

🌟West Lake is a must-see when visiting Hangzhou. However, the beautiful hidden gems around the lake are often overlooked. We sincerely recommend setting aside a day to escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy a peaceful city walk. 🚶**City walk route**: - **Start**: Orioles Singing in the Willows - **Pass by**: Wansong Academy, Hupao Park, Lian Temple - **End**: Han Meilin Art Museum 🌳**Attractions**: - **🔶Orioles Singing in the Willows**: This green paradise is a great place to take photos. Navigate to "Henghe Bridge" to find this hidden photo spot. You can also stroll along the lake and enjoy the tranquility. - **🔶Wansong Academy**: First, head to Baishen Feidu. The aerial walkway offers a great view for photography enthusiasts. Then, head to Wansong Academy and feel the fusion of ancient charm and culture. The place is even more mysterious on rainy days. - **🔶Hupao Park**: This is a peaceful park with a great atmosphere. The spring water is sweet and refreshing, and many visitors come here to take some home. Relax your mind and soul here. - **🔶Lian Temple**: Compared to the crowded Lingyin Temple, Lian Temple is a peaceful paradise. Feel the solemnity and tranquility of Buddhist culture here. - **🔶Han Meilin Art Museum**: This art museum is hidden in the botanical garden, and the giant Buddha head sculpture is a popular photo spot. We recommend visiting early to avoid the crowds and enjoy the art and nature. 📣**Tips**: Please remember to protect the environment and respect the local culture.

[Introduction]: Wansong Academy was the largest academy in Hangzhou during the Ming and Qing dynasties and the highest academic institution in Zhejiang. It is also famous for the beautiful legend of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, who studied together here for three years. 🕘 [Opening hours]: 07:30–16:30 💴 [Ticket price]: CNY 10 ⛺ [Things to do]: Experience the academy culture and visit the popular attraction (White Snake Flying Over) 100 meters west of the academy. 🚌 [Transportation]: Drive (50 meters west of the entrance, parking is expensive), Bus 102 (Wansongling)

| Travel back in time to meet the legendary White Snake. Hello, everyone! Today, I'm bringing you a super detailed guide to the White Snake Bridge! 🔥Transportation Guide • Bus: Take Bus 102 and get off at Wansongling Station. • Self-driving: You can park your car at the Wansong Academy parking lot. Walk down the stairs on the right side of the parking lot to find the White Snake Bridge. (See the path map in picture 7) 🔥Best Photo Spots • Corridor Panorama: Walk to the small slope opposite the corridor. This is the perfect spot to capture a panoramic view of the corridor. • Corridor Entrance Portrait: The entrance of the corridor is a hidden gem for portrait photography, transforming you into an ancient beauty or a dashing hero. • Bottom of the Corridor: Take a photo from the bottom of the corridor looking up to capture a beautiful and mysterious photo. • Bridge Railing: Have the person walk to the middle of the bridge and place the camera next to the right railing. The photo will have a strong sense of depth and story. Follow this guide to the White Snake Bridge, and you're sure to capture some stunning photos!

📍Attraction address: Wansong Academy 🚗Transportation: Take Metro Line 7 to Houchaomen Station (Exit C), then walk 1.5 km or ride a bike. 👍️Related attractions: Jieyi Pavilion, White Snake Flying, Wansong Academy, Southern Song Dynasty City Wall Ruins, etc. 🎟️Tickets: Free 🚶‍♀️Related routes: ①Jieyi Pavilion - White Snake Flying - Laohudong Ruins - Zhongshan Memorial Forest Monument of Zhejiang Province - Southern Song Dynasty City Wall Ruins ②Jieyi Pavilion - White Snake Flying - Phoenix Mountain - Phoenix Pavilion - Zhongshan Memorial Forest Monument of Zhejiang Province - Southern Song Dynasty City Wall Ruins ③Jieyi Pavilion - White Snake Flying - Phoenix Mountain - Shengguo Temple Ruins - Songcheng Road We took Route 2. The Laohudong area is closed. Route 2 takes about 2 hours and is suitable for families. 💗Other tips: √ Be sure to bring mosquito repellent, as there are many mosquitoes and insects. √ Be sure to arrange a day of outdoor activities for your children on weekends to boost their immunity, reduce illness, protect their eyes, and promote parent-child relationships!

Wansong Academy is located on Wansong Ridge, Phoenix Mountain, on the southern edge of West Lake. It was first built in the 11th year of the Hongzhi era of the Ming Dynasty (1498) and was once known as Taihe Academy and Fuwen Academy. It was the largest, longest-lasting, and most influential gathering place for literati in Hangzhou during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Great scholars such as Wang Yangming of the Ming Dynasty and Qi Zhaonan of the Qing Dynasty once lectured here. Yuan Mei, a poet of the Suiyuan Garden, also studied here. When the Kangxi and Qianlong emperors of the Qing Dynasty made their southern tours, they respectively bestowed the plaques "Zhejiang Water Fuwen" and "Lake Mountain Cuixiu".

Wansong Academy/Liang Zhu·White Snake Flying Over. I originally planned to visit the Sky Corridor, but unexpectedly came across the quiet and picturesque Wansong Academy. I had never noticed such a beautiful scenery before. What’s even more surprising is that the area around Wansongling Road is also very suitable for walking around the city and feeling the unique urban style. Attractions: Wansong Academy/White Snake Flying Crossing Detailed address: No. 81, Wansongling Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou City Ticket price: only 10 yuan/person (scan the QR code at the door to buy tickets, and it’s free every Saturday) ⏰Opening hours: daily from 7:30 to 16:30 Self-driving navigation: Easily navigate to "Wansong Academy Parking Lot" Green travel: Take Metro Line 5, exit from Exit B of Houchaomen Station, and walk only 1.5 kilometers to get there. ✅Wansong Academy: Wansong Academy is an academy with a long history, founded in the 11th year of Hongzhi in Ming Dynasty (1498). It was the largest, longest-lasting and most influential gathering place for literati in Hangzhou during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Wansong Academy is not only a place for academic research, but also famous for the love story of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai. The academy has elegant architecture, lush vegetation, and shady trees. It is a rare quiet place in Hangzhou. Climbing up the stairs is very comfortable and you can feel the atmosphere of an ancient academy. ✅White Snake Feidu You can easily find it by navigating to [White Snake Feidu], follow Go down the "Wansong Academy Parking Lot" and take the fork on the left. "White Snake Flying Crossing" is mainly inspired by the love story of White Snake and Xu Xian. Many classic love poems are engraved on the bridge. The entire plank road winds and hovers in mid-air, wrapped in several circular metal tubes to form a huge S-shape, a bit like the vines of evergreen oleifera vines. Walking along the promenade is like stepping into the Wizard of Oz, very comfortable.

Wansong Academy | Navigation: Wansong Academy Transportation: Take bus route 102 to Wansongling Station, Wansong Academy is near the bus stop. Ticket: 10 yuan, free for holders of the Culture and Tourism Card or Park Card. Features: Beautiful environment, ancient architectural style, romantic atmosphere, suitable for all seasons, and fewer visitors (except during the matchmaking corner's open hours on Saturdays). Wansong Academy is one of the new top ten scenic spots of West Lake. The matchmaking corner at Wansong Academy is open on Saturdays from 7:30 to 11:30, where a large number of parents gather to find suitable matches for their children.

🏯 Located on Wansong Ridge, south of the West Lake in Hangzhou, Wansong Academy is said to be the place where Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai studied together. It is a sacred place for love that tells a beautiful story, and now it has become a popular spot for young people to pray for good relationships... 🌹 The online Valentine's Day of 520 is approaching, commemorating this romantic day with the touching and beautiful legend of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, wishing all lovers in the world will eventually become united in marriage!

Experience the forest and the cicadas' song in the just-right early summer weather. Stroll through the lush green forest, a vision of verdant fairyland, hidden and romantic. Nestled among the green trees is a stunning aerial corridor, its serpentine 'S' shaped structure serves as a guide, while the elevated bridge provides a variety of shooting positions with its high and low arrangement. You can try shooting from beside the bridge, on the bridge, and under the bridge in the dense forest. The fairyland in Hangzhou's urban area is not to be missed. 📍Wansong Academy parking lot, 100 meters to the right ('White Snake Flying Over' bridge)

In Hangzhou, you can stumble upon exhibitions just by walking around. 🌹Sharing the citywalk route of the day🌹 |Nansong Imperial Street (ancient city charm)~|Dama Alley (local snacks)~|Splash Guanyin~|Yunju Mountain Cliff Carvings (hiking and sightseeing)~|Wansong Academy (historical culture)~|Hangzhou Normal University School of Fine Arts At the end of the journey, I discovered a graduate exhibition at the School of Fine Arts, a big surprise Many people may not know that the exhibition is free🆓 and open to the public, so there was no one in the gallery. Having the exhibition to myself was amazing❗❗ 2023 Hangzhou Normal University Undergraduate Graduation Exhibition 04/17-04/21 Public Art & Environmental Design 04/24-04/28 Visual Communication Design 05/01-05/06 Painting & Calligraphy 05/08-05/12 Fine Arts (Teacher Education) The works of art students are eye-catching, with traditional Chinese paintings, watercolors, oil paintings, calligraphy works, and a rich display of works. Definitely worth a visit

Visiting Hangzhou during the National Day? Here are some highly recommended spots to explore before you depart. Not only are they less crowded, but they also offer exceptional photo opportunities! 1⃣ Qingshan Lake Water Forest: This verdant oasis is reminiscent of stepping into the world of The Wizard of Oz. The play of light and shadow on the lake, filtered through the tree branches, is absolutely stunning. The sight of wild ducks gliding across the water is particularly soothing. 2⃣ Liangzhu Ancient City Ruins Park: This place is strikingly similar to the locales in Hayao Miyazaki's animated world. Each season presents a different scenic beauty. A stroll here is incredibly calming and serene. There's also a deer park where you can feed the fawns. 3⃣ Wansong Academy Sky Corridor: Located near Wansong Academy and nestled in the mountains, the winding S-shaped corridor is particularly therapeutic and photogenic under the sunlight. 4⃣ Han Meilin Art Museum: Situated within Hangzhou Botanical Garden, a left turn at the entrance will lead you to the iconic giant Buddha head. The place is less crowded, scenic, and offers high-quality photo opportunities. There are also indoor exhibitions to explore. 5⃣ Xiling Bridge: Reserve an afternoon in Hangzhou to watch the sunset here. Sit on a lakeside bench with your loved one and wait for the 1314 Love Bus. 6⃣ Huagang Fish Viewing: This place boasts a large area of waterside red maples and numerous carp in the water. The photo opportunities are exceptional, and under the sunlight, the entire scene is so beautiful it almost seems unreal. 7⃣ Yunsong Book House: This exquisite library, built by Mr. Jin Yong at a cost of millions, is nestled among pavilions, towers, artificial mountains, and flowing water, creating a tranquil scene reminiscent of a landscape painting. 8⃣ Taiziwan: This free park by the West Lake is beautiful all year round. The park is filled with greenery, and every snapshot is imbued with a French cinematic feel. 9⃣ Jingci Temple: This is one of my favorite temples in Hangzhou. It's a great spot for photographing the Leifeng Pagoda, located just opposite, and attracts fewer tourists than the pagoda. #ExploringTheBeautyOfWestLake #OutdoorFun #HiddenFreeCheck-inSpots #OutdoorBaseCamp #WeekendDestination

Wansong Academy is located on Wansong Ridge, north of Phoenix Mountain. The Ming Dynasty Confucian scholar Wang Yangming once lectured here. Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty inscribed the plaque with 'Zhejiang Water Spreads Culture', and henceforth it was renamed as Fufwen Academy. The current site still has the archway with the inscription 'Teacher for All Ages' and a stone stele faintly visible with 'Image of the Supreme Sage Confucius' among other relics.

So, I sat alone by the pond with an umbrella for an entire afternoon. Listening to Li Qingzhao softly sing 'flowers drift away, water flows on its own', Listening to Ouyang Xiu murmur 'in the idle courtyard, thousands of plum blossoms have fallen', Listening to Li Yu sigh deeply 'fallen plums beneath the steps are scattered like snow, brushing against me and still filling the air'. Then, I too could casually recite a line 'half the pond covered with fallen flowers, half with rain'. ———— 🚗Transportation: I took the subway line 5 to Hou Chao Men station, then walked 15mins to reach Wansong Academy. 🎫Ticket: 10r, annual park pass free 🌸Fallen Plums: Ascend the steps in front of the academy to the first archway, turn right into the plum grove, and you will see this very poetic scene of half the pond covered with fallen flowers. ⚠️Recommendation: I suggest visiting on a rainy day for the most beautiful atmosphere. Also, during the rain, no one will clear the pond, so there are more concentrated fallen flowers. Of course, it has been almost a week since I last saw the fallen flowers, so you can also choose to come on a rainy day during next year's plum blossom season! 🌈About Wansong Academy: Once known as Taihe Academy and Fuwen Academy, it was originally the Bao'en Temple built during the Tang Dynasty's Zhenyuan era. After expansion and reconstruction during the Ming Dynasty, it became a well-known academy in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang region. The story of 'Butterfly Lovers', where Zhu Yingtai disguised herself as a man and met Liang Shanbo to study together, took place at Wansong Academy. ☁️About Huanyun Pond: The Huanyun Pond in front of Wansong Academy is an old scene from the Tang Dynasty's Bao'en Temple, named after Bai Juyi's poem 'Huanyun Pond'. The poem goes: White clouds are heartless, rolling and unfolding, always pure. The shadow falls on an empty mirror, can be rinsed but not stained. Between the soaring kites and leaping fish, both above and below are clear and bright. This sentiment is hard to express in words, looking at it brings joy and pleasure.

| A tranquil place hidden in Hangzhou.⏰Opening hours: 07:30-16:30 📍Address: No. 81, Wansongling Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou 🎫Ticket price: 10 yuan/person, you can buy tickets online in advance, or buy tickets on site 🚇Transportation strategy: Take bus No. 102, get off at Wansongling Station, walk 75 meters; or take a taxi directly; Metro Line 5, Hou Chaomen Station, walk 1700 meters, a bit far ✨Play time: 1-2 hours 📍Wansong Academy, located on Wansongling of Phoenix Mountain at the southern edge of West Lake, was a gathering place for literati with large scale, long history, and wide influence in Hangzhou during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. In modern terms, this place was once a gathering place for top students. 🌿The natural ecological environment in the academy is particularly good, with many trees, it is a natural oxygen bar! The whole academy is very quiet, the stairs are not too tiring to climb, it's good! 🌺After visiting Wansong Academy, you can take a taxi or walk to West Lake or Leifeng Tower to continue touring Hangzhou! 💗In addition, it is said that in recent years, Wansong Academy has also become a very popular blind date corner in Hangzhou...

Qingshan Lake Water Forest Address: Qingshan Lake Scenic Area, Science and Technology Avenue, Lin'an District, Hangzhou Time: 8:00-17:00 (16:30 stop admission) 19:30-21:30 (night tour opening time) Self-driving: Navigation Liuzhuang Post Station Tourist Center Parking Lot Subway: Line 16 Bābǎilǐ Station C1 exit station walk about 1.4km Bus: Take bus 846 to Qingshan Lake Liuzhuang Post Station National ticket: 40/person (|Hangzhou citizens free|) Cycling free Kayaking 120-320 varies Tour guide: There are two tour routes Cycling path: The greenway for cycling is free of charge, you can cycle or walk or take the scenic sightseeing car, but you can't go down to the wooden plank road in the scenic area. Walk the wooden plank road: Buy tickets directly at the ticket office and enter, kayaking in the scenic area If you are not in a hurry, you can paddle for an hour and have a different flavor Wansong Academy Sky Corridor Address: Wansong Academy Parking Lot (Don't navigate directly to Wansong Academy, navigate to the parking lot!) Time: Open all day Transportation: Bus 102/52/Self-driving to Wansong Academy National ticket: Free, no reservation required Tour guide: In addition to taking pictures on the bridge, you can also read various poems under your feet. If you like to take pictures, you can wear light-colored clothes to be more in the scene and on the camera. There are many mosquitoes in the park. Bring mosquito repellent, sun hats and sunscreen clothes Chaohua Alley Address: Inside Shiwukui Lane Time: Open all day Chang Transportation: Get off at Jiangcheng Road subway station and walk to 'Balkan Inn' Tickets: Free, no reservation required

During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Wansong Academy was the largest, longest-lasting, and most influential literati meeting point in Hangzhou. It is also one of ten new attractions on the West Lake. Surviving ruins include a memorial arch bearing four Chinese characters meaning "model teacher of every age", referring to Confucius, and a stone tablet faintly engraved with his image.