West Lake in March, shrouded in misty rain.
On the Broken Bridge, a young woman in hanfu walks slowly under an oil-paper umbrella. In the distance, Leifeng Pagoda is hidden in clouds and mist, appearing and disappearing. The willow trees by the lake have just sprouted new buds, swaying gently in the drizzle.
In this moment, you seem to have traveled back to Lin’an City of a thousand years ago.
Zhejiang is a place full of poetry.
Province Profile#
- Location: Southeast China coast, on the East China Sea
- Best Travel Season: March-May (spring), September-November (autumn)
- Highlights: West Lake scenery, water towns, landscape poetry, home of silk
Must-Visit Attractions#
Hangzhou West Lake: The Epitome of Paradise on Earth#
“Comparing West Lake to Xi Shi, whether in light makeup or heavy, she’s always beautiful.”
West Lake is not large—circumnavigating it is only about 10 kilometers—but it hides the “Ten Scenes of West Lake”: Spring Dawn at Su Causeway, Curved Yard and Lotus Pool in Summer, Autumn Moon over Calm Lake, Lingering Snow on Broken Bridge…
Each scene name is a painting.
Broken Bridge is famous from “The Legend of the White Snake,” where Xu Xian and the White Snake Lady met. After winter snow, the snow on the bridge melts first, making it look broken from a distance—hence “Lingering Snow on Broken Bridge.”
Su Causeway was built when Su Dongpo served as governor of Hangzhou. It’s 2.8 kilometers long, lined with willow and peach trees. In spring when peach blossoms bloom and willow catkins fly, it’s the most beautiful time at West Lake.
Best Experience: At six in the morning, rent a public bicycle and ride along the lake. West Lake in the morning mist is as quiet as an ink painting.
Wuzhen: Once You’ve Been, You Never Really Leave#
Wuzhen is one of the four great water towns of Jiangnan, divided into East and West Scenic Areas.
The East Gate preserves authentic water town life, with dye houses, wine workshops, and woodcarving museums on the old streets—living museums. The West Gate is more refined, with night scenery especially enchanting—lights reflecting in the water, small boats gliding through, like a dreamscape.
Best Experience: Stay overnight in the West Gate, enjoy the night view, then wake up at five in the morning to see Wuzhen without tourists.
Putuo Mountain: Buddhist Kingdom on the Sea#
Putuo Mountain is one of China’s four famous Buddhist mountains, the bodhimanda of Guanyin Bodhisattva.
Temples are scattered across the island, with Puji Temple, Fayu Temple, and Huiji Temple being the three great temples with flourishing incense. Every year on the three Guanyin festivals (19th of the 2nd, 6th, and 9th lunar months), devotees come from all directions to worship.
Beyond Buddhist culture, Putuo Mountain’s seascape is beautiful. Thousand Step Beach and Hundred Step Beach are natural seaside bathing spots; Purple Bamboo Grove faces the sea, listening to the sound of waves.
Best Experience: Stay overnight on the mountain, then watch the sunrise by the sea in the morning, seeing the sun slowly rise from the horizon.
Special Experiences#
Longjing Tea Inquiry#
Hangzhou West Lake Longjing is one of China’s top ten famous teas.
“Pre-Qingming Longjing” picked before Qingming Festival is most precious, costing tens of thousands per jin. Go to Longjing Village or Meijiawu, find a tea farmer, sit by the tea garden, and drink a cup of freshly roasted new tea—pure fragrance filling your mouth.
Shaoxing Yellow Wine#
Shaoxing is the hometown of yellow wine, with Guyue Longshan and Kuaijishan being century-old brands.
At Xianheng Hotel in Shaoxing, order a plate of fennel beans, a bowl of warm yellow wine, and imitate Kong Yiji, slowly savoring the taste of this city.
Nanxi River Drifting#
The Nanxi River in Yongjia, Wenzhou has crystal clear water and green mountains on both banks.
Take a bamboo raft drifting downstream, watching ancient villages and pastoral scenery on both sides, listening to the boatman sing a mountain song—this is the most pleasant summer experience.
Travel Tips#
- Transportation: Hangzhou is Zhejiang’s transportation hub with high-speed rail connecting to all parts of the country. There are direct buses from Hangzhou to Wuzhen, about 1.5 hours.
- Accommodation: In Hangzhou, stay near West Lake or Hefang Street; in Wuzhen, stay within the West Gate scenic area.
- Note: West Lake is crowded on weekends and holidays—recommend visiting on weekdays or early mornings. Wuzhen’s West Gate night view is most beautiful—definitely stay overnight.
Zhejiang’s beauty lies in its subtlety.
West Lake doesn’t show off, yet makes people never forget; Wuzhen isn’t noisy, yet makes people never want to leave; Putuo Mountain isn’t ornate, yet brings peace to the soul.
In Zhejiang, you can slow down, listen to rain, taste tea, watch mountains, gaze at water, and rediscover what life should be.
Tomorrow, we head to Anhui to see the sea of clouds at Huangshan and the ancient villages of Huizhou.