Hangzhou West Lake Boat Ride & Off-the-Beaten-Path Walk
Description
Explore the serene beauty of West Lake on an immersive day tour that unveils its hidden side. This unique experience takes you along tranquil waterways, where you’ll glide through reed-lined channels and discover paths shaped by local life. Begin with a refreshing boat ride, followed by a leisurely walk through the area's green spaces, allowing you to connect with the culture steeped in this picturesque landscape. Your day concludes at a local tea house, where you would enjoy fine Long Jing green tea and a cultural tea ceremony Highlights: • Glide through Wugui Tan on a traditional hand-row boat — a reed-lined waterway most visitors never find • Walk through Maojiabu, one of the quietest corners of West Lake, where local life and cultural sites unfolds away from the main tourist circuit • Finish at a private teahouse for some authentic Westlake Long Jing Tea and a traditional cultural tea ceremony
Tour Options
Itinerary
Glide through the quiet waterways of Wugui Tan by traditional hand-row boat. Surrounded by reeds, low bridges, and tree-lined banks, this hidden section of West Lake offers a calm, intimate atmosphere far from the main tourist routes, revealing a more local and tranquil side of the landscape.
The boat ride continues
Continue on foot through Maojiabu Scenic Area, one of the quietest parts of West Lake. Follow shaded paths along the water, passing through wetlands and tree-lined trails where local life unfolds at a slower pace. The experience concludes at a nearby teahouse, where you’ll enjoy a traditional tea session with light snacks in a peaceful setting.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(9)
One of the most memorable experiences in Hangzhou. Exploring West Lake beyond the usual tourist spots, discovering hidden gems, local stories, and centuries of history. It reminded me that sometimes the most beautiful places are the ones not found in guidebooks. ✨
I had the pleasure of experiencing Hangzhou for the first time with my guide Vi. The experience she gave felt intimate and meaningful, you can tell in how the tour was guided the intention behind it is deeply passionate and one filled with love for the city. As for activity wise the scenic view of the lake and the walking in the park truly made you appreciate the beauty and rich culture of Hangzhou. I would absolutely recommend this tour for any newcomer to Hangzhou looking to learn more and see some of the beauty of Hangzhou!
I really enjoyed my experience here, and the guide we had was amazing, we got to see all the places we wanted without a hustle, everything was already planned and taken care of. Felt like a VIP treat😂loved it.
Very cool tour to get a deeper understanding of Hangzhou outside of the tourist attractions. The guide spoke very good English and was very knowledgeable in the local history. Go here if you want something that is more off the beaten path.
It’s an enjoyable experience with nice west lake view. If u wanna stay away from the crowds, u could try this trip . I love the boat sightseeing , with gentle breeze from the lake and lots of cute animals. Gain new knowledge from the trip😁
Excellent tour around the lake and around the beautiful residence of an old famous actor from the region, very insightful and engaging guides and a fun little activity to keep you on your toes. Highly recommend
A lovely experience. It was a side of west lake that I didn’t know existed. The tour was informative, with an interesting history to explore.
Had a relaxing and informative tour with Vi and Steven. It was wonderful exploring Hangzhou, especially West Lake, without the usual crowds. They were friendly, knowledgeable, and made the experience smooth and enjoyable. Great job, and wishing you both continued success and good luck! And thank you for the gift!
Incredible tour, absolutely well worth the money if not a deal for the experience. The tour guide, Vi, was very hospitable, kind, and knowledgeable, answering every question I had. It felt like such a friendly environment with the owners being very kind and doing what they could to make it as relaxed and welcoming an environment as possible. I learned a lot on this tour without feeling like it was a lecture or like other tours where it felt like they were trying to hit their talking points. I didn’t even realize how long the tour was until it was done because I was so engaged that I was only using my phone for pictures. Would definitely recommend.
