Cycle the West Lake Loop
A 12-km clockwise loop around West Lake's southern causeways and Beishan Street, dodges crowds with sunrise starts.
Written and signed by Alex ChuWhat it actually is
A 12-km clockwise loop along West Lake's southern causeways and Beishan Street, best at sunrise or late afternoon to beat tour-bus crowds. The route hugs a tree-shaded cycle path past the Qian Wang Ancestral Hall, Leifeng Tower (a 2002 replica of a Song-era pagoda), Beishan Street's Republic-era mansions, and the Yue Fei Temple.
Editor's take
An ideal first-day Hangzhou activity for first-time visitors — low cost, low risk, and a quick way to read the lake's geography before exploring deeper. Best for travelers comfortable on a bike who can rise early; skip if you dislike crowds even at off-peak or cannot ride on rolling terrain.
Essentials
Good to know
West Lake Clockwise Cycling Loop
Start at Longxiangqiao Metro Exit C on Line 1 and ride clockwise along the south shore via Nanshan Road and Yanggong Dike to Beishan Street, then loop back via the north shore to Hubin Yintai in77. The southern half hugs the lake on a tree-shaded path, while the northern half passes Republic-era mansions and the Yue Fei Temple. Plan a sunrise start for empty lanes and golden light, or a 4 PM start for the blue-hour crowd. Recommended start: 06:00
- 1
Longxiangqiao Metro Station (Line 1)· 10 minutes (unlock bike)
Line 1 metro hub two minutes from the lake; pick up a public Hangzhou red bike (free first hour) or any shared bike from the racks outside Exit C.
Metro Line 1 from city center; bike racks outside Exit C.
- 2
Hubin Park and Qian Wang Ancestral Hall· 30 minutes (lakefront stroll)
Imperial-era wharf on the south-east corner with the Qian Wang Ancestral Hall stone arch framing Leifeng Tower across the water.
Bike 700 m south along Hubin Road.
- 3
Nanshan Road and Leifeng Tower· 20 minutes (Leifeng Tower viewpoint)
Tree-shaded boulevard along the south shore with the modern Leifeng Tower replica framed by a panoramic view of West Lake.
Bike 2.5 km west on Nanshan Road; flat lakeside path.
- 4
Yanggong Dike and Guo Zhuang· 25 minutes (causeway ride)
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) causeway with six arched bridges; rolling terrain with plane-tree shade. Disembark at Guo Zhuang for the classical garden.
Bike 3 km north on Yanggong Dike; expect five short climbs.
- 5
Beishan Street and Yue Fei Temple· 35 minutes (Republic-era mansions)
Lakeside lane lined with 1930s villas and the Yue Fei Temple, a Song Dynasty (960-1279) shrine to a 12th-century general revered for his loyalty.
Bike 2.5 km east on Beishan Street; flat shaded path.
- 6
Hubin Yintai in77 return· 20 minutes (finish loop)
Modern shopping complex on the former imperial wharf; lock the bike at the public dock and refuel at the food court.
Bike 1.5 km south on Hubin Road; lock bike at public dock.
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Yue Fei Temple on Beishan Street
The Yue Fei Temple (1103-1142 AD, a Southern Song Dynasty (960-1279) general whose bronze statue stands inside the gate) anchors the northern half of the ride, set behind the tombs of the Song-era (960-1279) loyalist and his son. The temple's heavy-eaved halls and stone archways feel like a quieter counterpoint to the busy lakeshore path just outside.
Yanggong Dike's six Ming-era bridges
Yanggong Dike (built 1508-1521 AD during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) under Governor Yang Mengying) is the lesser-known southern causeway, with six stone-arch bridges strung between lotus-filled inlets and plane-tree shade. Riding west to east you'll cross five short climbs, rewarded by an unbroken view of Leifeng Tower and the city skyline.
Public red bike, free first hour
Hangzhou's public red-bike system (HelloRide / Gongjijin App) unlocks free for the first 60 minutes at hundreds of docks along the route, with every subsequent half-hour billed. Tourist passes are available at Longxiangqiao and Fengqi Road docks; avoid the small 'no-parking' core zones near Leifeng Tower and Yue Fei Temple, where sudden schedule-fee deductions hit out-of-towners.