Hangzhou · Experience
West Lake Lanes of Hangzhou
A serene West Lake walking route threading Song-era alleys, classical gardens, and lakeside paths on foot or by shared bike.
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Hangzhou · Zhejiang · Place
Written and signed by Azalea4.7/5RatingFreeTicketAll day, year-roundOpening hours
Manjuelong Osmanthus Valley
Hangzhou's legendary sweet osmanthus valley where autumn rains carpet stone steps in gold.
Written and signed by AzaleaWhat it actually is
Manjuelong (Manlong Guiyu, 'Sweet Rain of Osmanthus') is a narrow wooded valley on West Lake's southern rim famous for thousands of osmanthus trees that bloom each autumn. Stone paths and temple steps turn gold when petals fall after rain, drawing photographers across Zhejiang. The route links Shiwu Cave, Tangwu, Baihe Peak, and Yangmeiling tea terraces in a single walkable loop.
Editor's take
AzaleaWritten and signed by
The verdict
Worth a dedicated morning in late September or early October. Pair with Longjing village or Nine Creeks for a fuller West Lake south day.
What's great
An osmanthus-filled valley that genuinely lives up to its nickname Manlong Guiyu ('Sweet Rain of Osmanthus').
Mix of karst caves, tea terraces, and a hilltop view of West Lake in one short loop is rare.
Worth knowing
Peak bloom crowds jam the lower road.
Almost no English signage on the upper trail.
A half-day visit feels rushed.
Grounded in 53+ traveller reviews. Distilled by our editors from traveller reviews on Xiaohongshu and Douyin.
Essentials
Opening hoursAll day, year-round
TicketFree
Contact18413259407;19012809800
Rating4.7/5
Good to know
Free and open accessThe valley is a public scenic area with free entry year-round and no reservation required.
After rain is best
Skip driving
Try osmanthus snacks
Trending now
Shiwu Cave osmanthus lanterns
Qing-era karst cave (limestone landscape eroded by water) at the trailhead, decorated with osmanthus boughs and red 'gui' character lanterns that make the entrance glow even in daylight. Locals call it the year's most photographed spot.
Sweet Rain stone steps
Manlong Guiyu ('Sweet Rain of Osmanthus') is the nickname for the stone steps near Yangmeiling where fallen petals pool in drifts after a light shower. Walk slowly and listen for the soft crunch.
Tangwu, a Spirited Away lane
Slip into lane 75 in Lower Manjuelong and you emerge onto a tiled-roof teahouse framed by Longjing tea terraces (Shengcha, the prized early-spring green tea from West Lake hills) and bamboo, the same silhouette from the Ghibli film.
Tangwu, a Spirited Away lane
Slip into lane 75 in Lower Manjuelong and you emerge onto a tiled-roof teahouse framed by Longjing tea terraces (Shengcha, the prized early-spring green tea from West Lake hills) and bamboo, the same silhouette from the Ghibli film.
Getting there
metroLine 3 Huanglong Cave Exit B then bus 87 osmanthus express, about 35 min.
busBus 180 from Wulian (Line 19 Exit C) to Sijiaojing stop, about 40 min.
didiDidi recommended after 5 PM when buses thin out, about 25 min from West Lake.
bikeBike from West Lake south loop; parking limited at peak bloom, about 30 min.
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