South West Lake Cultural & Shaded Loop Hike

Begin at Taiziwan Park (太子湾公园 / Crown Prince Bay Park), a 1200-acre free park at the southwest corner of West Lake. The name originates from the Southern Song dynasty (12th–13th century) when this shallow bay was used as a temporary burial site (攒园) for two crown princes — Zhuangwen and Jingxian. The park was created in 1988 on what was then a dredging spoil ground for West Lake's annual sediment removal. Enter from the east gate on Nanshan Road. Follow the paved path westward through the park's three zones (east: Wangshan Ping lawn; central: Pipa Zhou raised terrace; west: Xiaoyao Po slope). The path runs beside a clear stream — part of the West Lake water diversion canal — crossed by small log bridges. Mature trees provide near-continuous shade. In late March–April, the park hosts a tulip festival with ~400,000 bulbs planted across 8,000 sq m, a tradition started in the 1990s. Outside tulip season, the park is a quiet green space popular with locals for picnics and wedding photos — the Dutch windmill and small chapel are favourite backdrops. Exit via the WEST GATE (not the main south/east gates), which opens directly onto the Yugu Bay path across the road.

Photo suggestion: Taiziwan Park's meandering stream and Dutch windmill — a shaded start with clear water and mature trees.

Cross the road from Taiziwan's West Gate and enter the Yugu Bay (浴鹄湾) path. Immediately the character shifts from open parkland to intimate lakeside — the path is framed by white-walled traditional architecture (粉墙黛瓦) with dark-tiled roofs and overhanging trees. Walk counterclockwise around the bay. Along the way you pass Huangmie Lou (黄篾楼), a traditional complex on the water's edge housing a teahouse — the only refreshment stop in the mid-section, serving tea and simple snacks. Continue past Wu Zhuangyuan Fang (武状元坊), a stone archway commemorating a Southern Song military examination champion (a rare distinction in a civil-exam-dominated era), and Zijiu Caotang (子久草堂), a cottage associated with the Yuan dynasty landscape painter Huang Gongwang. Reach Jihong Bridge (霁虹桥 / Rainbow Bridge), a covered langqiao-style bridge spanning the narrow neck of the bay. On calm days the reflection is perfectly symmetrical — this is the signature photographic spot of the entire inner West Lake. Best shot: early morning (before 9 am) for still water, or on overcast days for a misty, ink-wash atmosphere.

Photo suggestion: Jihong Bridge at Yugu Bay — the covered langqiao bridge with its iconic reflection in still water.

From Jihong Bridge, follow the path to Bapanling Road (八盘岭路), cross at the pedestrian crossing, and turn north onto Santai Mountain Road (三台山路). Walk approximately 300 metres along the roadside pavement (briefly exposed — the only section without canopy). A turn into Faxiang Lane (法相巷) leads to Huiyin Gaoli Temple (慧因高丽寺). The temple was founded in 927 CE by Qian Liu, founding king of the Wuyue Kingdom, as 'Huiyin Chan Monastery.' It gained its 'Goryeo' epithet in 1085, when the Korean prince Uicheon (义天) — fourth son of King Munjong of Goryeo — secretly sailed to China against his parents' wishes to study Huayan Buddhism under Master Jingyuan. Uicheon lived here for nearly a year, donated 1,700 scrolls of the Avatamsaka Sutra (which had been lost in China), and funded the construction of a sutra library. The temple thus became the 'First Mountain of Huayan' (华严第一山) and the centre of China–Korea Buddhist exchange for centuries. The temple was destroyed and rebuilt several times over its millennium; the current structure was reconstructed in 2007 based on a Ming-dynasty painting. The architecture is Song-style with Tang influences — yellow walls, black roof tiles, and minimalist interiors. The centrepiece is the Zhuanlunzang (转轮藏 / revolving sutra cabinet) in the Lunzang Hall — a 13.5-metre-tall octagonal structure made entirely of nanmu (楠木 / Phoebe zhennan), the largest of its kind in China. It is engraved with flying apsaras and celestial guardians and can be rotated — a tradition symbolising the turning of the Dharma wheel. The temple is free to enter (despite some outdated sources listing 20 RMB), open 08:30–16:30. It has no resident monks and does not burn incense — it operates as a cultural museum rather than an active monastery. Ming dynasty painter and calligrapher Zhao Mengfu (赵孟頫) was a frequent visitor and wrote the characters '传灯' (Passing the Lamp) on the east wall.

Photo suggestion: Gaoli Temple's 13.5-metre nanmu revolving sutra cabinet — the largest zhuanlunzang in China, housed in the Lunzang Hall.

Return to Santai Mountain Road and continue north for approximately 5 minutes. Yu Qian's Tomb (于谦墓) and the adjacent shrine complex are on the left (west) side of the road, clearly signposted. Yu Qian (1398–1457) was a Ming dynasty statesman and military commander who rose to prominence during the Tumu Crisis of 1449, when the Mongol Oirat leader Esen captured the Emperor Yingzong. Yu Qian, as Minister of War, rejected calls to flee south, declared 'the state is more important than the emperor,' and organised the defence of Beijing — a decisive victory that saved the Ming dynasty. He was executed five years later when the released emperor returned in a coup, and was posthumously rehabilitated in 1466. The site comprises two parts: the tomb itself — a circular brick mound with a marble tombstone inscribed '大明少保兼兵部尚书赠太傅谥忠肃于公墓' — and the shrine (于谦祠 / Jingong Shrine), built in 1489 and rebuilt in 1869. The shrine follows traditional Ming southern architecture: white walls, black tiles, and a three-hall layout. Inside, an exhibition covers Yu Qian's life and political career. A notable tradition is 'Yu Ci Qi Meng' (于祠祈梦 / Dream Prayer at Yu's Shrine) — since the Wanli era (1573–1620), students and locals have prayed here for prophetic dreams, a folk practice that persists today. Yu Qian is buried here alongside his parents and wife (originally seven graves, consolidated to one in 1982). The site was designated a National Heritage Site in 2006. Yu Qian is one of the 'Three Heroes of West Lake' (西湖三杰 / 西湖三贤), alongside Yue Fei (岳飞) and Zhang Cangshui (张苍水) — a trio of loyalists who gave their lives for their dynasties and are buried at the lake.

Photo suggestion: Yu Qian's Tomb — the Ming-style shrine and stone path leading to the circular brick tomb mound.

From Yu Qian's Tomb, return to Santai Mountain Road and walk south approximately 200 metres to the marked trail entrance for Wugui Tan (乌龟潭 / Turtle Pond). Turn into the lakeside path. Wugui Tan is a horseshoe-shaped bay surrounded by towering metasequoia (水杉) trees — the water is darker and the atmosphere noticeably more secluded than any previous section. The path passes Sanxian Pavilion (三贤亭 / Three Worthies Pavilion), Xishuang Pavilion (西爽亭), and the Yongquan spring (涌泉) — a natural stream crossing the trail via a small stone bridge. This section feels genuinely wild despite being within the urban park — the metasequoia trunks rise like pillars from the dark water, and you will likely spot egrets, ducks, and turtledoves. Wugui Tan is the finish point. From here, you can retrace your steps for a ~9 km round trip, or exit via Santai Mountain Road (200 metres walk) for bus connections. If continuing, the path north leads toward the Huagang GuanYu area (~1 km), connecting to the lixihu-hidden-gem-loop. Nearby, from Majiawan Pier (马家湾码头, approximately 600 metres north of Wugui Tan on the Yanggong Causeway side), you can hire a traditional rowing boat (摇橹船) for a ~1-hour loop through the inner West Lake waterways. The route passes through nine bridge arches (9个桥洞) and returns to Majiawan — a shady, silent ride through the metasequoia channels. Cost: approximately 150–180 RMB per boat (seats up to 6 people). Boats are available on a first-come basis — availability drops sharply after 3:30 pm.

Photo suggestion: Wugui Tan's dark water reflecting metasequoia trunks — a secluded finish that feels far from the city.