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Exploring West Lake in autumn
By Shi Xiaohan and Xu Wenwen |
September 14, 2011, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
AUTUMN is the perfect season to explore beautiful West Lake and the surrounding picturesque areas and historic structures. The weather is cooler and it's ideal for hiking, biking or jogging.
West Lake has been designated a World Landscape and Cultural Heritage by UNESCO and you can see why.
Shanghai Daily picks out a few picturesque routes requiring varying levels of intensity, so you can relax, enjoy the sites, soak up the culture and get a light or heavy workout. Or just take it easy.
Leisure route
Children's Palace – Bai Causeway – Su Causeway – Nanshan Road – No. 6 Park
Distance: 9.5km
Intensity:
The two causeways are the highlights of the route. With the causeways as shortcuts and minimum ups and downs, you can get a sweeping view in a relatively easy manner. Cycling along, you can enjoy the West Lake on both sides of the road.
The causeways are off-limits to automobiles but cyclist need to watch out for the many pedestrians along the way.
Circling the lake
Children's Palace – Beishan Road – Yanggong Causeway – Leifeng Pagoda – Nanshan Road – No. 6 Park
Distance: 11km
Intensity:
Circling the lake, on foot or on bicycle, is a good way to appreciate the large size of the lake as well as its mysterious beauty.
There are hidden attractions to be discovered in coves, inlets and along shady banks.
There are many interesting bridges and historic structures along the way.
There aren't as many walkers and bicyclists on this route as on the leisure route with its causeway shortcuts.
Classical route
Children's Palace – Beishan Road – Yanggong Causeway – Longjingzhi Road – go straight until you reach Longjing Mountain – back to Children's Palace.
Distance: 10km
Intensity:
This route is the most classical because it features inclines and mountain passes. The most difficult part is Longjingzhi Road due to the steep grade. Watch out for traffic and take some insect repellent to keep mosquitoes away.
Route for training
Children's Palace – Beishan Road – Yanggong Causeway – Longjingzhi Road – turn right at the crossing to Meiling Rd N. – entrance of Meiling Tunnel – back to Children's Palace.
Distance: 12km
Intensity:
The route is longer than the classical route but the gradient is a little easier than that one. You can also combine the classical route and this one by turning left to Jiqing Mountain Tunnel at the entrance of Meiling Tunnel, then take Longjingzhi Road and head to the Children's Palace via Beishan Road.
Big Route
Route for training – go west to Meiling Road S. – go south to Zhijiang Road – go along Jiuxi (Nine Streams) – Yangmei Hill – Longjing Mountain.
Distance: 36km
Intensity:
Short route
For those looking for a short trips, here's one: Start at Hangzhou West Coach Station and take Tianmushan Road that goes along Xixi Wetland, from Grand Canal Museum to Xiaohezhi Street, and ride along Qiantang River in Binjiang District.
Tips:
For routes on inclines, mountain bikes with good transmission, brakes and mud guards are recommended. You can bike during the day and evening, but safety is important. Here's some basic equipment.
? Gloves and helmet.
? First-aid kit - at least disinfectant and bandages - since some routes are less traveled and there are no handy pharmacies.
? Headlights and taillights are essential at night. Headlights cost from 100 yuan (US$15.6) to 200 yuan, a tailight costs around 100 yuan.
West Lake has been designated a World Landscape and Cultural Heritage by UNESCO and you can see why.
Shanghai Daily picks out a few picturesque routes requiring varying levels of intensity, so you can relax, enjoy the sites, soak up the culture and get a light or heavy workout. Or just take it easy.
Leisure route
Children's Palace – Bai Causeway – Su Causeway – Nanshan Road – No. 6 Park
Distance: 9.5km
Intensity:
The two causeways are the highlights of the route. With the causeways as shortcuts and minimum ups and downs, you can get a sweeping view in a relatively easy manner. Cycling along, you can enjoy the West Lake on both sides of the road.
The causeways are off-limits to automobiles but cyclist need to watch out for the many pedestrians along the way.
Circling the lake
Children's Palace – Beishan Road – Yanggong Causeway – Leifeng Pagoda – Nanshan Road – No. 6 Park
Distance: 11km
Intensity:
Circling the lake, on foot or on bicycle, is a good way to appreciate the large size of the lake as well as its mysterious beauty.
There are hidden attractions to be discovered in coves, inlets and along shady banks.
There are many interesting bridges and historic structures along the way.
There aren't as many walkers and bicyclists on this route as on the leisure route with its causeway shortcuts.
Classical route
Children's Palace – Beishan Road – Yanggong Causeway – Longjingzhi Road – go straight until you reach Longjing Mountain – back to Children's Palace.
Distance: 10km
Intensity:
This route is the most classical because it features inclines and mountain passes. The most difficult part is Longjingzhi Road due to the steep grade. Watch out for traffic and take some insect repellent to keep mosquitoes away.
Route for training
Children's Palace – Beishan Road – Yanggong Causeway – Longjingzhi Road – turn right at the crossing to Meiling Rd N. – entrance of Meiling Tunnel – back to Children's Palace.
Distance: 12km
Intensity:
The route is longer than the classical route but the gradient is a little easier than that one. You can also combine the classical route and this one by turning left to Jiqing Mountain Tunnel at the entrance of Meiling Tunnel, then take Longjingzhi Road and head to the Children's Palace via Beishan Road.
Big Route
Route for training – go west to Meiling Road S. – go south to Zhijiang Road – go along Jiuxi (Nine Streams) – Yangmei Hill – Longjing Mountain.
Distance: 36km
Intensity:
Short route
For those looking for a short trips, here's one: Start at Hangzhou West Coach Station and take Tianmushan Road that goes along Xixi Wetland, from Grand Canal Museum to Xiaohezhi Street, and ride along Qiantang River in Binjiang District.
Tips:
For routes on inclines, mountain bikes with good transmission, brakes and mud guards are recommended. You can bike during the day and evening, but safety is important. Here's some basic equipment.
? Gloves and helmet.
? First-aid kit - at least disinfectant and bandages - since some routes are less traveled and there are no handy pharmacies.
? Headlights and taillights are essential at night. Headlights cost from 100 yuan (US$15.6) to 200 yuan, a tailight costs around 100 yuan.
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