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April 13, 2016

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Home » City specials » Hangzhou

Touring Xiaoying Islet by boat and gondola

By Xu Wenwen | April 13, 2016, Wednesday | Print Edition

BOATING traditionally is one of the most popular ways to tour the West Lake, and to float on the serene water is a joy for the body and the mind. Feel the spring breeze that strokes your face, look at the green landscape around you and fill your lungs with the fresh air.

Today Shanghai Daily shows you where to take what kind of boat. We suggest tourists to walk or rent public bike around the lake and go boating when they encounter a pier. The orange public bike can be returned at many spots around the lake. Volunteers are ready to help you. 300 yuan (US$46.39) is charged as deposit, and the first hour is free.

Five types of boats can be hired on the West Lake.

 

1. Fancy antique-style boat

It takes tourists from the dock to Xiaoying Islet. Afterward, tourists can choose any large boat to go to any other pier around the lake. It costs 70 yuan per person, ticket to Xiaoying Islet is included. Tickets of day cruise is sold from 8am to 4pm every day. Night cruise is only available from May to October.

• Pier at Second Lakeside Park

Tel: (0571) 8706-3514

• Pier at Fifth Lakeside Park

Tel: (0571) 8702-8153

 

2. Simple antique-style boat

This boat takes tourists from the dock to the island, and after visiting the island tourists can choose one of the large boats to go to any other dock around the lake. It costs 55 yuan per person, ticket to Xiaoying Islet is included.

• Pier at First Lakeside Park

Tel: (0571) 8703-5619

• Pier at Children’s Palace

Tel: (0571) 8706-8226

• Pier at Zhongshan Park

Tel: (0571) 8796-7598

• Pier at Shangri-La Hotel, Hangzhou

Tel: (0571) 8797-8187

• Pier at Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor

Tel: (0571) 8798-6472

• Pier at Qianwang Temple

Tel: (0571) 8706-8224

3. Rowing boat and sculling boat

Hangzhou’s Gondola — a rowing boat and operated by a boatman is the most expensive but also the most traditional way to get around the lake.

The rowing boat costs 150 yuan per hour, while the sculling one is priced at 180 yuan per hour. The rowing boat can fit six passengers at most, while the sculling can fit 11 at most.

Passengers can ask the boatman to go to different docks. Tickets to the islet are not included. There are 29 piers of rowing boats and sculling boats.

 

4. Rowing boat with five seats

Rent a boat and row it by yourself! It’s fun, but remember that you won’t be able to go too far. It costs 30 yuan for an hour and 15 yuan for every half hour after that. 300 yuan for deposit.

• Pier at Sixth Lakeside Park

Tel: (0571) 8702-6538

 

5. Automatic boat

Automatic boats come with a shield that protects people from the sunshine. Driving the boat is like driving a car put into reverse. It costs 20 yuan per half an hour for four-seat boat; and 25 yuan per half an hour for six-seat boat.

• Pier at Broken Bridge

Tel: (0571) 8796-7737

Hangzhou


 

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