Maojiabu Village

Since last November, I have written dozens of guides on Hangzhou, which has given me a deeper understanding of the city. I visited dozens of attractions and discovered some less popular ones. 1 Xia Man Jue Long - Tang House Hidden in the mountains around West Lake, this mysterious ancient house is reminiscent of the scenes in 'Spirited Away'. The peculiar wooden house situated in a tea plantation is intriguing in itself. 2 Maojiabu - Dyeing Sky High A less frequented scenic spot by West Lake, mainly because it is not near the IN77 shopping district and is a bit far from the city center. 80% of tourists do not come here, yet it is the starting point of the ancient path that the ancients took to Lingyin Temple to offer incense. Address: Maojiabu - Dyeing Sky High scenic spot Changqiao Park (where you can capture the 'Leifeng Sunset Glow' scene) For those without a camera, Changqiao Park is the best place to capture the Leifeng Pagoda. Around 6-7 pm in summer, you can capture the scene where the sun only shines on one side of the Leifeng Pagoda just before sunset, and you can even capture both the Leifeng Pagoda and the sun in the same frame. This is the famous 'Leifeng Sunset Glow'.

The water lilies of West Lake have awakened, blossoming in the lake waters in the late spring. In the waters of Maojiabu, where spring is not yet old, the blooming is like the Monet's garden in the paintings. Here lies a unique natural scenery and a rich cultural atmosphere. At the turn of spring and summer, this place becomes a lesser-known fairyland, where the beauty of Xizi, suitable for both heavy and light makeup, comes to life before your eyes, and Maojiabu's wild charm retains a genuine simplicity. And those water lilies attract countless photography enthusiasts and tourists every year, comparable to Monet's water lily garden. If you are looking for a secluded fairyland with few people, Maojiabu would definitely be the first place that comes to mind. In the green fields, there are ancient bridges, which connect to ancient paths, and at the end is a village with the color of fireworks. Taking a hand-rowed boat is even more like entering a fairyland. 🗺️Route You can choose to walk or take a boat. Walking 2-3 kilometers is very comfortable, while taking a boat leisurely for 1-1.5 hours is recommended (boat is recommended) 1️⃣Hand-rowed boat: 150 yuan/hour, seats 6 2️⃣Paddle boat: 180 yuan/hour, seats 11 🏔Green Fields and Ancient Bridges In the forest, you can hear the calls of wild ducks and waterbirds everywhere, the breeze from the lake is very cool, and the wooden bridge feels very textured underfoot. Pilgrims from afar land here. 🏔Incense-Bearing Ancient Path There is an incense-bearing ancient path that leads to Lingyin Temple. This place is full of life, with houses that are quaint and charming, making it a good place to rest and eat. 🚣‍♂️Jiangnan Boat Rowing Taking a hand-rowed boat tour of Maojiabu is the essence. Avoiding the crowds and drifting through, lazily enjoying the breeze, and also seeing the water lilies, is truly wonderful! 🏔Lake and Mountain Scenery From Maojiabu, you can see both the South and North Peaks, and the Dai-colored pavilions and Yujian Bridge are the best spots for viewing the mountains and lake. Don't miss the beautiful sunset recently. 📍Location: Maojiabu 🚙Transportation: Take the bus to 'Guozhuang' station, walk 50 meters to Wolong Bridge, near the lake is the boat point, and on the other side is the walking entrance; for self-driving, nearby parking is 10-20 yuan/hour 🎫Ticket: Free

1 Taiziwan One of the mainstream West Lake scenic spots in Hangzhou, undoubtedly beautiful, but there are indeed many people, especially those taking pictures! It is recommended to arrive at 7 o'clock to appreciate the morning mist 🎫: Free P: Taiziwan West Gate Parking Lot (there are more parking spaces there) 2 Huagang Guanyu Because many scenic spots in Hangzhou can feed fish, so I didn't specifically go to the red fish pond. I quickly ate this glowing pancake when the traffic light was red. I personally love the Binhu Corridor, looking at the small South Lake and the distant mountains, each frame is like a scene in a painting 🎫: Free P: Huagang Park Parking Lot (at the entrance of Zhiweiguan Weizhuang) 3 Yu Hu Bay Compared with other scenic spots in West Lake, there are not many people here, but it is this low-key hidden in the city, if you have more time, you can go to Turtle Pond, or take a hand-rowed boat on the Turtle Pond route, which is incredibly beautiful 🎫: Free P: Chishanbu Parking Lot 4 Maojiabu There are few people here like the West Lake scenic spot, basically all are locals in Hangzhou, there are no particularly eye-catching check-in points, and no golden positions, but there is more aimless comfort 🎫: Free P: Xia Maojiabu Parking Lot 5 Guozhuang You can walk all the way from Maojiabu to Guozhuang, a small and beautiful private garden of the Qing Dynasty, to appreciate the popular Red Maple King 🎫: 10 yuan (free for park annual card) 6 Quyuan Fenghe Go for a battery boat (you have to drive it yourself) The battery boat ticket price is very conscientious, 30 yuan for half an hour, can sit 4 people, it is a different feeling to appreciate the beautiful scenery on the lake 🎫: Free P: You can walk directly from Guozhuang (Gate 4), if you enter from the north, you can park in the Yue Temple Parking Lot

Avoiding the travel peak of May Day, I took my parents on a trip to Hangzhou. Considering their age, I didn't plan the itinerary too strictly; we just went wherever we felt like. We strolled through Maojiabu, took a boat tour around the West Lake, and also visited Longjing Village, which is full of Longjing tea plantations. In May, Hangzhou is filled with greenery as far as the eye can see, presenting a picturesque scenery.

🌸Spring is warm, everything is reviving, and the greenery is lush🍃 Hangzhou's beauty is far more than just the West Lake🍃 Various large and small free scenic spots Really the ceiling of domestic travel‼️ - I've compiled 1⃣️3⃣️ places suitable for spring visits, all very much like a green fairyland🍃 - 1⃣️Shili Langdang From the "Shili Langdang" archway in Longjing Village, you can overlook the tea mountains and West Lake, with tender greenery before Qingming Festival. 2⃣️Jiuxi 18 Gullies A small forest in the city, with streams and green forests along the way, suitable for oxygen-absorbing hiking, very comfortable to walk. 3⃣️Hupao Park A niche park, a green secret realm, where you can bring an empty bottle to fill up with authentic Hupao spring water. 4⃣️Gushan Although it is in the core area of West Lake, it is quiet amidst the hustle and bustle. Enter from "Zhongshan Park" to experience the secret realm of West Lake. 5⃣️Maojiabu Belongs to the inner West Lake, not too crowded, with February orchids blooming in spring, stunningly beautiful. 6⃣️Yuhu Bay Walk from "Yuhu Bay" to "Santai Mountain", with beautiful scenery all the way, especially when the late cherry blossoms bloom in early April. 7⃣️Majia Dock A newly popular viewing platform, where you can overlook West Lake with a great view. 8⃣️Luniao Town Hangzhou's backyard, with beautiful mountains and clear waters, various waterfalls, suitable for playing in the water in April and May. 9⃣️Hangzhou Flower Nursery This park is really not crowded, but it's big and nice to stroll around, and it's free. 1⃣️0⃣️Prince Bay Park The tulips have recently bloomed, colorful and bright. If you want to go, please get up early, otherwise, it's very crowded during the day. 1⃣️1⃣️Wansong Academy Navigate to "White Snake's Flight", which is the famous aerial corridor. The place is not big, but it's great for taking photos. 1⃣️2⃣️Yunsong Book Residence Mr. Jin Yong's former residence, next to the botanical garden, not many people know about it, with cherry blossoms blooming along the water in spring, very beautiful. 1⃣️3⃣️Liulang Wenying Navigate to "Xinhenghe Bridge", the green fairyland under the bridge tunnel, an absolutely beautiful photo spot. - Hangzhou's beauty is endless, this time I've listed a dozen places to start the conversation, hoping not to let down this beautiful spring. ❤️I hope you can experience the most beautiful spring in Hangzhou🌸 -

After the rain, the West Lake tea gardens are like ink paintings, with the egrets in the lake resembling natural actors, as if in a dreamlike Jiangnan blockbuster. We are like the audience, with cameras as the best recorders. 🌧️ The West Lake Longjing picking season after Qingming Taking advantage of the interval after Qingming, the West Lake Longjing picking season is accompanied by a soft and fine rain, with mist swirling around the tea mountains, green grass, and trees, along with the sounds of birds, rain, and water, far from the hustle and bustle of the city, tranquil. The aroma of tea and the scent of greenery, going out for a spring outing is really healing. 🚶‍♂️ Spring outing route recommendations - Maojiabu: Hangzhou's green fairyland, near West Lake, tea gardens, tranquil. - Meiling North Road: A quiet Zen-like path, with small bridges over flowing water, temple bells, a coffee break along the way, and a visit to Faxi Temple. - Tianzhu Road: A quiet Zen-like path, with small bridges over flowing water, temple bells, a coffee break along the way, and a visit to Faxi Temple. - Meiling South Road: Meijiawu, a traditional place for tea drinking, with tea mountains on both sides of the road, mist swirling around, and busy tea workers, especially healing. - Yunqi Bamboo Path: The solitary Tree Pavilion, all surrounded by greenery

Recommend a quiet and secluded spot, where there is an ancient bridge, the Daisi Sky Pavilion which is one of the West Lake's calling cards, a water path with grass taller than a person, and a large area of pebble shallows. It's a place where you can bring children to catch fish and shrimp for fun. This is the 'hidden gem' of West Lake, the Maojiabu Scenic Area. The origin of the name 'Maojiabu' is recorded in 'The Old Events of Wulin'. In ancient times, most of the residents here with the surname Mao mainly engaged in tea picking and sericulture, hence the name. Another theory is that during the Ming and Qing dynasties, the village entrance was covered with thatch, which was wild and interesting, and thus got its name. In the past, this place was bustling with merchants, but now it has become a rare quiet place by West Lake.

Far away, the hazy mountain colors of indigo; before your eyes, the glittering waves shimmer. The scenery here is identical to that of the West Lake, equally elegant and charming. It is the inner lake of the West Lake—the West Inner Lake. However, compared to the West Lake, which is also located in the Hangzhou West Lake Scenic Area, this place has less of the hustle and bustle of the bustling city and more of the tranquility and rustic charm of the fertile countryside. During the day, one can see the vast expanse of West Inner Lake with scattered sail shadows and low-flying water birds; at night, the lotus pond under the moonlight is quietly beautiful. The charming lake and mountain scenery is the 'Garden of Eden' that people in this world most envy and yearn for. In fact, in today's world of rapidly advancing technology and fast-paced society, what people hope for and long for is this kind of tranquil realm where they can 'steal a day of leisure and let nature fly'. Maojiabu, this dazzling pearl set in the West Inner Lake, is located on its northwest shore. Maojiabu, an ancient water town, has a long history that can be traced back to the late Song and early Yuan dynasties. Maojiabu, also known as Mao's Wharf. According to the 'Old Events of Wulin' written by the Song dynasty scholar Zhou Mi, the name of Maojiabu originates from the Mao family village by the West Inner Lake, where the villagers are all descendants of the Mao family, who have lived here since the Song dynasty. They have lived a pastoral life that is the envy of the world, growing tea and raising silkworms, and living a simple life with plain tea and meals. Maojiabu, with its willows swaying on the shore and reeds fluttering, is shaded by greenery and full of wild charm. Scattered throughout the scenic area are quaint sights such as the Xiang Ancient Path, Tongli Ancient Bridge, Wufeng Thatched Cottage, plank roads and bridges, and reed huts. It is worth mentioning that the Xiang Ancient Path in the Maojiabu scenic area was the necessary route for pilgrims who landed at Maojiabu to go to the three temples of Tianzhu south of Feilai Peak or the various Buddhist temples of Lingyin north of Feilai Peak in ancient times. The ancient Xiang Ancient Path was muddy and rugged, sometimes overgrown with weeds and sometimes paved with cobblestones. In the late 1940s, after the Lingyin temples were connected by road, this long-standing 'Xiang Ancient Path' gradually became desolate and silent. Today, the Xiang Ancient Path specifically refers to the rural road from Yanggong Dike to Maojiabu, which is also a scenic route for visitors to Maojiabu. As the main scenic part of the Maojiabu scenic area, the scenery along the way is pleasant, and it can be said that 'every step changes the view, and every glance is a scene'. Along the riverbank of Maojiabu, there are many farm-style restaurants with simple and unique designs, nestled in the dense shade of trees, reminiscent of the 'Oshino Hakkai' at the foot of Mount Fuji in Japan. The meals here are varied and casual, with something to suit everyone. After wandering around the Maojiabu scenic area, take a break at a riverside restaurant, order a few dishes of farmhouse cuisine, and perhaps some beer, and you'll find it extremely pleasant. Su Dongpo, a great literary figure of the Northern Song Dynasty, has a well-known verse that goes, 'I would compare the West Lake to Xi Shi, for whether lightly or heavily adorned, she is always alluring.' The 'lightly or heavily adorned' here actually has a specific reference: if the West Lake is the heavily adorned beauty, then the West Inner Lake, as part of the greater West Lake area, is the lightly adorned beauty. And Maojiabu, located on the shore of the West Inner Lake, is even more a prime tourist area that combines beautiful lake and mountain scenery, wild charm, and natural beauty.

🌸 Enjoy the cherry blossoms in Hangzhou's spring and encounter the romantic cherry blossom season Spring is coming, and Hangzhou's cherry blossom season is about to bloom, with the entire city seemingly enveloped in a romantic atmosphere. 🌸 Blooming Period - Blooming period: Mid-March to early April is the best time to enjoy cherry blossoms in Hangzhou. 🌸 Popular Cherry Blossom Spots - Quyuan Fenghe: Cherry blossoms complement the ancient architecture, presenting the stunning beauty of spring in the Jiangnan region. - Maojiabu: A lesser-known secret spot where February orchids and cherry blossoms shine together. - Children's Park: Under the cherry trees, it's easy to take photos with a Japanese vibe. 🌸 Private Cherry Blossom Spots - Liangzhu Overhead: Night cherry blossom avenue, a healing scene under the blues. - Manao Temple: A niche check-in spot by the West Lake, where cherry blossom rain is breathtakingly beautiful. - Prince Bay Park: A sea of tulips and cherry blossoms in the same frame, away from the crowds. 🌸 Hidden Cherry Blossom Spots - Tea Museum: Cherry blossoms, thatched cottages, and flowing water create an overwhelmingly beautiful scene. - White Pagoda Park: Trains and cherry blossoms, passing through the romance of spring. - Turtle Pond: A spring oil painting, a perfect encounter between boats and cherry blossoms. - Yun Song Book House: Mr. Jin Yong's private residence, a beautiful scene at every step, with cherry blossoms by the water. 🌸 Travel Tips - Transportation advice: Take the bus or cycle for convenient travel. - Travel planning: Plan ahead for better photo opportunities on good weather days. - Opening hours: Pay attention to the opening hours of attractions to arrange your itinerary reasonably.

After falling in love with Hangzhou, I settled here without any hesitation. Time flies, and it has been seven years already. Every spring, we must visit a super beautiful and excellent route for a spring outing. For friends who visit from other places, this is also the route I recommend to them. After trying it, they all give it consistently high praise. 👇🏻This route includes almost all the beautiful scenery of West Lake: 🚏➡️Guo's Villa➡️Maojiabu➡️Turtle Pool➡️Santaiyunshui➡️Flower Harbor➡️Bathing Tiger Spring➡️Prince Bay Park ➡️Guo's Villa: A super beautiful southern garden, where you can experience the charm of the Song Dynasty. The magnolias are blooming beautifully at this time. ➡️Maojiabu: This is Hangzhou's 'Spring Warmth and Scenic Brightness,' a hidden green wonderland of West Lake, quiet and serene, where you can feel the breath of spring. ➡️Turtle Pool: Rowing through it feels like entering a fairyland, with the clear pool water rippling away, truly unique to West Lake. Near Yanggong Dike, there are many beautiful February orchids. ➡️Flower Harbor: A great place in Hangzhou to enjoy cherry blossoms, with magnolias also blooming profusely, especially suitable for Hanfu photography. ➡️Bathing Tiger Spring: The Jihong Bridge passes through the lake water, very unique, and this place is less crowded and exquisite. ➡️Prince Bay Park: This is a world of tulips, as beautiful as a Monet painting. ⏰The entire duration of this route is about 5 hours. ⚠️Before setting out, remember to prepare some snacks that children like to stave off hunger. They can eat them in the car when hungry and replenish energy when tired. ⚠️For those with less physical strength, you can take your time and still have a lot to gain by the end of the day. ⚠️During the tulip season in Prince Bay Park, it can get crowded, so remember to book in advance through the 'West Lake in Hand' app. 📢Some necessary reminders: 1️⃣Where to take a taxi to? I usually take the subway to Longxiangqiao and then take a taxi to Quyuanfenghe or Guo's Villa. Of course, you can go in the opposite direction or to any station in between. 2️⃣Is there a sightseeing bus? There is no sightseeing bus for this route; you can only rely on walking. Therefore, it is specifically mentioned in the article that those with less physical strength can consider reducing the itinerary. Walking tours can be physically demanding, so be sure to bring some food to replenish energy. I usually carry eggs, quail eggs, and roasted chicken wings with me. I keep some in the car and eat whenever I want. They are also convenient to carry during the tour. 3️⃣Is it already so beautiful recently? Yes, from late March to mid-April, you can generally see such beautiful scenery, but the feeling on sunny days and on cloudy or rainy days is different. Hangzhou has been rainy recently, so please decide whether to go or not based on your own preferences. 4️⃣Can I ride a bike around? Yes, but you cannot enter individual scenic spots with a bicycle; you have to leave it at the entrance of the spot. You can push a stroller, but the distance is quite long, so it is not recommended.

❤️Recommendation reasons: The tulips have really bloomed! But only thirty percent! The most spectacular patch is still seedlings🌱 If you're not in a hurry, you can wait a bit longer, it is expected to take another 1-2 weeks to reach the peak! The weather has warmed up recently, and the tulips🌷 change every day I still prefer them when they are about to bloom By the time they are in full bloom, they are not far from withering The area by the lakeside plank road is blooming the best right now! The 2 cherry blossom trees🌸 next to the big windmill have also bloomed, super beautiful After watching, it's recommended to go to Maojiabu for a stroll, a huge sea of February orchid flowers 🗓Itinerary: Route: Taiziwan Park (see tulips, pink cherry blossoms) → Flower Harbor to see fish (see magnolia flowers, exit from the east gate) → Bapanling Road-Santaishan Road → Maojiabu (see February orchids) Location: Taiziwan Park (enter from the west gate) Tulip Flower Show: March 8 - April 14 Tickets: Free, reservation for the same day and the next day is possible, Be sure to make a reservation in advance! Reserve on 'Palm West Lake', up to 3 tickets🎫 can be reserved at a time It will definitely be congested during the flower show, don't drive there! 🚉Transportation Strategy: 🚌Bus lines 4/1314/139/31 etc. to 'Chishanbu' You can also take the flower-viewing boat at Qianwang Temple Pier or Hangfan Pier Get off at Huagang Pier, and you can walk to Taiziwan across the street The boat ticket is 15 yuan, 5 yuan for Hangzhou residents with ID

The water lilies in Maojiabu have bloomed, and in the hearts of West Lake fans, they have a lovely name "Monet's Garden". Monet, as a famous Impressionist painter, made water lilies an important theme of his later works. What similarities of beauty exist between his water lilies and those by the West Lake? "The water lilies in Longhongjian have bloomed exceptionally early this year, and have now quietly opened," said a staff member of the Lingyin Management Office in the West Lake Scenic Area. By locating the Zhejiang Hotel bus stop and the Shang Maojiabu bus stop, one can find this "Monet's Garden". The tender water lilies stand erect in the middle of the water, with egrets circling and striding around occasionally, reflecting on the water surface, a mix of pink and white, stillness and motion, like a dreamlike illusion.