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The waterways and old houses of Xixi National Wetland Park in Hangzhou
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Xixi Wetland Travel Guide — the reeds, the waterways, the autumn snow and the dragon-boat festival

Xixi - the 'Triple Xi' of Hangzhou, the reeds that the film 'If You Are the One' called home - is the rare city wetland where the old riverine farming survives. The park's 55-hectare plant garden, the plum villages, the Qiu Xue (Autumn Snow) Nunnery, the Gao estate, the Hezhu Street and the dragon-boat festival of Shentankou fill a day of walking (3-4 hours) or boating (1.5 hours on the loop). The ticket is RMB 80 (online discounts RMB 15-20), with the boat rides extra; the transport, the hotels and the restaurants of Hangzhou serve the park from 20 minutes away. This guide carries the routes, the restaurants with their phones, the seasons and the practical numbers from the field guide.

Xixi WetlandXixi National Wetland ParkHangzhouAutumn Snow Nunnerydragon boatplum blossomwetland
Half to One DayThe boat loop takes 1.5 hours; the walking circuit 3-4 hours; a full day covers both
RMB 80The park ticket RMB 80 (online booking discounts RMB 15-20); the boats are extra
Four SeasonsPlum blossom in February-March, green in summer, reed 'snow' in autumn, quiet in winter
Free Booking HelpHotels, tickets & tours by our team
What's inside this guide Bucket List · Highlights · Q&A · Itineraries · Attractions · Activities · Where to Stay · Food · Getting Around · Shopping · Practical Info · Day Trips · Tips · Background · Plan Your Trip

Xixi Wetland Bucket Listthe reeds, the plum and the dragon boats

01

Boat the waterways

The boat loop of the park takes 1.5 hours - the channels, the reed beds and the villages from the water; the walking circuit takes 3-4 hours.

02

See the Autumn Snow

The Qiu Xue Nunnery on its island - the autumn reed 'snow' of the Eight Views of Xixi; the nunnery is the heart of the park.

03

Walk the plum villages

The Xixi Meishu and the Meizhu Villa - the plum blossom of February-March along the Southern Song imperial road.

04

Visit the Gao estate

The 1657-1664 estate of Gao Shiqi, the tutor of the Kangxi emperor - the halls, the gardens and the Kangxi stelae.

05

Row the dragon boats

The Shentankou dragon-boat festival of the Dragon Boat Festival - the 'dragon boats' of Xixi race under the three ancient camphor trees.

06

Drink the Xixi tea

The Hezhu Street tea - the locals say it is 'ten times better than Longjing'; the small baskets and the indigo cloth of the street shops.

Top Highlightsthe water, the reeds and the seasons

No.1The green maze

The green maze

The waterways and the villages from above.

No.2The autumn colours

The autumn colours

The boardwalks through the autumn reeds.

No.3The evening channels

The evening channels

The quiet water at dusk.

Questions & Answerswhat travellers always ask about Xixi Wetland

How long do I need at Xixi?

Half a day for the boat loop (1.5 hours) or the walking circuit (3-4 hours); a full day covers both and the Hezhu Street.

How much is the ticket?

RMB 80 at the gate, with the online booking discounts of RMB 15-20; the boats are extra; the park opens 8:00-17:30 (April-October, tickets until 16:30) and 8:30-17:00 (November-March, tickets until 16:00).

What is the 'Autumn Snow'?

The Qiu Xue Nunnery on its water-girt island - the name comes from the reed flowers that blow like snow in October-November, one of the Eight Views of Xixi.

How do I get there from Hangzhou?

The park is 20 minutes from the West Lake city centre - bus routes and taxis reach the Zhoujiacun entrance; the Huanglong and Wushan distribution centres run the tourist lines.

What about the dragon boats?

The Shentankou dragon-boat festival races on the Dragon Boat Festival - the 'full-rig', 'half-rig' and bare-chested boats of the local tradition, once named by the Qianlong emperor.

Is Xixi different from West Lake?

West Lake is the classical garden lake; Xixi is the working riverine wetland - the reeds, the fishing villages and the old water farming, the 'Triple Xi' of the Hangzhou triad.

Can ToursChinaTravel arrange my Xixi trip?

Yes - email [email protected] or message us on WhatsApp. Our team books the tickets, the boat rides, the fisherman experiences and the Hangzhou transfers, free of charge and without obligation.

Sample Itinerariesthe boat loop and the full-day wetland

Xixi Boat Loop - One Day

The waterways, the Autumn Snow and the Hezhu Street by boat and foot. View the plan →

Day 1

08:30 the Zhoujiacun pier and the boat; 09:00 Meizhu Villa; 10:00 the Qiu Xue Nunnery; 11:30 the Gao estate; 13:00 lunch at the Gao estate restaurant; 14:30 the Hezhu Street and the Xixi tea; 16:00 the walk back through the plant garden.

Land & Water - Two Days

Both routes and the quiet corners of the wetland. View the plan →

Day 1

The boat route - Meizhu, Qiu Xue, Meishu and the Gao estate; evening on the Hezhu Street.

Day 2

The walking route - Zhoujiacun, the plant garden, the Xialongtan reserve and the old villages; afternoon the fisherman experience.

All plans are bookable end-to-end by our team — see the full day-by-day Xixi Wetland itineraries hub, or the day-trip pages for single-day options.

Top Attractionstickets, hours, transport & insider tips

Qiu Xue (Autumn Snow) Nunnery

Qiu Xue (Autumn Snow) Nunnery

The nunnery on its water-girt island - the heart of the Eight Views of Xixi; the autumn reed 'snow' of October-November is the signature of the park.

In park ticket · Park hours · Nunnery · Autumn
View details →
Meizhu Villa

Meizhu Villa

The Qing villa of the plum grove, named for the bamboo and the plum - the first stop of the classic boat route.

In park ticket · Park hours · Villa · Garden
View details →
Yanshui Fishery Village

Yanshui Fishery Village

The fishing village of the park with the 22-step silkworm and silk display and the fishing ponds - the working life of the wetland.

In park ticket · Park hours · Village · Silk
View details →
Gao Estate

Gao Estate

The 1657-1664 estate of Gao Shiqi, the tutor of the Kangxi emperor - the halls, the gardens and the imperial stelae of the visit.

In park ticket · Park hours · Estate · Qing Dynasty
View details →
Hezhu Street

Hezhu Street

The market street of the park - the Xixi tea 'ten times better than Longjing', the small flower baskets (a city-level intangible heritage), the indigo cloth and the rice wine.

In park ticket · Park hours · Street · Tea
View details →
Xixi Meishu (Plum Village)

Xixi Meishu (Plum Village)

The plum village of the Southern Song imperial road - the 'cold life tea house' and the February-March blossom of the hills.

In park ticket · Park hours · Plum Blossom · Village
View details →
Shentankou

Shentankou

The crossing of the three ancient camphor trees - the dragon-boat festival races here on the Dragon Boat Festival; the boats of the local tradition.

In park ticket · Park hours · Dragon Boat · Festival
View details →
Hangzhou Wetland Botanical Garden

Hangzhou Wetland Botanical Garden

The 55-hectare plant garden with more than 600 wetland species - the boardwalks, the observation hides and the reed beds of the science quarter.

In park ticket · Park hours · Botanical · Wetland
View details →

More in the region on the Zhejiang attractions page.

Activities & Festivalsthe festivals and the water life

The Dragon-Boat Festival

The Shentankou race on the Dragon Boat Festival - the 'full-rig', 'half-rig' and bare-chested boats, a tradition once named by the Qianlong emperor.

The Fisherman Experience

Catch the fish, the shrimp and the vegetables of the wetland and take away 3.5 jin - the working day of the water farmer.

The Plum Blossom Season

February-March: the Xixi Meishu and the Meizhu Villa blossom - the Southern Song imperial road of the plum.

The Flower Festival Picnic

The spring flower festival from March - the picnics, the teas and the blossom walks of the park.

The Autumn Reed Snow

October-November: the reed flowers blow 'snow' across the Qiu Xue Nunnery - the classic season of the park.

Where to Staythe Hangzhou hostels serve the park

Every hotel below is bookable by our team; browse the full Zhejiang hotels directory.

Hangzhou International Youth Hostel

The hostel at 101-3 Nanshan Road, 20 minutes from the park - from RMB 55; +86 571 8708 7891.

Phone: +86 571 8708 7891 · Book: Zhejiang hotels · or email [email protected]

Wushan Youth Hostel

The budget hostel at 22 Zhongshan Middle Road - from RMB 45; +86 571 8701 8790.

Phone: +86 571 8701 8790 · Book: Zhejiang hotels · or email [email protected]

The park-area hotels

The hotels of the Wenyi West Road quarter beside the park - the convenient base for the early boats.

Book: Zhejiang hotels · or email [email protected]

Food & Restaurantsthe park restaurants and the wetland tea

Gao Estate Linliu Caotang

The restaurant of the Gao estate - the wetland dishes at RMB 50-100 per head; +86 571 8810 6696.

Phone: +86 571 8810 6696

Shentankou Laozao

The homestyle kitchen of the crossing - the local dishes; +86 571 8810 6620.

Phone: +86 571 8810 6620

Xixi Meishu Teahouse

The plum-village teahouse - the teas and the snacks of the cold-life pavilion; +86 571 8810 6688.

Phone: +86 571 8810 6688

Yuehulou Xixi Yuting

The lakeside restaurant at the Gao estate entrance - from RMB 100-150 per head; +86 571 8819 1777.

Phone: +86 571 8819 1777

The Xixi three treasures

The green plums, the dried drunken fish and the dried bamboo shoots - the 'three treasures' of the wetland, sold on the Hezhu Street.

Shopping & Souvenirsbaskets, tea and the wetland produce

The small flower baskets

The woven flower baskets of Xixi - a city-level intangible heritage in twelve patterns; the craftswomen weave on the Hezhu Street.

The Xixi tea

The local tea of the wetland - the Hezhu Street teahouses pour it fresh; the leaves wrap for the road.

The rice wine & the indigo cloth

The fermented rice wine and the indigo-printed cloth of the street shops.

The three treasures

The green plums, the dried drunken fish and the bamboo shoots - boxed for the road.

Full local-product guides live on the Zhejiang specialties page.

Getting There & Aroundfrom Hangzhou by bus, taxi and the tourist lines

By busThe city buses reach the Zhoujiacun entrance from the West Lake quarter; the Hangzhou International Youth Hostel quarter takes about 20 minutes.

The city buses reach the Zhoujiacun entrance from the West Lake quarter; the Hangzhou International Youth Hostel quarter takes about 20 minutes.

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By taxiA taxi from the West Lake centre runs about RMB 30-40 to the Zhoujiacun entrance.

A taxi from the West Lake centre runs about RMB 30-40 to the Zhoujiacun entrance.

https://media.doubao.com/space/api/box/stream/download/all_by_mount_point/Rw10bEPvOoICXRxIdJSc1PpAn5b

By tourist lineThe Huanglong distribution centre (+86 571 8796 1729) and the Wushan centre (+86 571 8780 9951) run the tourist lines to the park.

The Huanglong distribution centre (+86 571 8796 1729) and the Wushan centre (+86 571 8780 9951) run the tourist lines to the park.

https://media.doubao.com/space/api/box/stream/download/all_by_mount_point/G3lnbKl2fogBuUx4wAEcjM8bnab

By metroThe nearest metro stations of the Wenyi West Road line sit 10-15 minutes from the entrance by bus or taxi.

The nearest metro stations of the Wenyi West Road line sit 10-15 minutes from the entrance by bus or taxi.

https://media.doubao.com/space/api/box/stream/download/all_by_mount_point/Rw10bEPvOoICXRxIdJSc1PpAn5b

Day Trips From Xixi Wetlandthe lake, the tea and the canal

West Lake Day Trip

West Lake Day Trip

The classical lake 20 minutes from the park.

Longjing Tea Village Day Trip

Longjing Tea Village Day Trip

The terraces and the tasting rooms of the West Lake hills.

Grand Canal Day Trip

Grand Canal Day Trip

The water bus and the old warehouses of the canal.

Travel Tipsthings to remember

Take the boat first

The boat loop gives the lay of the wetland in 1.5 hours - walk the second half and you will not waste the ticket.

The online ticket discounts

The RMB 80 gate ticket drops RMB 15-20 when booked online - book the night before the visit.

The autumn is the snow

October-November turns the reeds to 'snow' at the Qiu Xue Nunnery - the classic season of the park; the plum blossom runs February-March.

The free map at the gate

The ticket hall hands out the free map - take it; the signposts inside are sparse in places.

Mind the marsh

The wetland paths are wet and the water is deep in places - keep to the boardwalks and watch the children.

Eat at the park or outside

The park restaurants sit at the Gao estate and the crossings - or carry a picnic; the Hezhu Street snacks fill the gaps.

Practical Informationbanks, hospitals, emergencies and local help

The park enquiry

The information line of Xixi National Wetland Park.

Phone: +86 571 8810 6620

Xixi official website

The official site: xixiwetland.com.cn/Introduction.do.

Phone: Not published

Hangzhou tourism complaints

The official complaints line of the city.

Phone: +86 571 96123

Hangzhou TCM Hospital

The hospital at 453 Tiyuchang Road.

Phone: +86 571 8582 7888

Background & Historythe reed country of the Southern Song

The "triple Xi" of Hangzhou

Xixi, with the West Lake and the Xiling Seal Society, forms the 'triple Xi' of Hangzhou - the city's triad of classical sights.

The 988 town

The Xixi town was founded in 988 AD, in the reign of the Song emperor Taizong - the riverine farming of the wetland is a thousand years old.

The film that stayed

The 2008 film 'If You Are the One' made the line 'Xixi, please stay' famous - the park became the postcard of the new Hangzhou.

The Qianlong boats

The Qianlong emperor named the dragon-boat festival of Shentankou - the imperial stelae of the park keep the story.

Plan Your Xixi Wetland Tripattractions, hotels, flights and specialties — all in one place

Everything on ToursChinaTravel is bookable through our team by email or WhatsApp. Here's where each part of your Xixi Wetland trip lives on the site.

Zhejiang Attractions

Zhejiang Attractions

Star-rated sight details — hours, tickets, phones and tips for every Zhejiang attraction.

Browse Zhejiang sights
Xixi Wetland Hotels

Xixi Wetland Hotels

Star-rated hotels across Zhejiang — sorted by rating, all bookable by our team.

Book a Zhejiang hotel
Flights & Trains

Flights & Trains

Routes, airlines and schedules for flights and rail to Xixi Wetland.

See China flights
Zhejiang Specialties

Zhejiang Specialties

Local products, crafts and foods of Zhejiang — where to find each one.

Browse Zhejiang specialties
Zhejiang Travel Agencies

Zhejiang Travel Agencies

Licensed agencies with addresses, phones and booking contacts.

Find a Zhejiang agency
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