Xixi National Wetland Park
西溪国家湿地公园
China's first national wetland park, with interlaced waterways and swaying reeds, where sculling boats glide through the network. It became famous through the film If You Are the One, and it is the green lung of western Hangzhou.
Xixi Wetland lies in western Hangzhou and covers about 11.5 square kilometres. It is a rare secondary urban wetland. Together with West Lake and Xiling, it is known as the “Three Wests of Hangzhou.” It was named an internationally important wetland in 2009. The park has three areas. The East Zone is the main park, entered from Zhoujia Village, and includes Yanshui Fishing Village, Shentan Kou, Qiuxue Hermitage, and Xixi Plum Villa. The West Zone, Hong Garden, is entered from Wuchang. It is quiet and less crowded, and includes the Hong Clan Ancestral Hall and the view of “fire persimmons reflected in the water.” The Fudi area is free to enter. The main activity is boating. An electric boat costs about RMB 60 per person and takes about 40 minutes along the main waterways. A sculling boat costs about RMB 150 to 200 per boat and can enter the narrow channels, which is more atmospheric. You can also walk along Fudi and Lüdi for free, or rent a bicycle to ride the 10-kilometre Lüdi. Tickets cost RMB 80 for the East Zone and RMB 70 for the West Zone. A combined ticket is about RMB 100. Sculling boats cost extra, and Fudi is free. Seasonal events include the Plum Blossom Festival in March, with 500 mu of plum trees at Xixi Plum Villa. The Dragon Boat Regatta at Shentan Kou during the Duanwu Festival is the liveliest event and is an intangible heritage activity. The fire persimmon and reed festivals in October and November are the highlights, with Qiuxue Hermitage's reeds the most beautiful. Birdwatching takes place in winter. For a half-day visit, enter from Zhoujia Village, take a boat to Shentan Kou, walk past Qiuxue Hermitage and Yanshui Fishing Village, have lunch at a wetland farmhouse, and leave via Fudi in the afternoon. Getting there: Metro Line 3 Xixi Wetland South station serves the West Zone, and Line 5 Jiangcun station serves the East Zone. Both are a 10 to 15-minute walk away. You can also take the bus to the Zhoujia Village stop. Mosquitoes are common in the wetland, so bring repellent. The park is large, so wear comfortable shoes, or use the electric carts at RMB 10 per segment.
Opening hours
April–October 8:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; November–March 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Nearby sights
- Tianmuli Art Park
- Beigaofeng Peak
- Yongfu Temple
- Lingyin Temple & Feilai Feng
- Faxi Temple
- Shili Langdang Trail
- Longjing Village
- Hangzhou Botanical Garden