Lin'an

The gateway to the mountains of western Zhejiang on Hangzhou's western outskirts, surrounded by the Zhexi Grand Canyon, Daming Mountain, the Taihuyuan stream valleys and the autumn colors of Zhinan Village — a base for summer escapes and autumn road trips.

Lin'an District lies west of Hangzhou in the heart of the Tianmu Mountains. With forest covering about 80% of its area, it is Hangzhou's "back garden" and the gateway to mountain tourism in western Zhejiang. The urban area is about 50 km from central Hangzhou and reached directly by Hangzhou Metro Line 16, and the Hangzhou–Lin'an–Jixi high-speed railway and the Hangzhou–Huizhou Expressway also cross the district, though getting between mountain sights still mostly means driving.

The area breaks down roughly into three parts. Around the urban area are the Qingshan Lake Water Forest, the Mausoleum of King Qian and the Lin'an Museum, good for a half-day of culture. The northern route takes in Taihuyuan, Shenlongchuan and Zhinan Village, all clustered in Taihuyuan Town; East Tianmu Mountain and the Tianmu Grand Canyon in Tianmushan Town; and the Longmen Secret Realm in Gaohong Town, known for its ancient village and rock climbing. The western route follows the Hangzhou–Huizhou Expressway deep into the mountains, where Heqiao Ancient Town, rafting on the Liuxi River, the Zhexi Grand Canyon, Zhexi Tianchi, Daming Mountain and Taizijian form a classic driving loop. The West Tianmu Mountain National Nature Reserve (with its ancient Chinese cedars and Chanyuan Temple) is also in Lin'an, but is usually treated as a separate classic day trip from Hangzhou.

The climate is mild and humid. In summer the mountains are 5–8°C cooler than downtown Hangzhou, making July–August the peak season for escaping the heat. April–May brings spring bamboo shoots and mountain flowers, the red leaves of Zhinan Village peak in mid-to-late November, and in winter you can ski on Daming Mountain. Allow 2–3 days: one day for the northern route and one or two for the western route, staying in guesthouses in Baisha Village at Taihuyuan or near the Grand Canyon. Local specialties include hickory nuts, dried Tianmu bamboo shoots and Tianmu Yunwu tea. The mountain roads are winding and get congested on weekends during the foliage season and summer holidays, so travel off-peak if you can; stream valleys are slippery after rain, so watch your footing.

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Itineraries