Qiandao Lake

A man-made lake of 1,078 islands with lakeside greenway cycling, boat trips to the islands and the famous Qiandao Lake fish head. Hangzhou's number-one getaway.

Qiandao Lake (Thousand Island Lake) lies in Chun'an County, Hangzhou, Zhejiang. It is a reservoir formed in 1959 when the Xin'an River Hydropower Station dam was built, officially named Xin'an River Reservoir. Its water surface covers about 573 sq km, and the 1,078 hilltops that stood above the water when it filled give the lake its name. The water meets China's Grade I standard and is an important water source for Hangzhou and the Yangtze River Delta, including one of the sources for Nongfu Spring bottled water. The lake borders Huangshan in Anhui to the southwest and lies about 150 km from downtown Hangzhou to the northeast, making it the most popular lakeside getaway near the city. The climate is subtropical monsoon. April–May (mountain flowers and new tea) and September–November (clear, crisp skies) are the best seasons. June–August is hot, but water activities (kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming) are at their liveliest, and it is the peak summer season for families. In winter, boat services are reduced and some islands close. The core area falls into four parts. First, Qiandao Lake Town (Pailing) and the central lake area, where the tourist piers, hotels and restaurants are concentrated, and where boats leave for Meifeng Island, Moonlight Island and Longshan Island. Second, the southeast lake area (Huangshanjian and Mishan Island), reached from piers southeast of the town, with fewer visitors. Third, the Jiangjia Town area to the southwest, home to Wenyuan Lion City, Longchuan Bay Wetland, the Stone Forest scenic area and Xiajiang Village. Fourth, the lakeside greenway, about 150 km in total, of which the Chunyang Road section from Qiandao Lake Town to Jieshou is the classic stretch. Getting there: Qiandao Lake Station on the Hangzhou–Huangshan high-speed railway (in Wenchang Town, about 30 km from Qiandao Lake Town) is about 1 hour from Hangzhou East, and tourist buses and ride-hailing cars run from the station to town. Driving via the Hangzhou–Xin'an–Jingdezhen Expressway takes about 2 hours. High-speed trains also run directly to Qiandao Lake from Huangshan North Station. We suggest 2–3 days: take a boat trip to the islands in the central lake on day one; cycle the greenway or visit the forest oxygen park on day two, with swimming or kayaking in the afternoon; and head toward Jiangjia Town on day three for Wenyuan Lion City and Xiajiang Village. Tips: boat tickets and scenic-area tickets are priced separately and vary by season, so on holidays book ahead through the official “Qiandao Lake Tourism” mini-program. UV is strong on the water, so bring sun protection and water when cycling. Qiandao Lake fish head (organic bighead carp) is a must-eat; famous restaurants in town such as Yuweiguan and Chunyuguan have long queues on holidays.

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