Is Xixi Wetland worth visiting if I have already seen West Lake?

Yes, and it is the better choice if you want quiet. Xixi is a 70 km² preserved marshland about 5 km west of West Lake, with far thinner crowds. The signature draw is a hand-rowed boat gliding through narrow waterways lined with bamboo, persimmon and mulberry trees, a completely different mood from the busy lakeside.

How much is the boat ride at Xixi Wetland and how long does it take?

The hand-rowed boat tour is around ¥80 for roughly 90 minutes on a six-person boat, separate from the ¥80 park entry. Only about 30% of the wetland is open to visitors; the remaining 70% is a protected biological reserve. Booking ahead is recommended, especially in peak blossom and harvest seasons.

When is the best time of year to visit Xixi Wetland?

Two windows stand out. April brings a roughly two-week cherry blossom peak, a calmer alternative to West Lake's crowds. October is persimmon harvest, when yellow-orange fruit dangles from trees across the wetland for iconic autumn photos. Both seasons are the prettiest and most photogenic times to come.

Xixi National Wetland Park, Hangzhou: Map & Visitor's Guide (2026)

70 km² wetland just west of West Lake — boat rides through bamboo + persimmon-lined waterways. The 'second West Lake' for foreigners.

At a glance

What it is: Outdoors
Also known as: 西溪国家湿地公园 (Xīxī Guójiā Shīdì Gōngyuán)
Opening hours: 8 AM – 5:30 PM
Time needed: 3-4 hours
Best time to visit: April (cherry blossoms) or October (persimmon harvest)
Getting there: Metro to the door
English: English tours available
Cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard
Entry: Passport booking recommended
Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi
Address: 518 Tianmushan Rd, West Lake District · 西湖区天目山路 518 号

See Xixi National Wetland Parktickets & tours

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Xixi National Wetland Park (China's first national-class wetland park, opened 2009) is 70 km² of preserved marshland 5 km west of West Lake. The signature experience: hand-rowed boat ride through narrow waterways lined with bamboo, persimmon trees, mulberry trees, and reed beds (¥80 / 90 min / 6-person boat). 30% of the wetland is open to visitors; 70% is biological reserve. Entry ¥80. Cherry blossoms in April + autumn persimmon harvest (yellow-orange fruit dangling from trees throughout the wetland) are the photo seasons. Far less crowded than West Lake — true 'escape from the tourists' option. Metro Line 5 to Hexiawan Station (河厦湾) drops you 10 min walk away.

Highlights

Hand-Rowed Boat Tour¥80 / 90 min; bamboo + persimmon waterways
Persimmon Harvest OctoberYellow-orange fruit dangling everywhere; iconic photos
Cherry Blossom AprilTwo-week peak; alternative to West Lake crowds

What Chinese travelers actually do here

Distilled from Chinese-language travel notes — the practical tips most English guides miss.

▸Take Metro Line 5 to Hexiawan Station; it leaves you about a 10-minute walk from the entrance.
▸Persimmon season in October is the photographer's secret, fruit-laden trees reflect in the still waterways.
▸Arrive at opening to catch low morning light and mist over the reeds before tour groups load the boats.
▸The hand-rowed boat is the whole point; the electric ferry covers ground faster but misses the narrow scenic channels.
▸Pre-book the boat in April and October, as six-person boats fill quickly in blossom and harvest weeks.
▸Pack water and snacks; food options inside the wetland are limited compared with the West Lake area.
▸This is the go-to escape on a sunny weekend when West Lake is shoulder-to-shoulder with visitors.

Photos

Wooden boats rest peacefully on a serene lake framed by lush trees in Hangzhou.

Scenic view of a traditional wooden boat on West Lake, Hangzhou, highlighting lush greenery and calm water.

Beautiful view of traditional Chinese architecture along West Lake in Hangzhou with boats and lush greenery in the background.

Picturesque view of West Lake with pagoda and boat, Hangzhou, China.

Man standing and rowing a traditional boat on West Lake, Hangzhou, during sunset.

A tree filled with ripe, orange persimmons on a late autumn day.

Serene view of a traditional boat on West Lake in Hangzhou, China, under clear blue skies.

Picturesque view of West Lake in Hangzhou with a traditional Chinese boat and pagoda. Tranquil autumn setting.

Peaceful scene featuring a boat on West Lake with Leifeng Pagoda in Hangzhou, China.

Serene view of historic boats and structures on West Lake in Hangzhou, China, with misty mountains.

A peaceful view of West Lake with a traditional boat and mountains in Hangzhou, China.

Tranquil scene of a lake with boats, ducks, and misty mountains in the background.

A tranquil scene featuring a boat on a serene lake surrounded by lush greenery and mountains.

Picturesque scene of West Lake in Hangzhou, featuring a traditional Chinese pagoda and lush foliage.

What travelers say (1 review)

Nature·TripAdvisor·4/5

70 km² wetland boat tour — bamboo + persimmon trees + meandering waterways. ¥80 entry + ¥80 boat. Cherry blossom April or persimmon October.

2026-04-25

Frequently asked questions about Xixi National Wetland Park

Is Xixi Wetland worth visiting if I have already seen West Lake?: Yes, and it is the better choice if you want quiet. Xixi is a 70 km² preserved marshland about 5 km west of West Lake, with far thinner crowds. The signature draw is a hand-rowed boat gliding through narrow waterways lined with bamboo, persimmon and mulberry trees, a completely different mood from the busy lakeside.
How much is the boat ride at Xixi Wetland and how long does it take?: The hand-rowed boat tour is around ¥80 for roughly 90 minutes on a six-person boat, separate from the ¥80 park entry. Only about 30% of the wetland is open to visitors; the remaining 70% is a protected biological reserve. Booking ahead is recommended, especially in peak blossom and harvest seasons.
When is the best time of year to visit Xixi Wetland?: Two windows stand out. April brings a roughly two-week cherry blossom peak, a calmer alternative to West Lake's crowds. October is persimmon harvest, when yellow-orange fruit dangles from trees across the wetland for iconic autumn photos. Both seasons are the prettiest and most photogenic times to come.