West Lake Hangzhou: A Guide to the Traditional Hand-Rowed Boat Ride
Published September 21, 2026
One of my favorite experiences during our day trip to Hangzhou, China, was taking a traditional hand-rowed boat ride on West Lake. We chose the longer two-hour route, which gave us plenty of time to sit back, relax, and take in the beautiful scenery. Once we moved away from the busy shoreline, everything became noticeably quieter. Surrounded by green hills, traditional boats, and the calm waters, it was one of those experiences that made us slow down and simply enjoy where we were.
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Visiting West Lake in Hangzhou, China
Visiting West Lake in Hangzhou, China, was one of the stops I knew I wanted to make on our way to visit the nearby Longjing tea fields. Located in the heart of Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province, West Lake is known for its beautiful scenery, traditional Chinese architecture, peaceful waters, gardens, pagodas, and tree-lined shores. It is one of the most famous attractions in Hangzhou and a popular place for those looking to experience a quieter, more scenic side of China.
One of the experiences I was most excited about was taking a traditional hand-rowed boat ride on West Lake. There is something beautiful about seeing the wooden boats slowly moving across the water, and I wanted the opportunity to experience the lake from one of them rather than walking along the shoreline.
How to Get from Shanghai to West Lake in Hangzhou
Getting to West Lake in Hangzhou from Shanghai was fairly easy. We were staying at UrCove by Hyatt in Shanghai(booked through booking.com) and took the high-speed train from Shanghai to Hangzhou. (We booked our train through Trip.com) Traveling by high-speed train is a convenient option if you're planning a day trip from Shanghai to Hangzhou, and it allowed us to experience West Lake and the nearby Longjing tea fields without having to stay overnight in Hangzhou. We left our hotel around 7:00 a.m. to give ourselves enough time to get to the train station and find our high-speed train. We arrived in Hangzhou around 9:30 a.m.
If you're comfortable using the Shanghai Metro, I will say that navigating the high-speed railway station felt a little more complicated to me. The Shanghai Metro was incredibly easy for us to navigate, with plenty of English signage along the way. At the railway station, I found there was less English available, so it took us a little more time to figure out exactly where we needed to go.
My biggest advice when taking the high-speed train from Shanghai to Hangzhou is to give yourself extra time at the station. Don't arrive expecting to walk directly to your train. Allow yourself time to find your departure information, locate the correct area, and figure out where you need to go without feeling rushed. And yes, we actually missed our train at one point! Thankfully, it wasn't a big ordeal. We went back to the ticket desk, explained what happened, and they were able to change our train.
Riding the High-Speed Train from Shanghai to Hangzhou
Once we were on the train, the experience was comfortable and relaxing. During our ride, we were provided with a small assortment of individually packaged snacks and a bottle of water. There were also opportunities to purchase additional drinks and snacks during the journey, either from service on the train or from the snack/dining area.
Travel Tip: Keep your passport easily accessible when traveling by high-speed train in China. As an international traveler, your passport is tied to your train reservation and may be needed as you make your way through the station.
Finding Your DiDi After Arriving in Hangzhou
Once we arrived at the Hangzhou train station, our next step was getting a DiDi to West Lake. DiDi is basically China's version of Uber, and we used it frequently throughout our trip.
After getting off the train, look for signs directing you toward “Ride Hailing.” Follow those signs rather than simply heading toward the general taxi area. The ride-hailing signs will lead you to the designated pickup area for services such as DiDi.
Once we reached the ride-hailing pickup area, we found large poles marked with orange bands and numbers. These numbered pickup points make it much easier for you and your DiDi driver to find one another. Check which numbered pole you're standing near and use that information to help your driver locate you.
We accessed DiDi through Alipay, which was incredibly convenient because we were already using Alipay for payments throughout our trip to China.
Taking a DiDi from Hangzhou Station to West Lake
Because West Lake is a large scenic area with multiple boat docks, I wouldn't recommend entering only “West Lake” as your destination if your goal is specifically to take one of the traditional hand-rowed boats.
We asked our DiDi driver for help getting us to the area where we could take a traditional hand-rowed boat on West Lake. Despite the language barrier, he was able to get us where we needed to go and even pointed us in the right direction once we arrived. We used the Translator app during our travels for communication.
Where to Find the Hand-Rowed Boats at West Lake
Once you're dropped off, head toward the lakeshore and look for the traditional wooden hand-rowed boats and the line for boarding. We boarded our hand-rowed boat at Majiawan Pier (马家湾码头). Majiawan is located on the southern side of West Lake, near the southern end of Su Causeway.
If you're using DiDi or Amap in China, I recommend searching for the Chinese name:
马家湾码头 — Majiawan Pier
Travel Tip: West Lake has multiple hand-rowed boat docks and they don't all follow the same route. If you want to experience a ride similar to ours, I recommend navigating specifically to Majiawan Pier rather than entering only “West Lake” as your DiDi destination.
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Taking a Hand-Rowed Boat Ride on West Lake
Once we reached the lake, it was easy to spot the traditional wooden boats coming and going from the shoreline. When it was finally our turn, we climbed aboard, got settled under the canopy, and our boatman slowly rowed us away from shore.
One of my favorite things about the West Lake hand-rowed boats is that there is no motor. For the next two hours, there was no sound of an engine—just the movement of the wooden oar through the water and the sounds around the lake. Once we moved away from the busy shoreline, everything became noticeably quieter. Our boat had a canopy over the passenger area, while the boatman stood toward the back and guided the boat using a long wooden oar.
We passed other traditional boats along the way, watched the scenery change around us, and even saw a few ducks swimming nearby. Despite choosing the longer two-hour route, it didn't feel like we were on the water that long. There was always something to look at, and the mist hanging over the distant scenery made everything even more beautiful.
Since we don't speak Chinese, we didn't really communicate with our boatman during the ride. The other couple sharing our boat did speak the language and chatted with him throughout the journey. For us, though, the quiet became part of the experience. We could sit back, take in the scenery, and enjoy how calm everything felt out on the water.
How Long Did We Wait for a West Lake Boat?
One thing to plan for when taking a hand-rowed boat ride on West Lake is that you may have to wait for a boat, especially during busier times of the day. During our visit, we waited approximately 45 minutes in line before it was our turn to board.
The waiting area was partly shaded, which definitely helped. We experienced quite a bit of rain during our trip through China in June, but somehow, we lucked out on the day we visited West Lake in Hangzhou. I was thankful because being able to enjoy the lake without rain made our traditional West Lake boat ride even more enjoyable.
If you want to reduce your wait time, I recommend planning your West Lake boat ride earlier in the morning. Local West Lake tourism guidance recommends avoiding the afternoon peak, particularly from around 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., when demand for the boats can be much higher. Earlier mornings generally have fewer people waiting, so getting to the boat docks before 9:00–9:30 a.m. may give you a better chance of a shorter line.
Of course, wait times can vary depending on the day, season, weather, holidays, and which West Lake boat dock you use. I would give yourself plenty of extra time and avoid scheduling your day too tightly.
How Much Does a West Lake Hand-Rowed Boat Ride Cost?
One of the best things about taking a traditional hand-rowed boat ride on West Lake is that the experience was quite affordable, especially if you are willing to share your boat with other passengers.
During our visit, the price for a West Lake hand-rowed boat was 150 Chinese yuan per hour, per boat. We chose the longer two-hour route, which was 300 yuan per boat. We decided to take the longer route because I wanted more time to relax and enjoy the scenery rather than rushing through the experience.
We ended up sharing our boat with another couple. From what we were able to understand despite the language barrier, sharing the boat made the experience less expensive because we could divide the total cost. The two-hour boat ride cost 300 yuan, so the other couple paid half, and we paid the other half. Our portion was 150 yuan, or approximately $22.40 USD, for the two of us.
Most of the traditional boats can accommodate several passengers, generally around four to six people, making the West Lake boat ride cost per person surprisingly inexpensive when the total fare is divided among a group.
Payment was also simple. Once we were seated and settled into the boat, there was a QR code available to scan for payment. This was similar to many of our other experiences traveling through China, where mobile and QR-code payments were commonly used.
If you're planning a West Lake Hangzhou boat ride, keep in mind that prices can change. I recommend checking the current rate at the boat dock before boarding. But based on our experience, sharing a boat was an affordable way to spend two hours enjoying one of the most beautiful and peaceful things to do in Hangzhou, China.
Our West Lake boat ride cost: 300 CNY total for the two-hour boat
Our share: 150 CNY (approximately $22.40 USD) for two people
Length of our ride: Approximately 2 hours
Payment: QR code after boarding
Tips for Taking a Hand-Rowed Boat Ride on West Lake
After experiencing a traditional hand-rowed boat ride on West Lake, there are a few things I would recommend knowing before you go. There are a few things I wish I had known before our West Lake boat ride, especially when it came to weather and how much time to allow.
Be Prepared for the Weather
We visited Hangzhou in June, during a time of year when rain is common. It had actually rained on many of the days during our trip through China, although we were lucky enough to have a dry day for our visit to West Lake. If you're visiting during the rainy season, I would bring an umbrella or lightweight rain jacket, especially since you may spend some time waiting in line before boarding your boat. Once on the boat, there is a canopy that provides some shade.
It was also quite warm during our two-hour boat ride. Our boatman provided traditional hand fans for us to use, which was a nice touch and helped with the heat. You could also bring a small portable handheld fan if you're visiting Hangzhou during the warmer months.
Give Yourself More Time Than You Think You Need
This is probably the biggest thing I would do differently. We had a tour of the Longjing tea fields scheduled after visiting West Lake, and we ended up running a little late.
If you're adding a West Lake boat ride to your Hangzhou itinerary, I wouldn't schedule another timed activity immediately afterward like we did unless you can plan your timing just right. Give yourself extra time for the boat line, the actual ride, walking to your pickup location, waiting for your DiDi, and Hangzhou traffic. That way, you can actually enjoy your time on West Lake instead of checking the clock and worrying about getting to your next activity.
We used Klook to book our tea fields experience. We used Klook to book several experiences during our trip to China, including our Longjing tea fields tour.
Bring Water—Although Ours Was Provided
Water bottles were provided on our boat, which was especially appreciated on a warm day. You can carry your own water while exploring West Lake, particularly if you plan to spend several hours walking around the area before or after your boat ride.
Have Your Payment Apps Ready
Before traveling to China, make sure you have a way to make mobile payments. We used Alipay throughout our trip to China, including paying for our boat ride. Once we were on the boat, we simply scanned the provided QR code from the Alipay app to make our payment.
We also used Alipay to access DiDi, which made getting around much easier. Having Alipay set up before our trip meant we could use the same app for everyday purchases, transportation, and experiences like our traditional boat ride.
Other Things to Do Around West Lake
Unfortunately, we didn't have a lot of extra time to explore West Lake because we were heading to the tea fields after our boat ride. However, if you have more time in your Hangzhou itinerary, there are plenty of ways to continue enjoying the area before or after your West Lake hand-rowed boat ride.
Right around the boat area, we found a few small shops and places to grab a snack or something to drink. The entire area is very green and shaded by large trees, making it a nice place to enjoy the scenery before or after your West Lake boat ride.
Walk Part of Su Causeway
You can also walk onto Su Causeway, one of the most recognizable walking areas at West Lake. The causeway begins near Quyuan Fenghe and stretches approximately 2.8 kilometers across the western side of the lake, with water views, willow trees and several bridges along the way.
You certainly don't have to walk the entire causeway. If you're short on time, you could simply walk a portion of it to experience West Lake on foot before turning around.
Or Simply Walk Along West Lake
You don't necessarily need another attraction planned. One of the easiest free things to do at West Lake is simply walk along the shoreline, stop for photos, watch the boats and enjoy the scenery from land.
If you have plenty of time, I would combine some walking with a traditional hand-rowed boat ride because they give you two completely different perspectives of West Lake.
However, if your time in Hangzhou is limited and you have to choose between spending a couple of hours walking around the lake or taking a boat ride, I would personally choose the hand-rowed boat.
Where to Stay Near West Lake in Hangzhou
We visited Hangzhou as a day trip from Shanghai, so we didn't stay overnight near West Lake. However, if you want more time to explore the lake, staying in Hangzhou for one or two nights would give you much more time to enjoy the area without feeling rushed. I often use booking.com to book my hotel stays when I am traveling. Here are a few other options to choose from while in Hangzhou.
This Guest House offers a terrace, buffet, on-site restaurant, and a 10-minute walk to West Lake.
Enjoy breakfast buffet and Chinese cuisine on site. Find a beautiful garden area and playground.
This beautiful villa offers a sun terrace, garden area, on-site restaurants, coffee shop, family room, hot tub, and mountain views.
Apps we used during our trip to China
Our top apps we used, and I recommend while visiting China are as follows:
American Airlines is the airline we used from Florida for our entire trip. We had great success and a smooth flight. The only negative was there were several delays, but our connecting flights all waited for us. Meals were included in our flights.
Alipay - you must download this app immediately. We used this for all of our payments and for our DiDi throughout our trip.
DiDi - we never used this app, I only used the Alipay app for DiDi.
WeChat- our Longjing tea fields tour communicated with us through that app
Pieco - recommended by others but I never used it
Translator - we used this all the time when we needed to communicate to someone in Chinese. It will even allow you to take a photo of something and it will translate it into your language
Waygo - also recommended by others but we never used it
Disney Resort - we used this when we visited Shanghai Disneyland
Amap - China’s google or apple maps
Klook to book tours in China
Saily - we used this to have Wi-Fi during our travels and cell service. It also allows you to have access to social media since China will block those apps
Final Thoughts on Our West Lake Hangzhou Boat Ride
Our boat ride on West Lake in Hangzhou is an experience I would absolutely take the time to do again. If I were planning our day differently, the biggest change I would make would be giving ourselves more time at West Lake. I loved the boat ride, but I wish we had also had a few extra hours to walk along the lake, explore the surrounding area, and simply enjoy being there without worrying about getting to our next activity.
Even though we chose the two-hour boat ride, the time went by surprisingly quick. There was always something to look at—the mist and fog hanging over the distant landscape, traditional boats passing us on the water, the tree-lined shoreline, and even a few ducks swimming alongside the boats.
The entire process of taking a traditional hand-rowed boat on West Lake was also much easier than I had anticipated. You don't need an advanced reservation for the experience we chose. We simply found the boarding area, got in line, waited for an available boat, climbed aboard, and paid by scanning the QR code once we were settled.
If you're planning a Shanghai to Hangzhou day trip or looking for memorable things to do in Hangzhou, China, I would make time for a traditional boat ride on West Lake. And if your schedule allows, don't make the same mistake we did—leave yourself extra time before or after your boat ride to explore West Lake on foot.
Between the mist-covered scenery, warm air, quiet water and traditional boats slowly making their way across the lake, West Lake gave us a completely different experience from the busy cities we encountered during our trip through China.
This is one experience I would definitely add to your China bucket list.
Enjoy the journey,
Jennifer
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I am a girl who loves to travel and enjoys sharing expert family travel advice. I am a content creator and influencer on Instagram with years of travel experience and provide readers with advice, tips, and details on adventurous travel and tips on saving money while boondocking or traveling across the US and internationally. You can find me dreaming up our next epic vacation or outside exploring natural landscapes. I am a fearless roadtripper who isn’t afraid to explore new and off the path adventures.
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Planning a West Lake Hangzhou boat ride? Learn where to find the traditional hand-rowed boats, how much they cost, wait times, how to get there from Shanghai, and tips from our two-hour ride.