Qiandao Lake
Qiandao Lake is a national key scenic area and a National 5A-level tourist attraction. With its clear mountains, beautiful waters, and numerous islands, the lake presents ever-changing landscapes that have earned it the reputation of being "the most beautiful lake in China."
Qiandao Lake, also known as Xin'anjiang Reservoir, got its name from the 1,078 verdant islands scattered across the lake. Covering an area of 573 square kilometers, it is larger than Singapore. As one of China's largest artificial lakes, Qiandao Lake boasts beautiful scenery and abundant ecosystems, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in Zhejiang Province.
Qiandao Lake Scenic Area Facts
- Chinese name: 千岛湖
- Pinyin: Qiandao Hu
- Location: Qiandao Lake is located in Chun'an County, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province. The main body of the lake is situated upstream of the Xin'an River.
- Opening Hours: Qiandao Lake is open all day from Monday to Sunday, and the yacht service operates from 8:00 to 15:50.
- Ticket price: The ticket price for the central lake area of Qiandao Lake is CNY185, which includes a boat ticket for the lake tour.
Qiandao Lake Climate
The scenic area of Qiandao Lake is located in the central subtropical region and belongs to the subtropical monsoon climate zone. Its climate characteristics are as follows: distinct seasons, abundant sunlight, rich heat, plentiful rainfall, and moderate temperatures.
In Qiandao Lake, winter is characterized by clear, cold, and dry weather with low temperatures and little rainfall. In summer, the prevailing winds are from the southeast, bringing high temperatures and humidity.
The annual average temperature ranges in Qiandao Lake from 15°C to 17°C, with a frost-free period of 230-270 days. The average annual precipitation is 1319.7 millimeters, with spring rain, plum rain, and typhoon rain being common, and there may be droughts in July and August.
The Best Time to Visit Qiandao Lake
In Qiandao Lake, spring, summer, and autumn are all suitable seasons to visit, and each season offers a different landscape. Summer is perfect for water activities, while spring and autumn allow for a closer connection with nature, such as self-driving, camping, and kayaking.
The most beautiful season in Qiandao Lake is autumn when the entire lake area is covered with various types of beautiful leaves. Spring is also a good choice, as the blooming cherry blossoms and peach blossoms create a stunning view. Summer is best for water activities such as swimming, boating, and fishing. Although winter is relatively quiet, the impressive phenomenon of frost on the lake is a sight to behold.
From September to November. The weather is cool and pleasant, with an average temperature of 12-18°C and less rainfall. April and May are also good, although there is more rain, so remember to bring rain gear. The rainy season in Qiandao Lake is from early June to early July, and the period from mid-July to late August is a drought season, with hot and humid weather and temperatures reaching up to 36°C in the afternoon.
During the winter in Qiandao Lake, there are fewer tourists, and most of the tour boats are taken for maintenance. The entire county becomes quiet and cold, with temperatures dropping to as low as -6°C when cold air moves south. Combined with the humidity in the air, it can feel quite cold, so it is necessary to bring warm clothing when visiting during this time.
Qiandao Lake Transportation
Qiandao Lake is a great vacation destination, approximately 150 kilometers from downtown Hangzhou, with a two-hour drive from Hangzhou or a 50-minute high-speed train ride.
The Qiandao Lake is 130 kilometers from Huangshan, 400 kilometers from Nanjing, 400 kilometers from Shanghai, and 300 kilometers from Suzhou. With the opening of the high-speed railway, it is now possible to travel directly from Qiandao Lake to cities such as Beijing, Xi'an, Suzhou, and Shanghai.
Must See in Qiandao Lake
Qiandao Lake can be mainly divided into five areas: Northeast Lake Area (direction of the high-speed railway station), Northwest Lake Area (Anhui direction upstream), Southwest Lake Area (Wenyuan Lion City direction), Southeast Lake Area (Southeast Lake Area scenic spot, downstream direction), and Central Lake Area (county center lake scenic spot direction).
The attractions can be divided into a basic version and an upgraded version.
Basic Version
The basic version is to visit the islands. Qiandao Lake has two main scenic areas: the Central Lake Area and the Southeast Lake Area.
These two areas have four islands each that can be combined for island excursions, with a duration of around 7 hours. Generally, when visiting Thousand Island Lake, you can choose either area since both areas have boat and yacht services available at the docks.
- Central Lake Area (Meifeng Island, Moonlight Island, Shenlong Island, Longshan Island): This area was developed earlier, but the environment is comparatively poorer, and the commercial atmosphere is stronger. It is not recommended.
- Southeast Lake Area (Huangshan Peak, Tianchi Island, Mishan Island, Guihua Island): This area was developed later and the scenery is closer to its natural state. There are fewer fee-based activities.
Apart from visiting the islands, there are many other activities to enjoy at Thousand Island Lake. Here are a few advanced recommendations for lesser-known attractions.
Tianyushan Observation Deck
If you want to enjoy the scenery of Thousand Island Lake, you don't necessarily need to take the cable car. This place is the best spot for sunset viewing, and it is conveniently located in the city area. You can either hike up the mountain or drive directly to the summit. You can peacefully wait for the sunset.
Wenxiang Central Primary School
Fuwen Central Primary School is renowned as the most beautiful village school in China. On the hillside, amidst green mountains and valleys, there are candy-colored castle houses, layered and dazzling. Seeing this school in a remote mountain area feels like entering a fairytale.
Tips: The school is not a tourist attraction. Children attend classes here regularly, and it is not accessible from Monday to Friday.
Qiandao Lake Cycling
When visiting Thousand Island Lake, most people prefer cycling not only for exercise but also because the cycling paths are truly beautiful.
In 2014, the Qiandao Lake Cycling Greenway was selected as the "Most Beautiful Road" in Zhejiang. There are many routes for cycling, depending on the intensity you can handle. The complete route around the lake is 168 kilometers.
- Lake circuit route: Qiandao Lake Square – Qiandao Lake Bridge – Qianfen Line – Jieshou Township – Jiangjia Town – Fenkou Town – Fengshuling Town – Dashu Town – Anyang Township – Shangjiangbu Bridge – Qiandao Lake Tourist Pier – Qiandao Lake Square
For most people, the main goal is to have a sense of participation, so you can shorten the trip by starting from the Slow Life Square and cycling to Shangjiangbu Bridge, covering a distance of 7.3 kilometers.
Beer Town
Qiandao Lake Beer Town has a distinctive exotic charm, and it is home to the most famous regional specialty of Thousand Island Lake: Thousand Island Lake Beer. When you visit here, you can also experience the beer-making process and have a taste of Thousand Island Lake Beer.
Qiandao Lake Kayaking Club
When you come to Qiandao Lake, it's a great opportunity to engage in some sports activities. Besides cycling, kayaking is the most worthwhile activity to try.
The kayaking coaches, facilities, and training systems at Qiandao Lake are highly developed. Kayaking is a sport that beginners can quickly pick up, allowing you to experience the beauty of the lake and mountains more directly than simply going on an island tour. Moreover, the water quality of Qiandao Lake is truly excellent, as it is the source of Nongfu Spring water.
Second or Third Time to Visit Qiandao Lake
There are some relatively remote attractions that may be difficult to cover in one visit. It's recommended to visit Qiandao Lake for a second or third time and gradually explore these places.
Qinchuan Ancient Village
Qinchuan Ancient Village is located within the territory of Langchuan Township, an ancient village soaked in history, nestled among mountains and water, and adorned with wisps of cooking smoke for over 750 years.
It is surrounded by four mountains and two rivers, with the Qinchuan River flowing ceaselessly. Hence, it is named "Qinchuan." The village preserves a large number of Huizhou-style buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties, totaling over three hundred. It feels like a painting.
Tachuan Village
Built against the mountains with ancient houses featuring upturned eaves, layered and scattered in a picturesque manner. When viewed from a distance, it resembles a pagoda standing in the valley. This is the origin of the name "Ta".
A clear stream flows through the village, bringing endless vitality to the small village. This is the origin of the name "Chuan." Combined, it becomes "Tachuan".
In mid to late October, Tachuan starts to enter autumn, and by late November, the leaves turn brilliantly red. Passing through the ancient woods at the entrance of Tachuan Village and ascending the stone steps along the clear stream will lead you into the village. The colorful leaves on the mountains create a rich layering effect, ranging from yellow and light red to fiery red.
Xiajiang Village
Xiajiang Village, faces north and south, with uneven terrain and rows of houses with white walls and gray tiles, arranged in a picturesque manner. Here, you'll find one of the three most beautiful ancient paths in Zhejiang Province, formerly known as "Yashu Gorge" — carrying people's beautiful expectations for green waters and mountains.
Longchuan Bay
Longchuan Bay is home to the largest and most intact secondary ecological broadleaf forest in East China, earning it the reputation of a rare "natural color library." There's also a forest train here. Hop on the train, pass through the long rainbow trail, and head towards the endless depths of the forest. These villages are perfect for self-driving and cycling enthusiasts.
Qiandao Lake Accommodations
When visiting Qiandao Lake, choosing the right hotel is quite important. There are numerous high-end hotels in Qiandao Lake, including InterContinental, Sheraton, Kaiyuan, Green City Resort, Novotel, Warm Island Butterfly, Meidiya Junlan, Runhe Jianguo, Sunshine, Berrett, and Qiyue, which are all well-known international and domestic hotel brands.
More than 90% of these hotels are located in the downtown area, such as Green City, Sheraton, and Hilton. Let's take a look at the hotel distribution map.
InterContinental One Thousand Island Lake Resort
InterContinental would be a great choice. It is situated in a relatively secluded location, and as you drive into the hotel, you will be greeted with a breathtaking view of the lake.
This place offers a large, quiet, and independent area with lake-view rooms featuring floor-to-ceiling windows. There are also many dedicated areas for families, making it a worry-free choice. Additionally, you can participate in some of the hotel's organized activities, which makes your stay even more convenient.
Ahn Luh Qiandao Lake
Apart from InterContinental, Ahn Luh Qiandao Lake is also well-located in Qiandao Lake, close to Shicheng. If you stay in Anlu, you can conveniently visit Wen Yuan Lion City and Longchuan Bay, which is a bit far from the downtown area but offers stunning views, especially during autumn.
Anlu Hotel is situated on two peninsulas in the heart of the Qiandao Lake. All 84 villas provide a panoramic lake view, and the design concept is even more impressive than InterContinental.
If you are visiting Qiandao Lake for the second or subsequent time, staying in Anlu and exploring the nearby attractions would be a good option.
Qiandao Lake Homestays
For those who prefer a quieter stay, and would like to stay in cozy homestays, it's important to carefully consider the location and do some comparisons.
Qingxi Mountain Retreat
Qingxi Mountain Retreat is nestled along a secluded path on the outskirts of the bustling city. Surrounded by mountains on three sides and facing the breathtaking Qiandao Lake, it is currently the only mountain retreat with a lake view in Qiandao Lake. It offers stunning views of the emerald-green waters at the heart of Qiandao Lake. Immerse yourself in the refreshing mountain air and the soothing sounds of birds chirping.
Qianmojian Shanye Holiday Hostel
Qianmojian Shanye Holiday Hostel is located near Qiandao Lake, with a lakefront setting that provides a panoramic view of the magnificent scenery. Surrounded by lush forests, the rooms are exquisitely designed, each featuring oversized windows that offer a distant view of the sunset, evening glow, and the break of dawn. This place offers a large, quiet, and independent area with lake-view rooms featuring floor-to-ceiling windows. There are also many dedicated areas for families, making it a worry-free choice. Additionally, you can participate in some of the hotel's organized activities, which makes your stay even more convenient.
Shibalu Chuxi Life Guesthouse
Shibalu Chuxi Life Guesthouse, also known as "Eighteen Deer," is situated in Jiulongyuan Village, Qiandao Lake. Follow the long stream and open the rustic gate to reveal a serene paradise filled with picturesque landscapes of mountains and fields. With streams flowing around and fresh air permeating the surroundings, you can experience the beauty of Qiandao Lake at every turn.
Cipo Qiandao Lake Holiday Homestay
This hotel is located in Jiangjia Town, also on the outskirts of Qiandao Lake, close to Shicheng. It is quite suitable for families with children because they provide personal butler service and arrange itineraries, making it a perfect place for a vacation.
The History of Qiandao Lake
Qiandao Lake was originally a mountainous area. However, with the construction of the Xin'an Jiang hydroelectric power station in 1959, the former mountainous region was transformed into an underwater city, giving rise to the Qiandao Lake we see today.
Qiandao Lake is with a water volume of 17.8 billion cubic meters, it is four times the size of Taihu Lake and 3,000 times larger than West Lake in Hangzhou. The lake maintains an average water visibility of 9 to 12 meters throughout the year and is classified as a national first-class water body, earning it the reputation of "the most beautiful show lake in the world."
In 2009, with its 1,078 islands, Qiandao Lake set a world record recognized by the World Record Association of China for having the most islands in a lake, making it the largest archipelago lake in the world.
Visiting Qiandao Lake with China Travel
Discover the beauty of Thousand Island Lake in Hangzhou. Explore by boat, kayak, cycling the scenic trails. Immerse yourself in local culture, visit ancient villages, and indulge in delicious cuisine.
If you are planning a tour of Qiandao Lake, it's suggested you combine it with other famous sights in Hangzhou, contact us to customize your Qiandao Lake tour.