[2025 Hangzhou Attraction] Travel Guide for Xianzhaochan Temple (Updated Jun)

In the bustling city of Hangzhou, there lies a hidden gem, Xiang Lake, like a beauty who has slumbered for thousands of years, waiting for people to unveil her mystique. Today, let's embark on a journey to this magical land and discover its charm. Xiang Lake possesses both the elegance of West Lake and the charm of Jiangnan, a perfect blend of the two. The ancient plank roads, hidden islands, and underwater ancient city make it a picture-perfect destination. Here are three different walking routes. First is the [Classic Route], which takes about 3 hours and guarantees countless likes on your social media posts. Starting from the Cross-Lake Bridge Museum, you'll be treated to stunning views all the way to Hehua Village, where you can take a relaxing ride on a traditional Chinese boat. Then, head to the Yue King City Ruins to explore the traces of history, followed by some leisurely fish-watching at Xiangdi. Finally, end your journey at Jinsha Play Water, a perfect spot for family fun. Next is the [Hidden Wonderland Route], perfect for escaping the crowds. Starting from Qingpu Asking for Chuncai, listen to the morning bells at Xianzhao Temple and embrace the tranquility. Then, experience the unique fishing village life at Laohudong Fishing Village. Afterward, lose yourself in the reed maze of Meishan Island and immerse yourself in nature's embrace. Finally, enjoy a picnic at Laizishan Mountain. Remember to wear your sneakers! Lastly, we have the [Family Fun Route], designed for you and your children to fully enjoy the beauty of Xiang Lake. Starting from Jinsha Play Water Beach, head to the Smart Flower Paradise for some fun-filled playtime. Then, enjoy a barbecue at the RV campsite. Afterward, take a scenic boat ride, passing by the Swan Island feeding spot, where children can get up close and personal with the adorable animals. Now, let's talk about transportation. If you're driving, navigate to [Xiang Lake Jinsha Play Water Parking Lot]. Parking spaces are usually available before 10:00 on weekends. If you prefer the subway, take Line 1 and exit at [Xiang Lake Station, Exit C]. Then, rent a shared bike and cycle for about 15 minutes to reach Hushang Square. If you're taking a taxi, tell the driver to go to "Jinrong Town". This will save you 8 yuan compared to saying "Xiang Lake"! Regarding parking, the fee is 6 yuan/hour, capped at 30 yuan. Charging stations for new energy vehicles are located at Xiang Lake Post House. For a better parking spot, try parking at the "Laohudong Visitor Center", where the parking spaces are shaded by trees. If you dine at "Kaiyuan Senbo Parking Lot", parking is free. However, be aware that the area near "Yuefeng Restaurant" is a one-way street, which can be tricky to navigate. Finally, some information about boat rides. Traditional Chinese boats cost 40 yuan per person, but you can try bargaining for 30 yuan for the last ride at 17:00. For a luxurious experience, rent an electric boat for 200 yuan/hour, which comes with a complimentary serving of the King Yue's secret lotus root starch. Of course, if you prefer free sightseeing, the Xiang Lake Phase III cycling path offers equally stunning views. That concludes our Xiang Lake travel guide. We hope you have a wonderful time here!

🌿 Built during the Southern Song Dynasty, Xianzhao Temple, also known as Xianzhao Zen Temple, is named for the meaning 'the light of the rising sun shines upon this temple first.' When visiting Xianghu Lake in Hangzhou, you must come here for a look, it's quite a surprise. 🧩 The geographical location of Xianzhao Temple is excellent, overlooking three rivers and one lake, namely Qiantang River, Fuchun River, Puyang River, and Xianghu Lake. Inside the temple, you can greet the first rays of dawn and enjoy the view of the sunrise. Especially at dusk, when the light sprinkles on the river surface, the atmosphere is open and wide, offering a breathtaking view of the sunset. 🧩 You can drive directly up here, which is very friendly for the lazy, with several sharp turns in the road, so be careful when driving. Friends who like to exercise can walk up the mountain, which takes about thirty minutes. 🧩 The whole ancient temple is quiet and peaceful, not very large, with a pavilion in front of the temple, a relic from the Ming Dynasty, meaning 'a panoramic view of the lake and mountains.' There is a paid telescope next to it, which indeed allows a clear view of the beautiful Xianghu Lake. 🧩 The main hall, the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Bell and Drum Tower, the Reclining Buddha Hall, the Medicine Buddha Hall, the Circular Hall, the Dining Hall, and other buildings of Xianzhao Temple are very quaint and beautiful. Every spot is very photogenic. ⛰️ Place Name: Xianzhao Zen Temple 📍 Address: No. 132 Xianghu Road, Xiaoshan District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province 🚇 Transportation: Take bus 707/724M to the intersection of Nanliu Road and Jinxiu Road 🅿️ Parking: Free parking, self-driving recommended

Xianzhao Temple is not large in scale, and it takes about 20 minutes to walk around the entire temple. Behind the temple, there is the rebuilt 'Yilan Pavilion', which was once one of the eight scenic spots of Xianghu. However, the viewing angle beside the pavilion is now far inferior to that in front of the temple platform. In addition, the Vajra Pagoda inside the temple cannot be climbed, and can only be looked up at. The reasons for recommending this temple are: first, for burning incense and making wishes; second, the mountain road is quite interesting to drive on, although it's not long, with its winding paths, and a few hairpin turns require extra caution; third, it offers the best view overlooking the third phase of Xianghu, and from the platform behind the temple, one can also take in the urban and rural scenery of Xiaoshan Wenyan. A friendly tip: for those driving, simply navigate to 'Xianzhao Zen Temple' directly, and there is free parking in front of the temple.

Yesterday morning, I set off from Binjiang, Hangzhou, with my dog for a half-hour drive to Shiyanshan Financial Town in Xiaoshan, Hangzhou. I headed for the Yilanting Pavilion as directed by the navigation, parked the car, and found the entrance to the Xiyanshan Trail. Walking and stopping along the way, it took about 40 minutes to climb to the top and reach Xianzhao Temple. Named for being the first to be illuminated by the rising sun during the Southern Song Dynasty's Shaoxing years, Xianzhao Temple was built about 1000 years ago. From the temple, you can enjoy the view in front of you, overlooking the confluence of the three rivers - the Qiantang River, the Fuchun River, and the Puyang River - and the full view of Xiang Lake. It's truly breathtaking, incredibly awesome and beautiful. There were many tourists coming up to check in, some climbed up like us, while many others drove directly. However, driving up can be inconvenient due to the rest day, as parking is not very easy. I saw quite a few private cars parked on the hillside, which is always not safe enough. Besides Xianzhao Temple, you can also visit the Xianzhao Temple Tea Garden and the ruins of Yilanting Pavilion. I had previously checked in at Siwuling, where you can see three rivers at a glance, but the view from Xianzhao Temple on Shiyanshan is even better. It's so beautiful. I had never been here before, and I was so out of the loop.

| How can you miss the plum blossoms in Xianghu Lake! ! . There are two main places to enjoy plum blossoms in Xianghu Lake 1Yuefeng Tower Self-driving: Navigate to Xiyuan Yuefeng Building parking lot; you can also directly Free parking opposite the airport Subway: Take Line 1, Xianghu Subway Station, Exit C, transfer to Bus 701 (Outer Ring) and get off at Yuefenglou Bus Stop There is a large plum blossom forest here, which is worth visiting. After playing, you can drive directly to the top of Xianghu Lake for 10 minutes, Xianzhao Temple, where you can overlook the entire Xianghu Lake. Across the road from Xiyuan Yuefeng Tower is the entrance to the mountain. You can also climb directly up the mountain to reach Xianzhao Temple, 50 minutes 2Xianghu Chuyangtai Self-driving: Xianghu Road Parking Lot Metro: Take Line 1, Xianghu Subway Station, Exit C, transfer to Bus 797H, and get off at Laohudong Village Entrance There are not many plum blossoms here, only a few, and they are beautiful for taking photos, but if you are not driving, it is not worth going all the way there. It is more appropriate to choose the first type, Yuefeng Tower. The temperature in Hangzhou is relatively low these days, so wear more clothes and a down jacket with a hood is still necessary.

Navigation: Xianzhao Temple 1️⃣If you just want to go to the temple and are too lazy to climb the mountain, you can just follow the navigation to drive to the top of the mountain. The parking lot at the top of the mountain 🅿️ is free. 2️⃣ If you just want to take a short hike, take the main road and navigate to Boyaxuan. (Next to Kaiyuan Senbo) Parking is available on the roadside. 3️⃣If you want to enjoy the scenery along the way, take the tree-lined greenway steps up the mountain and navigate to 📍Hangzhou Wahaha Xianghu New Century Mingting Resort Hotel, 🅿️parking is free. Next to the hotel lobby is the entrance to the Xishan hiking trail Metro and bus: Get off at Renmin Road Subway Station on Line 2, take bus 707 to Yuefeng Building and walk 500 meters. Or take Metro Line 2, get off at Xianghu Station and take a taxi for 15 RMB. Those who travel by bus can also go up the mountain from Wahaha Xianghu New Century Mingting Resort Hotel and then go down the mountain to Hushan Square bus stop. The scenery of this place is nice. It is really beautiful with few people. You can go there for a walk when you have nothing to do on weekends. You can also bring your children. It is not very intense and not very tiring. It’s the weekend soon, so you can make plans!