Day trip or overnight from Hangzhou
Qiandao Lake
千岛湖
A vast 1959 reservoir dotted with over a thousand forested hilltops, ring-road cycling tracks, and submerged ancient towns.
Created in 1959 when the Xin'an River was dammed for a hydroelectric station, Qiandao Lake flooded a wide valley in Zhejiang's Chun'an County and turned more than a thousand mountain peaks into lush islands. While two ancient towns rest deep beneath the water, the surface is famous across China for its remarkably clear water, dramatic island-dotted vistas, and over 100 kilometers of paved lakeside cycling greenways.
Give yourself two days here to fit in both a boat cruise and a shoreline bike ride. Base yourself in Qiandaohu Town in Chun'an County, either near the Central Lake Pier for easy ferry access or along the Pailing Peninsula for quieter lakefront resorts. The lake sits directly on the high-speed rail line between Hangzhou and Huangshan. It is a stopover between those two cities, with nearby Jiande or the ancient village of芹川 (Qinchuan) working well as short side trips. It is a great match for cyclists, families, and travelers wanting a relaxed outdoor break, though anyone seeking historic architecture or uncurated wilderness may find the structured island boat tours underwhelming.
Updated 24 October 2026
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Plan your trip, freeHighlights
Meifeng Island, Lake Cruise, Qiandao Lake Cycling Greenway +2
Highlights
Meifeng Island, Lake Cruise, Qiandao Lake Cycling Greenway +2
01Meifeng Island
The premier viewpoint in the Central Lake Zone, where a short hike or cable car ride leads to a summit platform overlooking more than 300 tightly clustered green islets.
必看02Lake Cruise
Public sightseeing boats and private yachts depart from the Central and Southeast Lake piers, weaving through narrow channels between forested islands with stops at selected peaks.
必看03Qiandao Lake Cycling Greenway
A dedicated, color-coded network of paved bike paths stretching over 140 kilometers around the shoreline, crossing long lake bridges and passing quiet villages.
04Huangshanjian Island
The standout summit in the quieter Southeast Lake Zone, famous for a natural archipelago below that forms the Chinese character for 'world' when viewed from the peak.
05Tianyu Mountain Viewpoint
A mainland peak right in Qiandaohu Town equipped with outdoor escalators up the hillside, offering panoramic sunset views over the islands and the Qiandao Lake Bridge without needing a boat ticket.
Travel tips
Pick the right boat pier, Arrive early for public boats, Rent bikes in town +1
Travel tips
Pick the right boat pier, Arrive early for public boats, Rent bikes in town +1
Pick the right boat pier
The Central Lake Zone (departing from Central Lake Pier) has the classic Meifeng Island view but draws the biggest tour groups. For fewer crowds, head to the Southeast Lake Zone Pier for Huangshanjian Island instead.
Arrive early for public boats
Large sightseeing ferries run on fixed morning and early afternoon departure windows rather than continuous loops. Check departure schedules a day ahead and arrive at the pier early to secure upper-deck seating.
Rent bikes in town
You do not need to ride the entire 140-kilometer loop to enjoy the greenway. Rent a road bike or e-bike in Qiandaohu Town and ride the scenic Chunyang Line section for a few hours.
Check the weather before cruising
The signature archipelago views from Meifeng and Huangshanjian depend on good visibility. If thick fog or heavy rain rolls in, save your boat trip for another day and explore the shoreline instead.
How to get to Qiandao Lake
High-speed trains run directly to Qiandaohu Railway Station on the Hangzhou to Huangshan line, taking about 50 to 60 minutes from Hangzhou East, 45 minutes from Huangshan North, and roughly 2 hours from Shanghai Hongqiao. Note that the station sits in Wenchang Town, about 20 to 25 kilometers northeast of Qiandaohu Town; shuttle buses and taxis connect the station to the main lakefront hotels and piers in 30 to 40 minutes. The nearest major airport is Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, about a 2.5-hour drive or direct coach ride away.
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