Xixi Wetland, Hangzhou
Hangzhou Xixi Wetland | A Jiangnan Sanctuary in the Heart of the City's Green Lung
I. Core Highlights: A Symphony of Ecology and Culture for Poetic Living
1. Natural Endowments
Ecosystem:11.5 square kilometers of wetland waters, encompassing marshes, rivers, lakes and7 wetland types — the world's first national wetland park integrating urban, farmland and cultural wetlands.
Biodiversity: 187 bird species have been recorded (such as egrets and black-crowned night herons), along with45 fish species and366 aquatic plant species. Tens of thousands of migratory birds pass through each autumn and winter; the Lianhuatan Birdwatching Area in the Eastern Zone provides free binoculars for visitors.
2. Historical Heritage
A Thousand Years of Farming Civilization:6000 ancestors fished and farmed here as early as years ago. Traditional agricultural landscapes such as mulberry-dyke fish ponds and persimmon-dyke fish ponds still remain, while the Jiangcun dragon boat race and Wuchang Eighteen Martial Arts are listed as national intangible cultural heritage.
Footprints of the Famous: Su Shi dredged the wetland during his tenure as Hangzhou's vice prefect; the Qianlong Emperor stopped here on his six southern tours; and the Qingping Shantang site, where Hong Sheng composed The Palace of Eternal Life, has been restored and opened to the public.
3. Architectural Aesthetics
Water Street Community: Hezhu Street retains its Ming and Qing dynasty architectural character, with bluestone pathways linking teahouses, taverns and handicraft workshops where you can try traditional crafts such as bamboo weaving and indigo dyeing.
Garden Sanctuary: Gao Manor (former residence of the Kangxi Emperor's tutor) is famed for its winding-water seclusion layout; Xixi Thatched Cottage recreates the scene of Ming dynasty literati in hermitage, forming a tranquil retreat amid the surrounding reed beds.
II. Seasonal Activities:2025 年 4 In-depth Experiences This Month
1. Xixi Flower Festival (3 月 24 –- 5 月 11 )
Twelve Flower Deities Parade: Daily at 10:00-11:00, “flower deities” in Hanfu stroll along the Green Dyke, interacting with visitors and gifting custom-made flower cards.
Intangible Heritage Kite Festival:4 –4 –- 6 ,12 ,13 ,19 ,20 A kite-making workshop is held on the Green Dyke lawn (50 yuan/ /person), with professional artisans flying giant kites such as the “dragon-head centipede.”
Flower Market: On weekends, Song-dynasty-style tea stalls and cultural creative craft booths open. Recommended: “Xixi bamboo-weave” small flower basket (38 yuan) and fire-persimmon scented sachet (25 yuan).
2. Hong Garden Mystery Tour — “Song Dynasty Hairpin Order” (Every Sat & Sun,13:00-16:00）
Immersive Script-based Tour: Visitors take on the role of a “Hairpin Gentleman,” completing poetry chain games and pitch-pot challenges at scenes such as the Hong Mansion and Jingyuan Historic Site, with the “Most Beautiful Hairpin Gentleman” crowned and awarded a certificate.
Song-style Costume Rental: The scenic area offers faithfully restored Hanfu (88 yuan for/ 3 hours), including hairstyling, perfect for shooting period-style photos in Hong Garden.
III. Practical Guide: Make the Most of Your Wetland Visit
1. Getting There
Metro:3 Line to “Xixi Wetland South Station” (A Exit, straight to Zhoujia Village entrance in the Eastern Zone) or “Huawu Station” (10 -minute walk to the East Gate).
Bus:7 Routes193 ,356 to Zhoujia Village;130 Route to Wujiawan (Hong Garden entrance).
Driving: Zhoujia Village Parking (5 yuan for/ hours,40 yuan cap) — arrive before9:00 recommended; Hong Garden Longshezui Parking (8 yuan for/ hours) usually has more availability.
2. Tickets & Opening Hours
Admission:
Adult ticket 80 yuan (covers Eastern and Western Zones); free with the Hangzhou Park Annual Card.
Electric sightseeing boat 60 yuan/ /person (full loop,4 stops); hand-rowed boat100 yuan for/ hours (Zhoujia Village) or150 yuan for/ hours (Hong Garden).
Opening Hours:
Eastern Zone:7:30-18:30（4 –1 日 - 10 –7 );8:00-17:30（10 –8 日 - to3 –31 of the following year).
Hong Garden:8:30-17:30（16:30 last admission at .
3. Suggested Routes
3 3-Hour Classic Tour:
Morning: Take the electric boat from Zhoujia Village Pier→ Yanshui Fishing Village (watch cormorant fishing) → Shentankou (filming location of If You Are the One).
Afternoon: Try Dingsheng cake on Hezhu Street→ stroll along Fu Dyke → photograph the gardens of Gao Manor.
5 5-Hour In-depth Tour:
Morning: Rent an electric cart at the Hong Garden entrance→ cycle along Shou Dyke (passing six bridges including “Zhixue” and “Erli”) → Jingyuan Historic Site (Ming and Qing architecture complex).
Afternoon: Visit the Hong Clan Ancestral Hall to learn about this prominent Qiantang family→ enjoy Kunqu opera excerpts at the Hong Sheng Memorial Hall → afternoon tea on a hand-rowed boat (Meishu Pier, book3 days in advance).
4. Off-peak Tips
Best times: Weekdays before 9:00 or after15:00 to avoid tour groups; on weekends, arrive at Zhoujia Village Pier before10:00 .
Fast Track: Purchase the “Impression Rowing Package” (288 yuan for/ hours) includingVIP lounge access, saving30 minutes of queuing.
IV. Exclusive Visitor Benefits
1. Cultural Value
Intangible Heritage Crafts:
Hezhu Street “Bamboo Weaving Workshop” — try your hand at weaving a bamboo basket (68 yuan/ per person, take your finished piece home).
Learn a Yueju opera excerpt at the Shentankou Ancient Stage (30 yuan/ per person, costume photo included).
Art & Culture:
China Wetland Museum (free admission),40 m observation tower with panoramic views of the wetland.
Xixi Art Village hosts regular contemporary art exhibitions (advance booking required).
2. Exclusive Perks
Combo ticket: Xixi Wetland + Songcheng package328 yuan (save100 yuan), including the Songcheng Romance show.
Shopping vouchers: on the “Xixi Wetland Mall” mini-program, claim the “Spring Special Coupon” for200 off when you spend30 yuan or more (cultural-creative products only).
3. Hidden Gems
Photo spots:
Qiuxue Nunnery: take a boat through the water forest, then climb to the top for symmetrical shots of the reed marsh against the sky.
Hongyuan Dongguan Lotus Pond: in summer, when the lotus blooms, frame your shot with the winding bridge in the foreground to capture “endless emerald lotus leaves reaching the sky.”
After dark:
The Fu Causeway section is 18:30 lit up, with Water Margin–themed lanterns mirroring beautifully on the water — ideal for blue-hour night photography.
Every Friday and Saturday evening, 19:00a guqin gathering is held at Tinglu Studio on Hezhu Street (38 yuan/ per person, one cup of fine tea included).
5. Insider Tips from Locals
Early-bird perk:7:30-8:30 Head to “Jiangcun Market” for breakfast — try scallion-wrapped crispy bread (5 yuan) and Dingsheng cake (4 yuan) and skip the overpriced tourist restaurants.
Off-the-beaten-path sights:
Xixi Plum Villa:2 plum blossoms are in full bloom in late , when white walls, dark tiles and red blossoms form a living ink-wash painting.
Xixi Wetland Botanical Garden: the underwater ecology corridor lets you get up close to aquatic plants — perfect for family-friendly learning.
Hidden food picks:
Shentankou Old Stove Restaurant: Xixi Wetland fish balls (38 yuan) and stir-fried marsh shrimp (68 yuan), all sourced from wetland eco-farming.
Shanshe Café: osmanthus latte (35 yuan), with a terrace overlooking North Peak — a lovely spot for an afternoon break.
