With spring in the air and the weather warming, many are planning trips to the beautiful West Lake this March. To help visitors enjoy a smooth and stress-free experience, we’ve created a comprehensive guide to bus travel to and within the area.
To manage traffic congestion, Hangzhou Public Transport will implement traffic restrictions in the West Lake Scenic Area on weekends and statutory holidays between March and May. From 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on these days, access for small passenger vehicles will be limited based on license plate numbers. Vehicles with odd-numbered license plates will be permitted to enter on odd-numbered calendar days, while vehicles with even-numbered license plates will be permitted on even-numbered days. This policy applies to all small passenger vehicles, including those with electrical/hybrid vehicle license plates, temporary license plates, and license plates from outside Hangzhou. To accommodate travel needs, Hangzhou Public Transport has developed a variety of bus transfer options, aligned with the Notice on the Implementation of the West Lake Scenic Area’s Time-based Traffic Management and Service Plan.
A new option is the “taxi/ride-hailing + bus” combination for exploring the southern route of the West Lake. Since March, Hangzhou Public Transport has optimized the Litaizu Bay No. 157 Shuttle Line, extending its route to Hupao. This line conveniently connects Taiziwan Park, Su Causeway, Hangzhou Zoo, and Hupao, allowing visitors to easily enjoy the stunning flowers at Taiziwan and the tranquil woodlands of Hupao and Hangzhou Zoo.
For those taking a taxi to the Lingyin Scenic Area, seamless bus transfers are available at the parking lot at No. 608 Xixi Road or the Xiaoyawu bus station, significantly improving travel efficiency.
To accommodate drivers, several bus transfer parking lots are strategically located around the West Lake Scenic Area. In the north, options include the Hangzhou Chengxi Leisure Park, the Provincial People’s Congress Hall, the Huanglong Vanke Center, and the Huanglong Sports Center (weekends excluded). In the southeast, Shangcheng Lixing and Shannanyin provide transfer services. Each location offers direct bus connections to 12 major attractions. Additionally, Hangzhou Public Transport provides bus transfer points at the 12 closest subway stations surrounding the West Lake, offering last-mile connections to the scenic area. Visitors can utilize the Hangzhou Public Transport app for detailed route information.
During the spring peak season, tour buses are required to park and transfer outside the West Lake Scenic Area. Hangzhou Public Transport offers tour bus transfer services at the Jiangtaishan Parking Lot, Hangzhou West Bus Station Parking Lot, and the Fancun Parking Lot, streamlining access to attractions within the scenic area for group tours.
