Why Visit Xixi National Wetland Park

About 5,000 years ago, a flash flood occurred, and the water rushed into the lowland part and became a lake. In the periods of drought, the lake disappeared, and a wetland appeared. In the Song Dynasty, the government built Xixi Town near the wetland, so Xixi Wetland came into being.

Located in the west of Hangzhou City and occupying about 10 square kilometers, Xixi National Wetland Park, also known as Xixi Wetland Park, is China's First National Wetland Park combining urban life, ecological resources, and cultural wetland together. For its rich ecological resources, amazing natural scenery, and brilliant culture, the Xixi National Wetland Park was recognized as an International Important Wetland in 2009 and a National AAAAA Scenic Area in 2012. In addition, it was listed in Three Wonders in Western Hangzhou with West Lake and the Xiling Society of Seal Arts. Many streams, moderate temperature, and fresh air in Xixi National Wetland Park attract birds and animals to reside here. The emperors and officials, as well as ancient poets, also like to visit this idyllic garden, leaving lots of poems and articles to describe the beauty of the Xixi Wetland Park. Some scenes of the famous Chinese film If You Are the One (非诚勿扰) were shot here.

Layout of Xixi National Wetland Park

Xixi National Wetland Park is divided into three parts - the east part, the central part and the west part. The east part is the main tourist area of this park. It enjoys more natural scenery spots like Hazy Fisher Village (烟水渔庄), Anchorage Thatching (泊庵), Deep Pool Mouth (深潭口), Xixi Plum Villa (西溪梅墅), Plum and Bamboo Manor (梅竹庄园), Xixi Water Atti (西溪水阁), etc., and you could go sightseeing by boats or electric bicycles. Visiting west part of Xixi National Wetland Park enables you to have a cultural Tour because it includes a village for experiencing folk culture.

Xixi National Wetland Park Highlights

Three Causeways

Fu Causeway (福堤): Fu Causeway (Fu means “good fortune” in Chinese) stretches 2300 meters from south to north. Being an ecological and cultural causeway, it connects the main attractions and links with 6 Fu Bridges.

Green Causeway (绿堤): Just as the name suggests, Green Causeway is located in a sea of green plants. Here you take a look at Xixi Wetland Plants Garden, which enjoys strange aquatic grasses and wild flowers. It is an important site for some experts to research.

Longevity Causeway (寿堤): Longevity Causeway is the longest causeway of the three, with a length of 3600 meters. Standing in this causeway offers you a good view of densely crisscrossed watercourses and a century-old wooden wharf.

Hazy Fisher Village

With dense weeping willow, mist-shrouded water and smoke from the chimney constituting a charming hazy picture, this small village got its poetic name of Hazy Fisher Village. Walking along the road on the bank, you can smell a slight fragrance given off by some unknown plants. It's recommended to stop by one of the riverbank teahouses, unwind, and enjoy a cup of tea while taking in the peaceful surroundings. In this village, you could have a deep exploration of Hangzhou Silk, farming, fishing, local weddings and folk customs because there are special exhibition halls for you. Restaurants are available there.

Xixi National Wetland Park Xixi National Wetland Park in Autumn
Xixi National Wetland Park Pictureque Hazy Fisher Village

Anchorage Thatching

Boarding on the wooden wharf and walking through a path in the bamboo forest, a small hut on a straw hat comes into your eyes. This hut is Anchorage Thatching which was the residence of Zhou Xiaozhi, a hermit in the late Ming Dynasty and early Qing Dynasty. He concentrated on reading without any appetite to seek fame or official ranks. He and his two brothers live in a simple life and enjoy reading and farming. In that time, this hut was hidden in the thick reeds. Looking from above, the thatching looks like an island floating on the water.

Xixi Plum Villa

Xixi Plum Villa is a group of traditional farmhouses situated in the southwest part of Xixi National Wetland Park and near Autumn Snow Thatching. Plum blossom of Xixi has been well-known from ancient times. In the South Song Dynaty, many literati always came here and had fun. A small wooden house in the manor has tea, coffee and other drinks for sale.

Xixi Thatched Cottage

Xixi Thatched Cottage is a small but exquisite yard. The ground is scattered with green grass and surrounded by bamboo fence. The white wall is shaded by the verdant bamboo. A peaceful picture made by old well, stone seat, grape trellis and swallows unfolds in front of you. The former owner of this cottage is a famous literate called Feng Mengzhen (冯梦真).

Xixi National Wetland Park Peaceful Anchorage Thatching Xixi National Wetland Park Xixi Plum Villa

What to Do at Xixi National Wetland Park

Watching Dragon Boating Event

In the Dragon Boat Festival (Chinese Lunar 5th May), nearby villagers will gather in Xixi National Wetland Park and join a great event. It is said that Emperor Qianlong once watched the performance and dragon boating in Xixi Wetland Park and praised “What a Grand Event!” As a result, Hangzhou people have celebrated this event for more than 500 years. Traditional opera, Kungfu Show, dragon dancing, and lion dancing will take place in the ancient stage of the park. Most highlight of that day is the dragon boating competition. Hundreds of villagers will take part in the competition, and hundreds of boats will shuttle back and forth.

Appreciating Flowers in Xixi Flower Fair Festival

Xixi Flower Fair Festival is a big day in the Xixi National Wetland Park. It occurs on the Chinese lunar 15th February. According to the legend, Flower Fairy will come down to earth on that day and color the flowers and decorate the charming Hangzhou. In order to share the beauty of flowers, the Flower Fair Festival is held every year. With the theme of “love, happiness, beauty and charm”, a lot of activities will be launched. While you are savoring a mass of flowers in different colors and different shapes, you can also have a good time with your family and friends.

Xixi National Wetland Park Beautifully-designed Dragon Boats Xixi National Wetland Park Colorful Flowers during Flower Fair Festival

Recommended Visiting Routes of Xixi National Wetland Park

Cruise Tour: It is suggested you start your wetland tour from Zhoujia Wharf. Taking an electric boat or sculling boat to Xixi Plum Blossom Villa, you will experience a rural amorous feeling. Then transfer to the Xixi Water Pavilion to have an overlook of this huge wetland. On your way to your next destination - Autumn Snow Thatching, you could cross the reeds. At last, get back to Zhoujia Wharf and the tour ends. The whole journey covers about 2 hours

Walking Tour: Walking is a good way to explore Xixi National Wetland Park more deeply and stretch your legs. Start from Zhoujia Village and walk to Plum and Bamboo Manor. Then turn to Anchorage Thatching and Hazy Fisher Village to feel the local folk custom. Crossing Xiaogu Bridge, you will get to Hezhu Street. After replenishing energy in Jiangjia Market, go to Hongzhong's Former Residence, Lihang Temple, Wondering Stream Hut, Gaozhuang, Yulin Town. After that, visit the top attractions - Xixi Water Pavilion, Xixi Plum Villa, Xixi Thatched Cottage and leave from Zhoujia Village. The walking route covers about 8 km and you need to spend 4 hours finishing it.

Xixi National Wetland Park Location & Transportation

Where is Xixi National Wetland Park

Xixi National Wetland Park is located in the west part of Hangzhou city, about 20 kilormeters away from Hangzhou city center and 12 kilometers away from the Northeast Gate of the West Lake in Hangzhou.

  • From Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport: about 43.5 km (1.5-2 hours by car) away
  • From Hangzhou East Railway Station: about 19 km (1 hour by car) away
  • From Hangzhou Railway Station: about 14.5 km (1 hour by car) away
  • From Hangzhou West Railway Station: about 9 km (0.5 hour by car) away
  • From Hangzhou South Railway Station: about 24 km (50 mins by car) away
  • From West Lake: about 12 km (1 hour by car) away
  • From Lingyin Temple: about 8 km (0.5 hour by car) away

How to Get to Xixi National Wetland Park

Xixi National Wetland Park can be reached by metro, city bus, taxi, and private car. Metro Line 19 makes a stop at Xixishidi North Metro Station, which is about 250m away from Xixi National Wetland Park, and Metro Line 3 also stops here at Xixishidi South Metro Station, which is about 350m away from it.

Xixi National Wetland Park Map Xixi National Wetland Park Location Map
(click to enlarge)

Travel Xixi Wetland Park with China Discovery

If you want to get rid of hustle of public transportation and troublesome navigation, it's highly suggested to travel with us China Discovery. As part of our comprehensive tour packages, we offer convenient pick-up & drop-off at airports and train stations, as well as seamless transportation between all scenic spots on your itinerary. Once you book our service, you'll bid farewell to travel-related worries, with a knowledgeable tour guide, satisfactory accommodation and dining and so on. You just need to focus on sightseeing. So, don't hesitate to contact us and let us take care of all your travel needs in China.

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How to Travel around Xixi National Wetland Park

Three kinds of transportation are available for visiting Xixi National Wetland Park.

Electric Boat: There are four wharfs in the park, and you can buy tickets in the ticket office of each wharf. The boat will have a stop at every wharf so you can get off to enjoy the beautiful scenery. You have only four opportunities to get on the boat. The ticket is CNY 60 per person.

Sculling Boat: Renting a sculling boat, you will have a rather free tour and you are able to choose to turn in any direction you want. The rental fee for one sculling boat is CNY 100 per hour, and one boat can hold up to 6 people.

Electric Bike: Tourists are not permitted to take their own bikes to the park, but you cant rent an electric bike inside the scenic area. However, there is no specific biking trail there. Compared with biking, boating and walking are more popular.

Xixi National Wetland Park Electric Boat Xixi National Wetland Park Sculling Boat

Warm Tips for Xixi National Wetland Park

1. Long-sleeved clothes are necessary to prevent mosquito bites. Because the tree branches are rather low in Xixi National Wetland Park, any might scratch your umbrella; it is more advisable to protect your from rain or strong sunlight.

2. The park will stop selling tickets (for park admission and boat tickets) at 1.5 hours before the close time.

How to Plan a Hangzhou Tour

Things to Do in Hangzhou: West Lake, Lingyin Temple, Longjing tea Plantation, Hefang Street, Xixi National Wetland Park, China National Tea Museum, China National Silk Museum…

How to Get to Hangzhou: International flights from Singapore (5 hrs.), Seoul (6.5 hrs.), etc., domestic flights from Guangzhou (2 hrs.), Beijing (2 hrs.), etc., or high speed trains from Shanghai (1~2 hrs.), Suzhou (1.5~3 hrs.), Huangshan (1.5~2 hrs.), etc.

Best Time to Visit Hangzhou: all year around

Usually, visitors spend 2 days around to enjoy a classic Hangzhou tour to visit the West Lake Scenic Area, including the amazing West Lake, Lingyin Temple, Longjing Tea Plantations, etc. If you want an in-depth Hangzhou tour, you can also pay another half day or so to visit Xixi National Wetland Park, one day around to Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, or one day or so to Thousand Islands Lake, etc. Check all Hangzhou Tours >>

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Besides, compared with just travelling Hangzhou, most of the visitors prefer to travel the metropolis Shanghai, Suzhou Gardens and Hangzhou Lakes in One Go! Such an amazing tour will take 5~6 days.

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Some visitors also ride a high speed train to Huangshan to visit the world-famous Yellow Mountain. A Hangzhou Huangshan tour needs about 5 days around.

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