How Long Does It Take to Walk Around West Lake?

West Lake is a must-visit tourist destination in Hangzhou. West Lake is not large, but it is full of spirit and elegance. Touring West Lake is not just about seeing the lake and water; the scenic spots and historical sites around the lake are also worth appreciating. If you have enough time, you can enjoy each attraction one by one. If you don’t have time, you can also walk around West Lake. The road around West Lake is about 14.6 kilometers long. It takes an adult male 3.5 hours to walk a full circle, which is about 21,000 steps.

Transportation

It is best to take public transportation to visit West Lake. Come out from Exit C1 of Longxiangqiao Station or Exit E of Fengqi Road Station on Metro Line 1 and walk for 5 minutes to reach West Lake.

Tips for Walking Around West Lake:

West Lake is crowded with tourists all year round. It is best to choose early morning or evening for brisk walking around the lake to avoid peak times.
The circle around West Lake is lined with weeping willows, camphor trees, and other tall trees, providing shade. However, summer in Hangzhou is hot, so pay attention to hydration when brisk walking around West Lake.
There are many retail and convenience stores around West Lake, so there is no need to worry about having no place to buy water and food. You can travel light for your brisk walk.
It doesn’t make much difference whether you go clockwise or counter-clockwise, just follow your habits and preferences.
The essence of Hangzhou is scattered around West Lake, such as the Lianheng Memorial Hall, West Lake Expo Museum, Yue Fei Temple, Breeze-ruffled Lotus at Quyuan Garden, Hangzhou Flower Nursery, Guo Zhuang, Leifeng Pagoda, Zhejiang Art Museum, China Academy of Art, West Lake Museum, etc. While brisk walking, you can also stop to visit these classics and take a break.
Standing at the Guo Zhuang Water Pavilion, you can take in the two pagodas and one pavilion of West Lake. From left to right, they are Baochu Pagoda, Chenghuang Pavilion, and Leifeng Pagoda.

Published at: Apr 30, 2020 · Modified at: Jan 14, 2026