Thousand Islets Lake (Qiandao Lake)

Thousand Islets LakeDid you ever want to escape from the bustling metropolis? Come to Thousand Islets Lake and experience something special.

With 81% of the area covered in forests, Thousand Islets Lake (Qiandao Lake) is a pure lake with clean, fresh air. It is a young lake formed in 1959 as a result of the construction of New Anjiang Hydroelectric Power Station. It is a beautiful lake with 1,078 islets showing different views in different seasons. It is a rich lake abounding with fish and surrounded by trees, tea, mulberry (the food of the silkworm) and other fruit trees. Qiandao Lake is also a delightful lake with many activities including enjoying the natural scenery and local culture, observing wild animals and taking part in many exciting activities.

Thousand Islets Lake lies in Chun'an County, about 150 km (93 miles) west of Hangzhou City and is 140 km (87 miles) southeast of Mt. Huangshan. It is a resplendent pearl in the classical golden route of Hangzhou-Thousand Islets Lake-Mt. Huangshan and has become popular all over the world.

Qiandao Lake is noted for its verdurous mountains, crystal clear water, exotic caves and strange stones. Nongfu (farmer) Spring Water, a famous mineral water brand, takes water from this lake. The Thousand Islets Lake scenic area can be divided into six sections on the basis of geographical location. They are: Southeast Lake District (the first to be developed), Central Lake District (combining several spots that should not be missed), Southwest Lake District, Northeast Lake District, Northwest Lake District and Fuxi Stone Forest (the first stone forest in East China), each possessing their own unique and striking landscapes.

Qiandao Lake in Hangzhou
In Southeast Lake District can be found Tianchi (heaven pool), a quarry site dating from the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), Xianshan (admiration mountain) Island, Guihua (sweet osmanthus) Island and Mishan (honey mountain) Island (The story of 'One boy is a boy, two boys half a boy, three boys no boy' originated here). In Central Lake District, there are Qiandao Lake Fishing Village, Meifeng (plum peak) Island, Wulong (five dragons) Scenic Area and the Animal Interest Section. On Meifeng Island, you can command views from a great height, experience grass-skiing, and boat down the water. Wulong Scenic Area is made up of Lock Island, Bird Island, Zhenqu (true delight) Garden and Qishi (strange stone) Island, which is connected by several bridges. Lock Island is a world of locks, including happiness lock, wisdom lock, health lock and carp lock. The first Lock Museum in China was built here, housing Safety Lock, the biggest lock in Guinness World Records. In the Animal Interest Section, peacocks, snakes, monkeys and ostriches can be seen. You can enjoy yourself by watching the animals performing, feeding them, playing with them and taking photos of them.

The best time to visit Thousand Islets Lake is in autumn and winter, when there is less rainfall. Fine weather, cool and fresh air and clear water are really enjoyable. Do sample the distinctively cooked seafood and some local food here. Take home souvenirs like inkstones, hemp embroideries and products made of pearls.

Thousand Islets Lake is currently the largest forest park in China. It has been awarded many titles and received favorable comments from tourists both at home and abroad. So, why not come and see for yourself!

 

How to get to Thousand Islets Lake

 From Hangzhou:

From Departure Time Ticket Price Duration
Xiaoshan Airport 10:20, 11:50, 13:20, 15:10, 17:10 and 19:00 CNY 90 3 hours
West Bus Station 06:00 - 18:50 with an interval of 20 - 50 minutes CNY 65 2 hours
Passenger Transport Central Station (Jiubao Passenger Transport) 7:00 - 18:20 with an interval of 30 - 50 minutes CNY 73 2 hours
East Railway Highway Bus Station 7:20 - 19:15 with an interval of 30 - 70 minutes CNY 73 2.5 hours
South Bus Station 7:45, 8:50, 9:55, 10:55, 11:55, 14:55, 15:55, 16:55 CNY 70/73 2 hours

 From Shanghai:
1. Take high speed trains from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station or Shanghai Railway Station to Qiandaohu Railway Station and then take regular buses to reach there.
2. Take a direct bus from Shanghai South Long Distance Bus Station. It departs at 8:27, 13;49. Ticket price is CNY 120 and duration is around 4 hours.
3. Take bus from Shanghai South Long Distance Bus Station to Hangzhou Passenger Transportation Central Station and then take regular buses to there.

 From Huangshan:
1. Take New National Express Bus from Yellow Mountain Scenic Area Bus Station. The buses are operated at 06:30 and 13:00.
2. Take the bus from Yellow Mountain Scenic Area Bus Station to Shexian. It departs at 12:20 and costs CNY 21 per person.  Upon arrival, you should change bus to Shendu and then take ferry to reach Qiandao Lake.
3. Take the bus from Huangshan Tunxi Bus Station to Shexian. Then, you can change bus to Shendu to take ferry.

 From Wuxi:
Take a direct bus from Wuxi Passenger Transport Bus Station (close to the railway station). It departs at 08:05. Ticket price is CNY 128.

 From Wenzhou:
Take bus from Wenzhou Shuangyu Bus Station. It operates at 08:50. Ticket price is CNY 135 and duration is around 5 hours.
Hangzhou Bus / Metro Search

Entrance Ticket Mar. - Nov.: CNY 130;
Dec. - Feb.: CNY 110;
Hafl price ticket for children from 1.2 to 1.5 meters (3.9 - 4.9 feet);
Free for children under 1.2 meters.

Notice:
The entrance ticket is valid for one day only. However, visitors can pay extra CNY 10 to make it valid for two days with their valid ID document before they use their ticket.
Opening Hours Mar. - Nov.: 8:00 - 17:00
Dec. - Feb.: 8:40 - 16:30
 

Sightseeing Boat

From the wharf in the Central Lake District

Luxury Boat: Ticket Price: CNY 65 for adults;
CNY 35 for children from 1.2 and 1.5 meters.

Morning Route: Meifeng (Plum Peak) Island, Yule Island and Yueguang Island
Ticket Hours: 08:00 - 09:00 (departing at 09:15); 09:30 - 10:30 (departing at 10:45)

Afternoon Route: Meifeng Island and Longshan Island
Ticket Hours: 12:00 - 13:00 (departing at 13:15); 13:00 - 14:00 (departing at 14:15)
Yacht Charter: CNY 150 per person or CNY 3,800 for a single trip
Boat Charter: CNY 1,950 per boat
 

From the wharf in the Southeast Lake District

Luxury Boat: Ticket Price: CNY 65 for adults, CNY 35 for children between 1.2 and 1.5 meters

Morning Route: Huangshanjian Island, Mishan (Honey Mountain) Island and Tianchi (Heaven Pool); or Guihua Inland, Tianchi Island, Huangshanjian Island
Ticket Hours: 08:00 - 09:00; 09:00 - 10:00; 10:00 - 11:00

Afternoon Route: Huangshanjian Island, Tianchi Island
Ticket Hours: 12:00 - 13:00
Yacht Charter: CNY 150 per person

Further Reading:
Thousand Islets Lake Cruise

Top 10 Things to Do in Hangzhou
12 Best Places to Visit in Hangzhou

- Last updated on Mar. 23, 2021 -
Questions & Answers on Thousand Islets Lake (Qiandao Lake)
Asked by Pat Edwards from AUSTRALIA | Jul. 14, 2020 23:53Reply
what are the 'exciting activities' (other than eating/sightseeing/photography) at Qiandaohu?
Answers (2)
Answered by Andrew from DENMARK | Jul. 19, 2020 19:11
00Reply


You are suggested to go to Qiandao Lake Water Park. There are several amusement facilities. Hope helpful!
Answered by Kat from CHINA | Jul. 21, 2020 17:03
00Reply


I know there is kayaking, hiking, ATVs, biking, hotair balloon rides, horseback riding, boating.. because I see them advertised in group travel packages. I just can't find information set up independently. Even the hotel concierge seems to have very little information.
Asked by Quinissa from INDONESIA | Nov. 08, 2019 18:16Reply
2 days Qiandaohu tickets
Hello, I bought ticket for Southeast Lake part today (130 yuan for the ticket and 65 for the boat). Can I use it again on the next day when I visit Central Lake part? I read that you can pay extra 10 yuan only, and then pay the boat fee for another 65 yuan. If yes, how does it work? Thank you
Answers (1)
Answered by Nina from THAILAND | Nov. 11, 2019 18:42
00Reply


Usually, the ticket is only valid for 1 day. But when you purchase the ticket, you can tell the staff you intend to play two days then you can enter the scenic area for free the next day, but you need to pay the boat fee again.
Asked by hasibuzzaman from BANGLADESH | Aug. 06, 2019 21:59Reply
i can not find the railway station in 12306 app ?
i can not find any details when i search ningbo to 高铁千岛湖站 Qiandaohu Railway Station
Answers (1)
Answered by Tyler from HONDURAS | Aug. 07, 2019 18:47
00Reply


Well, you can search again. I found one departs at 08:46 from Ningbo Railway Station. It takes around 2.5 hours on the way. The ticket fares of 1st Class Seat is CNY228, 2nd Class Seat is CNY138 and Business Cls. Seat is CNY427.5.
Asked by Sadashiva from INDIA | May. 26, 2019 01:27Reply
Hi, I will be visiting Qiandaohu with my family during Dragon boat festival for two days.
What are the places I must visit during 2 days. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Answers (2)
Answered by Sarah from AUSTRALIA | May. 26, 2019 23:38
00Reply


Central and southeastern lake areas are must visit places and each one takes at least one day.
Answered by Sadashiva from INDIA | May. 27, 2019 06:21
00Reply


Hi Sarah, thank you for your response.
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