[2025 Hangzhou Restaurant] Travel Guide for Lou Wai Lou (Gushan Road Branch) (Updated Jul)

🌅 **Day 1: West Lake Circuit + New Night Tour Experience** **Morning: Classic Lake Scenery** - **06:30 Broken Bridge in Winter** Beat the crowds early to capture the ink-wash style morning mist and enjoy the distant reflection of Baochu Pagoda. - **07:30 Biking on Bai Causeway** Rent a shared bike (scan with Alipay) to ride along the lake, stop by Pinghu Qiuyue and Wenlan Pavilion, and admire the lotus leaves stretching to the sky. - **09:00 Quyuan Fenghe (Lotus in the Breeze at the Crooked Courtyard)** Free admission! Walk the Nine-turn Bridge to photograph “fish playing among lotus leaves,” and enjoy lotus leaf Longjing tea at the Lotus Fragrance Tea House (15 RMB/cup). **Noon: Hangzhou Cuisine** - **Lou Wai Lou (Gushan Road Branch)** Must-order West Lake Vinegar Fish + Dongpo Pork (80 RMB per person), with lakeside window seating. **Afternoon: Island and Pagoda Viewing** - **13:00 Three Pools Mirroring the Moon** Book the “1 RMB discounted boat ticket” in advance (via West Lake Tourism official WeChat), board the island and scan the stone pagoda AR to learn about Song Dynasty hydrology. - **15:00 Leifeng Pagoda** Climb to the top for panoramic views of West Lake (ticket 40 RMB), stunning at sunset with Buddha’s light and evening glow. **Evening: Immersive Night Tour** - **19:30 West Lake AR Night Tour** Friday only! Watch the holographic revival of Xu Xian and Bai Suzhen on the lake in front of Overseas Chinese Hotel, and redeem a digital commemorative stamp. - **Late Night Snack: Hefang Street** Try Ding Sheng Cake (5 RMB), Longjing Lotus Root Starch (10 RMB), and shop for handmade oil-paper umbrellas (30 RMB). --- 🍃 **Day 2: Zen Tea Secrets + Off-the-Beaten-Path Summer Escape** **Morning: Lingyin Cold Spring** - **07:30 Lingyin Temple** Enter right at opening, buy an 18-bead bracelet (46 RMB), avoid crowds and explore Song Dynasty cliff inscriptions with AR explanations. - **09:00 Yongfu Temple** Free admission! Enjoy a charity cup coffee (latte 28 RMB), and overlook West Lake from Taoguang Tea House. **Noon: Mountain Tea Meal** - **Longjing Village “Tea Farmer’s Home”** Experience tea picking (30 RMB/person), and savor tea-flavored scrambled eggs + Longjing shrimp (50 RMB per person). **Afternoon: Green Wilderness Adventure** - **13:30 Jiuxi Smoke Trees Hiking** Free to walk through maple and poplar forests, cool off by stepping in the creek, ending at Jiuxi Eighteen Streams. - **15:00 Maojiabu Secret Spot** A real-life Green Wilderness! Take ancient-style photos under towering dark green pavilions, quiet and less crowded. --- 🏨 **Accommodation and Tips** - **Cost-effective Stay**: Nanshan Road Boutique Homestay (200 RMB/night, near West Lake) - **Transportation**: Get Hangzhou Metro QR code via Alipay, best to use shared bikes + walking inside scenic areas - **Summer Cooling Tips**: - Play outdoors early morning, hide in museums at noon (recommended Zhejiang Art Museum with free air conditioning) - Bring neck fans + cooling patches, wear non-slip sandals for wading - **Avoid Scams**: - Decline “free guides” outside Lingyin Temple, check anti-counterfeit labels when buying tea in Longjing Village > 💡 **Itinerary Highlights**: Classic lake circuit + tech night tour on day one, zen and wild charm combined on day two, designed to avoid crowds and queues, tested average daily steps 18,000! > **Budget Breakdown**: Tickets 156 RMB + meals 250 RMB + transport 40 RMB ≈ 446 RMB (economy estimate). 📊 Core Attraction Opening Hours and Fees | **Attraction** | **Opening Hours** | **Ticket Price** | **Tips** | |----------------|-------------------|------------------|-----------------------------| | Lingyin Temple | 7:30-18:00 | 75 RMB | Includes Feilai Peak, arrive early to skip lines | | Leifeng Pagoda | 8:00-20:00 | 40 RMB | Best to climb at sunset for evening glow | | Three Pools Mirroring the Moon Boat | 8:30-17:00 | 55 RMB | Book 1 RMB discounted tickets in advance | | Quyuan Fenghe | All day | Free | Lotus blooms until end of July |～

#discoverchina Perched at the foot of Gushan Hill beside the scenic West Lake, Lou Wai Lou (楼外楼) is one of Hangzhou’s most historic and beloved restaurants, renowned for serving classic Zhejiang cuisine in a setting steeped in tradition. A Legacy Since 1848 Founded in 1848 during the Qing Dynasty by scholar Hong Ruitang, Lou Wai Lou began as a humble lakeside eatery and gradually grew into a culinary institution. The name, meaning "a building beyond a building," reflects both its physical charm and its layered cultural significance. Over the decades, it has hosted emperors, poets, and world leaders, becoming a symbol of Hangzhou’s refined food culture. Must-Try Dishes Lou Wai Lou is best known for its signature Hangzhou dishes, including: West Lake Vinegar Fish (西湖醋鱼): A sweet-and-sour freshwater fish dish that captures the essence of local flavour. Dongpo Pork (东坡肉): Braised pork belly that's rich, tender, and full of historical flavour. Beggar’s Chicken (叫花鸡): A traditional dish wrapped in lotus leaves and clay, baked to juicy perfection. Longjing Shrimp (龙井虾仁): Delicately stir-fried shrimp infused with West Lake’s famous Dragon Well tea. Dine with a View With its classic architecture and open-air terraces, Lou Wai Lou offers stunning views of West Lake, especially during sunset. The atmosphere is both tranquil and elegant, perfect for a special meal that combines natural beauty with culinary mastery. Visitor Info Location: 30 Gushan Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou Opening Hours: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM Reservation Recommended: Especially on weekends and holidays Dining at Lou Wai Lou is not just about the food—it’s about experiencing a piece of Hangzhou’s cultural soul through taste, history, and scenery. #LouWaiLou #HangzhouEats #WestLakeViews #ZhejiangCuisine #ChineseFoodCulture #HistoricRestaurants

🌸 March only! A detailed guide to a one-day trip to Lou Wai Lou, Hangzhou, for peach blossom viewing 🌸 🚶♀️ Itinerary 🌞 Morning: A feast of peach blossoms at Gushan 📍 08:30 Meet at the entrance of Gushan Road 🚇 Transportation: Take Subway Line 1 to Longxiangqiao Station, then transfer to bus WE1314 to Xiling Bridge 👉 Cycling recommended! Ride a shared bike along Beishan Street and enjoy the picturesque scenery of the lake and mountains (🚲Peach groves along the way) 📍 09:00 The secret peach blossom wonderland in front of Lou Wai Lou 📸 Photo spots: 1️⃣ "Lakeside Peach Corridor" on the left side of the main entrance of Lou Wai Lou (🌸Branches hanging over the lake!) 2️⃣ "Peach Blossoms and Rocks Reflected in the Waves" by Xiling Bridge (🌉Bridge + peach grove + Three Pools Mirroring the Moon in one frame) 💡 Photography tips: Shoot from a low angle looking up to avoid crowds, and use the lake reflection for composition! 📍 10:30 Exploring Gushan ✔️ Climb up Zhongshan Park for a panoramic view of the peach blossoms (⛩️Red walls and pink flowers are a perfect match) ✔️ The ancient stone steps of "Hongxue Path" at Xiling Seal Society (🎋Moss-covered stone steps + fallen petals create a great atmosphere) 🍜 Lunch: Spring flavors of West Lake 📍 12:00 Classic Hangzhou cuisine at Lou Wai Lou 🍽️ Must-try dishes: ▫️ Longjing shrimp (🍤Fragrant tea leaves + springy shrimp) ▫️ Songsao fish soup (🥘Warm and savory, spring-limited edition with bamboo shoots!) ▫️ Peach blossom Dingsheng cake (🌸Soft and glutinous, Lou Wai Lou exclusive) 🚤 Afternoon: A tour by land and water 📍 13:30 Rowing across the peach blossom lake 🚤 Take a boat from Xiling Bridge Pier (💰150 yuan/hour, can be shared by 4 people) 🌊 Route: Xiling Bridge → Jindui Bridge → Bai Causeway (🛶Row through the "water flower corridor" with low-hanging peach branches) 💡 Hidden service: The boatman will stop in the middle of the lake for you to take photos of the "peach blossom reflection"! 📍 15:00 Stroll along Bai Causeway and enjoy the flowers ✔️ "Double Wonder of Peach Blossoms and Moon" at Pinghu Qiuyue (🌙Pavilions and towers + scattered peach groves) ✔️ Zhejiang Provincial Museum (Gushan Branch) to see the "Peach Blossom Themed Cultural Relics Exhibition" 🖼️ (March special exhibition!) 🌆 Evening: Romance of sunset and night cherry blossoms 📍 17:00 Viewing platform at Xiling Seal Society 🌅 Capture the silhouette of Leifeng Pagoda + golden-edged peach blossoms (📱Filter: Qingtu "Twilight") 📍 18:30 Night cherry blossom experience 🎑 Lanterns light up in the backyard of Lou Wai Lou, transforming the peach grove into a pink starry sky (✨Open every Friday/Saturday evening) 📌 Practical tips 🌸 Blooming forecast: Peak bloom from March 10-25 (Rainy days with fallen petals covering the lake are breathtaking!) 👗 Outfit suggestions: Light-colored Hanfu/New Chinese style + pearl hair accessories, bring a reflector for fill light! 🚫 Things to avoid: ❗ Window seats for afternoon tea at Lou Wai Lou are only available after 14:00 ❗ Don't touch the peach blossoms floating on the lake! There might be water spiders 🎁 Souvenirs: "Peach Blossom Stationery" from Xiling Seal Society, Lou Wai Lou peach blossom pastry gift box 🚗 Return transportation 🚌 The last boat departs at 18:00. It is recommended to take bus No. 7/Wulin Night Market Express from Yue Temple 🚖 Taxi pick-up location: "Gushan Park parking lot" to avoid traffic jams at Xiling Bridge Come to Hangzhou in March and experience the timeless romance of "faces and peach blossoms reflecting red" at Lou Wai Lou!

At Louwailou on the banks of West Lake, you can enjoy the ultimate feast of Jiangnan flavor. The fresh **West Lake Vinegar Fish** has the right amount of sweet and sour and melts in your mouth; the classic **Dongpo Pork** is fat but not greasy and has a fragrant aroma; the refreshing **Longjing Shrimp** is a perfect blend of the fragrance of tea and the freshness of shrimp; the rich **Fish Soup** has a mellow soup that warms the heart and stomach; and there is also the legendary **Beggar's Chicken**, which has a crispy skin and tender and juicy meat. Each dish is ingeniously prepared, allowing you to appreciate the essence of Jiangnan cuisine and experience the poetry and charm of West Lake.

I have long heard of the fame of Louwailou on Gushan Mountain in West Lake, Hangzhou. Last autumn, I was attracted by it when I passed by it during an early morning walk in West Lake. Opposite the building, there is a small fence around the West Lake, with a note saying that the fish in the water are for the use of Louwailou. In my impression, how can one person enjoy a West Lake vinegar fish? After eating it, will the stomach still have room for other delicacies? I saw a small portion on the menu, so I asked for it. I was greedy and ordered the other dishes. After the dishes were served, I found that the food was exquisite. Even after a few dishes, I would not be so full that I could not eat anything else for the whole day. I went on Sunday at noon, and there weren't too many people to wait for a table. If you go by bus, you can get off at Yuefen Station. After enjoying lunch, in addition to taking a walk by the lake, you can also visit the century-old Xiling Seal Society next to it (free) to continue to experience the cultural atmosphere.

Zhejiang century-old word of mouth old shop, come to Hangzhou must punch card! Sitting on the West Lake Yayun born on the bank of the West Lake, often heard a folk song, "Chengxiang Tianxiang Building, outside the city outside the building" folk songs. Originally built in 1848, this century-old shop is located at the foot of the Lonely Mountain. The Xiqiao Seal Society, which is a collection of literati, is just a wall. If you want to have a meal with your family, it's a good place. Like what Longjing shrimp, oily Dongpo meat, sour and sweet Song carp "The first floor of the wind is sipping

"When the West Lake vinegar fish is beautiful, it is the only building outside Hangzhou." There are many criticized restaurants on the Internet, but the location is really good. Of course, I have to admit that I am very cheesy to feel the style of "a century old shop." Hangzhou cuisine, the reputation must be West Lake vinegar fish, a layer of oily sweet and sour, typical Jiangsu and Zhejiang flavors, of course, not good taste all in personal taste. There is also a flower chicken, the building outside the building is improved, using the local characteristics of "Yueji", Shaoxing wine, Xihu lotus leaf processing, will be slaughtered and washed the original only "Yuji" plus various spices, Fill the chicken belly with seasoning, then wrap it with the lotus leaves and clam shells of the West Lake, and then wrap a layer of altar mud with Shaoxing wine feet and salt water, and simmer for three or four hours in a simmer. When the customer was eating, the whole mud group was taken to the restaurant and opened on the spot. Because it is sealed and grilled, it keeps the chicken's original juice and original flavor. In addition, it is baked with local famous wine and mud. The mellow smell of the wine is roasted into the chicken after being fired. When the mud is opened, a fragrance comes out. Adding to the taste of this nutritious dish, it has become a traditional Hangzhou dish that people want to try.