Thousand Island Lake (Qiandao Hu)
Thousand Island Lake (Qiandao Hu)
4
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
499 reviews
Excellent
214
Very good
188
Average
79
Poor
12
Terrible
6
Stephen C
Singapore, Singapore1,141 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
This place is definitely worth a visit, especially for those staying in Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou as it is a nice place for a long weekend getaway. While it may be a bit of a drive to get there (over 4 hours from Shanghai), it is worth the drive if you enjoy water activities, island hopping, and picturesque sceneries.
We chose to chill at the hotel where there is a nice pool facing the majestic lake. Our hotel also has swimming access in the lake.
Other than water activities, the other attraction is food, where the numerous dishes prepared using the fresh fish from the lake
We chose to chill at the hotel where there is a nice pool facing the majestic lake. Our hotel also has swimming access in the lake.
Other than water activities, the other attraction is food, where the numerous dishes prepared using the fresh fish from the lake
Written August 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KodoDrummer
Buenos Aires, Argentina70,626 contributions
Oct 2019 • Business
Qiandao Lake is located in Chun'an County, Hangzhou City. At its highest level, there are 1078 over 0.25 square kilometers of over-bridge islands. Covers an area of 580 square kilometers. It is known for its great water, the national 5A-class scenic spot, and one of the world's three Thousand Islands Lake.
This feeling reminds me of Mr. Qian Zhongshu's words: "Now, Take a bath, To see a flower and eat a meal is to your liking mainly because you don't care if your bath is clean and your flowers are in good condition or because your heart is not troubled. "
This feeling reminds me of Mr. Qian Zhongshu's words: "Now, Take a bath, To see a flower and eat a meal is to your liking mainly because you don't care if your bath is clean and your flowers are in good condition or because your heart is not troubled. "
Written November 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fmsoo
Singapore, Singapore55 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
I find it interesting that not many updated English articles write much about how to get here, and how to get around a lake.
There is a high speed train you can catch to qiandaohu rather than hangzhou. Better still there direct trains from Shanghai hongqiao taking about 2.75 hours although not too frequent (or just change at hangzhou east station). From qiandaohu station it is a nice 30 minute taxi ride into the town.
Catching the ferries here requires you to get in very early. For the central islands (there is also south eastern islands), they depart from 9am for 3 islands although afternoon ferries (about 1pm) also run but just to 2 islands. Fares are from rmb65 (or 185 inc park fees) and as some articles point out, it is worth getting access to the upper deck for extra rmb48 for more comfortable seats and light snacks. Caveat, the ferries are all on Chinese, and there are more exclusive options available.
Coming in late April, the ferries depart as they are full (I waited 30 minutes for an empty ferry to fill up), and we were told to stick to the same ferry all day according to their schedule. A nice and relaxing 6 hours in total. Going to the cable car at the last island is worth it.
There is a high speed train you can catch to qiandaohu rather than hangzhou. Better still there direct trains from Shanghai hongqiao taking about 2.75 hours although not too frequent (or just change at hangzhou east station). From qiandaohu station it is a nice 30 minute taxi ride into the town.
Catching the ferries here requires you to get in very early. For the central islands (there is also south eastern islands), they depart from 9am for 3 islands although afternoon ferries (about 1pm) also run but just to 2 islands. Fares are from rmb65 (or 185 inc park fees) and as some articles point out, it is worth getting access to the upper deck for extra rmb48 for more comfortable seats and light snacks. Caveat, the ferries are all on Chinese, and there are more exclusive options available.
Coming in late April, the ferries depart as they are full (I waited 30 minutes for an empty ferry to fill up), and we were told to stick to the same ferry all day according to their schedule. A nice and relaxing 6 hours in total. Going to the cable car at the last island is worth it.
Written April 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zarza's Travels
Auckland, New Zealand1,000 contributions
Jan 2022 • Solo
Yep, a lake with islands. Not quite sure what else to say. Actually quite disappointed. Some lovely views, but not as easy to cycle as I had hoped, the track in large places was hard to find and was more of a road route than a lake one! It was good to see, but not somewhere I would rush back to. More places would be open during the summer months I imagine, although there was a level of feeling quite uncomfortable when views of the lake are ruined by big fun fair rides - felt a certain level of tacky tourism. Speaking of tourism, headed to the tourist information centre - again nothing there!
Written February 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MrMcBKing
Beijing, China225 contributions
Jun 2016 • Family
Lovely scenery but don't expect anything relaxing.
It's full of large tour groups of obnoxious, loud, non-stop smoking, unhygienic spitting tourists and the people working there are just as bad.
There are a large amount of huge ugly boats transporting 1000s of tourists to relatively small overcrowded islands where people just push and shove to get past while you try to dodge their spitting and cigarette smoke.
The boats have a racket going where you are forced to pay extra if you want to get out of the stuffy overcrowded lower deck onto the upper deck where you can walk around and enjoy the views. It's nothing but a scam run by every worker on every boat to get some extra cash.
The hotel I booked wouldn't let me stay there because I'm a 'foreigner'. This isn't the first time this has happened to me in China but in this day and age I wouldn't expect to get turned away from a hotel for being from another country.
Many will tell you that 'this is China' and it's a 'cultural thing' and this is 'how it is here' and 'all part of the charm,' and if this is how you like to spend your holidays, I salute you. But I've travelled to lots of places around China over a long period of time and I've given it my best shot but Chinese tourism just isn't for me.
There are lakes that offer a much more pleasant experience so skip this one and head there instead.
It's full of large tour groups of obnoxious, loud, non-stop smoking, unhygienic spitting tourists and the people working there are just as bad.
There are a large amount of huge ugly boats transporting 1000s of tourists to relatively small overcrowded islands where people just push and shove to get past while you try to dodge their spitting and cigarette smoke.
The boats have a racket going where you are forced to pay extra if you want to get out of the stuffy overcrowded lower deck onto the upper deck where you can walk around and enjoy the views. It's nothing but a scam run by every worker on every boat to get some extra cash.
The hotel I booked wouldn't let me stay there because I'm a 'foreigner'. This isn't the first time this has happened to me in China but in this day and age I wouldn't expect to get turned away from a hotel for being from another country.
Many will tell you that 'this is China' and it's a 'cultural thing' and this is 'how it is here' and 'all part of the charm,' and if this is how you like to spend your holidays, I salute you. But I've travelled to lots of places around China over a long period of time and I've given it my best shot but Chinese tourism just isn't for me.
There are lakes that offer a much more pleasant experience so skip this one and head there instead.
Written June 25, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bram_Cadsby
Guelph, Canada4 contributions
Jun 2012 • Family
My wife and I travelled to Qiandao Hu from Hangzhou with our two young children and several other adult family members. Our hotel (Greentown Resort) was very nice and great value for money. However, everything else about the trip was extremely disappointing.
One taxi driver said to us: "In Qiandao Hu, our job is to find ways to take money from tourists. Your job as a tourist is to give me your money." This surprising candour was absolutely accurate. Taxis have meters, but they were never on. Instead drivers would name all kinds of different prices to travel an identical distance. It is impossible to find out how much it should cost to take a cruise on the lake. There is a set price to enter the Qiandao Hu National Park of (in June 2012) 150 RMB. However, we were unable to find the price of a cruise listed on the internet or in any brochure either in English or Chinese. Agents sell tickets in hotels and seem to name whatever price they think they can get. In our case, the agents provided no official receipt except for the park entrance fee. The cruise itself stopped at many of the former mountains that are now islands in this man-made lake. The islands were each set up with theme-park like gimmicks to extract more money from tourists. Neither we nor our children found them to be of any interest. Fortunately, we did not pay the large sum to order lunch on the boat. It looked disgusting and was prepared outside on the deck in unsanitary conditions. If you must take this cruise, bring your own food. Afterwards, the agent selling cruise tickets at the hotel admitted that the cruise wasn't very enjoyable and that the lunch was terrible. However, she said that since all the other cruise companies provided the same lack of service, there was no reason for her company to do better.
The concierge in the hotel told us that most restaurants in the city have one menu for locals and another more expensive menu for tourists. There are a few exceptions. Be careful and seek advice from your hotel concierge if possible.
At the bus terminal in Hangzhou, we were told that young children ride the bus for free, but must sit on a parent's lap if no seats are available. On our return, we decided to buy them seats. We were told this would cost half of an adult fare. We paid the money in advance, but were given no tickets or receipts. The bus was full and the children were still forced to sit on the lap of a parent. On our return, we checked at the Hangzhou terminal and were told there was no such half-price ticket. The ticket seller presumably just pocketed the money. All of these transactions were conducted in Chinese by native Chinese speakers. None of our problems were the result of language misunderstandings.
About two weeks after this trip, my wife and I were fortunate to visit the Bay of Islands in New Zealand. I have visited the Thousand Islands along the Canada-US border many times. Qiandao Hu may mean Thousand Islands Lake, but it does not compare with these destinations. If you are in Hangzhou, spending the weekend exploring Xi Hu (the West Lake) would be a much more enjoyable use of time.
One taxi driver said to us: "In Qiandao Hu, our job is to find ways to take money from tourists. Your job as a tourist is to give me your money." This surprising candour was absolutely accurate. Taxis have meters, but they were never on. Instead drivers would name all kinds of different prices to travel an identical distance. It is impossible to find out how much it should cost to take a cruise on the lake. There is a set price to enter the Qiandao Hu National Park of (in June 2012) 150 RMB. However, we were unable to find the price of a cruise listed on the internet or in any brochure either in English or Chinese. Agents sell tickets in hotels and seem to name whatever price they think they can get. In our case, the agents provided no official receipt except for the park entrance fee. The cruise itself stopped at many of the former mountains that are now islands in this man-made lake. The islands were each set up with theme-park like gimmicks to extract more money from tourists. Neither we nor our children found them to be of any interest. Fortunately, we did not pay the large sum to order lunch on the boat. It looked disgusting and was prepared outside on the deck in unsanitary conditions. If you must take this cruise, bring your own food. Afterwards, the agent selling cruise tickets at the hotel admitted that the cruise wasn't very enjoyable and that the lunch was terrible. However, she said that since all the other cruise companies provided the same lack of service, there was no reason for her company to do better.
The concierge in the hotel told us that most restaurants in the city have one menu for locals and another more expensive menu for tourists. There are a few exceptions. Be careful and seek advice from your hotel concierge if possible.
At the bus terminal in Hangzhou, we were told that young children ride the bus for free, but must sit on a parent's lap if no seats are available. On our return, we decided to buy them seats. We were told this would cost half of an adult fare. We paid the money in advance, but were given no tickets or receipts. The bus was full and the children were still forced to sit on the lap of a parent. On our return, we checked at the Hangzhou terminal and were told there was no such half-price ticket. The ticket seller presumably just pocketed the money. All of these transactions were conducted in Chinese by native Chinese speakers. None of our problems were the result of language misunderstandings.
About two weeks after this trip, my wife and I were fortunate to visit the Bay of Islands in New Zealand. I have visited the Thousand Islands along the Canada-US border many times. Qiandao Hu may mean Thousand Islands Lake, but it does not compare with these destinations. If you are in Hangzhou, spending the weekend exploring Xi Hu (the West Lake) would be a much more enjoyable use of time.
Written July 21, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Abramis
Hangzhou, China2,245 contributions
Jan 2015 • Family
I have visited Qiandao Lake twice. First visit was during September and second in January. The benefit of going during winter is smaller number of visitors. Summer months (June to August) are too hot.
Lake is pretty and it is 4 hours driving distance from Shanghai and less than 2 from Hangzhou. So this destination is well suited for 2-3 days holiday. Service is not good outside of hotels, unless you can speak decent Chinese.
Go for group tour in a boat (Ming hu is good boat), if you want to save money. It is good idea to include lunch in the boat. Most ships do the regular island trip where you go for several different islands (Snake island etc.). You need good feet to climb to boats and in islands. So island tour may not fit the youngest kids so well.
Fishes are tasty. It is possible to rent a boat just for yourself, but this can be pricier. Better hotels do also offer cruises, but prices are high. Even RMB 150 per person for 1 hour.
Next time I am going to rent a boat with fishing equipment and go after da tou yu (big head fish). By the way, this fish is worth eating when in this area!
Chun'an county is well worth a visit also for the laowai. Do stay only in the better hotels (Hilton, Sheraton etc.). This as the service level in local hotels is truly non existing. Also many restaurants are rather bad with inflated prices.
Lake is pretty and it is 4 hours driving distance from Shanghai and less than 2 from Hangzhou. So this destination is well suited for 2-3 days holiday. Service is not good outside of hotels, unless you can speak decent Chinese.
Go for group tour in a boat (Ming hu is good boat), if you want to save money. It is good idea to include lunch in the boat. Most ships do the regular island trip where you go for several different islands (Snake island etc.). You need good feet to climb to boats and in islands. So island tour may not fit the youngest kids so well.
Fishes are tasty. It is possible to rent a boat just for yourself, but this can be pricier. Better hotels do also offer cruises, but prices are high. Even RMB 150 per person for 1 hour.
Next time I am going to rent a boat with fishing equipment and go after da tou yu (big head fish). By the way, this fish is worth eating when in this area!
Chun'an county is well worth a visit also for the laowai. Do stay only in the better hotels (Hilton, Sheraton etc.). This as the service level in local hotels is truly non existing. Also many restaurants are rather bad with inflated prices.
Written January 11, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ric Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia208 contributions
The lake's location is quite remote. It's about a 2-hour drive from Hangzhou. The only activity worth doing is the boat cruise. The journey will take 3 hours. It makes stops at 2 islands, both with opportunities to spend money. Each stop will last about 45 minutes. This is the programme if you go with a local tour company. There are small speedboats for private hire but I didn't try those so I can't comment. The lake is so big that it looks like the sea from the boat. If you have been to Halong Bay in Hanoi, the scenery resembles that but the waves are stronger here. I highly recommend a visit but once is enough.
Written December 20, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fredrick Or
Singapore, Singapore24 contributions
Mar 2018 • Family
A very rare and beautiful place. Lots of islands to see. Every island is a different experience. You can take the simple or Luxury ships or private yatch. We took the 伯爵号 Bo Jue Hao, luxurious, clean and beautiful. Managed to get the ship tickets at RMB-280 per pax. Definitely worth the experience! For kids 1-1.2m, it is RMB-100. You can take the simple or Luxury ships or private yatch. We took the 伯爵号 Bo Jue Hao, luxurious, clean and beautiful. Managed to get the ship tickets at RMB-280 per pax. For kids 1-1.2m, it is RMB-100. Definitely worth the experience! =)
We came during 16-18 March. It was cold (around 15 deg) but we like it. On rainy days, visibility is low. But when there is no rain, can still see the green islands.
The best time to visit (according to the locals and pics on the web) is during June to Sep every year, where the weather is warmer and lots more greenery to see.
We came during 16-18 March. It was cold (around 15 deg) but we like it. On rainy days, visibility is low. But when there is no rain, can still see the green islands.
The best time to visit (according to the locals and pics on the web) is during June to Sep every year, where the weather is warmer and lots more greenery to see.
Written March 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sculthorpe-Pike
Brisbane, Australia71 contributions
Jul 2011 • Friends
This was part of our company office outing. We left our Hangzhou hotel early - around 7.00 and climbed on a dilapidated bus. foregt aircon at the back and any seats that became available were quickly filled by what appeared to be just general passengers. Lord knows where they came from but they got on and off at the most weird place, like at the side of a motorway! Many hours later, after the ubiquitous pearl shop/silk shop stop we were herded (no better word) on to mass transit boat for a ferry ride to three of the islands connected to each other by floating walkways. The walk through these was nothing short of horrific and I spent the whole time wondering why I was there at all. my advice - do not take a Chinese tour to this place. I used to think ICT meant information and communication technology but I realise it stands for 'insane Chinese tourism' - and that's what this was. I cannot believe that anyone on ANY of the mass tours who overran the islands enjoyed their day. I'm equally sure that the organisers were deighted with the day. If you must have a look a perfectly ordinary man-made lake with the tops of former mountains showing, then go out of season (if there is such a time in tourist-mad China), and book everything privately - car, small boat, private restaurant. This was probably the worst trip I've had in China. I exaggerate not!
Written August 25, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Your best option is by direct train. You can check on several online portals like ctrip or chinatrainguide for details, especially which train station. Once you get to qiandao lake train station, it is another 30 minutes by taxi.
Written August 4, 2019
Can cater car journeys Of about 8-9hrs ; can take high speed train to hangzhou and take a coach or charter bus to lake will be cheaper and faster. Lastly can take a flight from Pudong/ hongqiao airport to Hangzhou and then follow by car or bus .. as from Hangzhou it is about 1.5 to 2 hrs from Hangzhou area to thousands island lake southward. Hope it help .. but you can use Apxxx or Gxxx map with local transport option to see what is best for you or China Baidu APP ( but in Chinese ) if you understand Chinese.. sometime good to compare different apps too see which one is logical and best for you..
Written April 22, 2018
I would like to spend a day sights seeing , is the ticket cost of the boat covered
hop in and hop out of 3 islands?
warmest regards
Written June 13, 2017
Yes, there are several operations, ranging from 480 yuan to 200 yuan. The trips include island hopping and meals too
Written July 28, 2017
Hi
I am thinking of visiting Qiandao lake and would like to see the underwater city. I have been googling, but can seem to find any viable diving companies to go to this site. Do you know any companies to use?
It will be just my partner and I, we are both AOW and have roughly around 40dives each. We speak no chinese, please help ahah!
Thanks
Natalie
Written May 2, 2015
I seen advertising for diving, but here it would be unlikely there would speak English. Also safety would be of concern, the sites would not have the safety levels as they do in Europe
Written July 28, 2017
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