Quyuan Fenghe (曲院风荷), covering an expansive 14 hectares, stands as a picturesque park along the shores of West Lake. It seamlessly connects with neighboring attractions such as Yuewang Temple, Guozhuang Mansion, Hangzhou Botanical Garden, forming a prominent part of the main tourist area in the northern stretch of West Lake. The main entrance to the park is opposite Yuewang Temple, but there’s also an entrance near Yadi Bridge at the northern end of Su Causeway. It is advisable to directly approach the main entrance by car, as the entrance along Su Causeway can be easily missed due to its subtle location.
In the Southern Song Dynasty, this area housed an official brewery producing Qu wine, using the stream water from Jinsha Jian, the largest natural water source in West Lake. The aroma of the wine and the fragrance of lotus flowers from the nearby ponds became renowned throughout the country. Hence, it earned the name “Quyuan Fenghe,” which translates to “A Place Where Music Plays and the Wind Carries the Fragrance of Lotus.”
While the brewery no longer exists, the lotus flowers have flourished even more splendidly. The park features numerous lotus ponds cultivating hundreds of varieties of lotus flowers. Among them, the Wind and Lotus Zone is particularly enchanting. The area is predominantly covered by water, adorned with varieties like red lotus, white lotus, heavy-terrace lotus, sprinkled-gold lotus, and intertwining lotus. Waterways are spanned by uniquely designed bridges, creating an illusion of strolling through a picturesque lotus pond, a sight that captivates the beholder. The park boasts excellent landscaping, and the shade under large trees provides a cool respite.
The best time to appreciate the lotus flowers at Quyuan Fenghe is during June and July. The early morning hours from 6:00 to 8:00 offer an ideal experience, as the lotus flowers, adorned with morning dew, exude a delicate charm. This period is also perfect for capturing the beauty through photography. If one visits during other seasons, the scenery may be limited to the rippling lake waters, lacking the vibrant lotus blooms, but even then, a leisurely stroll through the park is a pleasant experience.
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 24 hours a day throughout the year |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0571-87179603 |
Location and Transportation
Quyuan Fenghe Park is situated at 89 Beishan Street, Xihu District, Hangzhou, China. Specifically, it is located at the southeast intersection of Beishan Street and Yanggong Causeway. To get there, you can take bus 7, 27, 277, 510, West Lake Inner Ring Line or West Lake Outer Ring Line and get off at Yuefen Stop (岳坟站).
