Wushan Square (吴山广场), covering an area of 80,000 square meters, stands as one of the large squares in the main urban area of Hangzhou. It is also one of the city’s closest squares to the West Lake waters. Located in the southeastern part of West Lake in Hangzhou, Wushan Square offers picturesque views of the lake and the Qiantang River. Notable attractions like Hefang Street, the Hangzhou Museum, and the Southern Song Imperial Street are in close proximity to the square.
The Wushan mountain range, stretching and undulating, extends into the city area, bordered by the Qiantang River on the left and overlooking the West Lake on the right, making it a renowned scenic spot in Hangzhou. In ancient times, Wushan marked the border of the Wu State during the Spring and Autumn period, giving it its name. Additionally, some attribute its name to Wu Zixu, leading to the alternative name, Xushan. In the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, or possibly during the Song Dynasty, a Chenghuang Temple was built on the mountain, leading to another name – Chenghuang Mountain. Today, it is commonly referred to as Wushan.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Wushan Square
- Vlog about Wushan Square
- Attractions near Wushan Square
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 0.5 – 1 hour |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 24 hours a day |
Location and Transportation
Wushan Square is located at 1 Yan’an Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. It is situated in close proximity to the central area of Hangzhou, aligning north-south along Yan’an Road and complementing the bustling Wulin Square in the city center. To get there, you can choose one of the following ways:
Bus: Take bus 4 or 38 and get off at Hehua ChiTou Stop (荷花池头站)
Metro: The closest metro station to the attraction is Wushan Square (吴山广场) on line 7. After getting out of the station from Exit D, you will be standing right at the entrance.
Highlights of Wushan Square
Hefang Street: Time-Tested Traditions
At the foot of Wushan, Hefang Street stands as an integral part of the historic Qinghefang area, showcasing the essence of Hangzhou’s old city. Spanning 1800 meters, the street is paved with smooth grey flagstones, creating a nostalgic atmosphere. Key attractions include the former residence of Hu Xueyan, a prominent figure in Chinese business history, and the Zhu Bingren Copper Art Museum. Hefang Street is a culinary haven, featuring stalls offering traditional delicacies such as Ding Sheng Cake, stinky tofu, duck in soy sauce, soy-stewed pork, and steamed river prawns with salted pork. Historic establishments like Kong Fengchun Fragrant Powder Shop and Zhang Xiaoquan Scissors add to the street’s rich heritage. Additionally, visitors can explore unique museums like the World Coin Museum and the Ancient Ceramic Museum.
Chenghuang Pavilion: A Majestic Landmark
Perched within the Wushan Tianfeng Scenic Area, Chenghuang Pavilion stands tall as a multi-layered architectural marvel, reaching a height of 41.6 meters. This imitation ancient tower seamlessly blends Yuan and Ming architectural styles. The pinnacle of Chenghuang Pavilion features a gourd-shaped bottle, while four secondary pinnacles showcase phoenix designs, resembling a flock of soaring phoenixes. Adjacent to the ticket office stands a grand granite relief, “Wushan Scenery,” measuring 27 meters in length and 6 meters in height. Depicting the festive scenes of the Southern Song Dynasty era, it vividly captures the lively atmosphere surrounding Chenghuang Temple during celebrations and Wushan Temple fairs.
Bird Market and Flower Exhibition: A Symphony of Nature
Wandering through Wushan, visitors are enchanted by the “Bird Market” and “Flower Exhibition.” Along the mountain road, diverse birds perch on trees, stone pillars, and cages. From warblers and mynahs to parrots and canaries, these feathered companions fill the air with melodic tunes, creating a picturesque avian orchestra. In the past, Wushan was known for bird fighting. Enclosed in cages, two birds engaged in spirited battles, with the victor proudly chirping while the defeated one remained silent, head bowed in defeat.
