Hangzhou Xixi Wetland: Off the Beaten Path Rowboat & Stroll

From oar boat to classical garden, one waterway threads through a thousand-year wetland secret – Xixi, where you'll find Hangzhou's quietest beauty.
When people come to Hangzhou, West Lake is the first thing that comes to mind. And yes – it's stunning. But it's also packed. Broken Bridge is crowded, Su Causeway is shoulder-to-shoulder, and every photo has strangers in the background. If you're looking for somewhere quieter, more authentic, and off the beaten path – right in the heart of Hangzhou – Xixi Wetland is the answer.

Xixi isn't just another park. It's China's first National Wetland Park and a UNESCO-recognized Wetland of International Importance – the only one that blends urban life, farming, and pristine wetland ecology. It's been around for over 1,800 years, serving as a retreat for poets, painters, and anyone seeking peace.

Our oar-boat tour takes you deep into Xixi's maze of waterways – narrow creeks, hidden ponds, and endless reed beds. You'll glide past ancient wooden houses, working fishing villages, and persimmon orchards with over 15,000 old trees.

We strongly recommend the oar boat over the electric boat – it takes you through less-traveled channels with no glass blocking your view. The boatman gently moves a single oar, and the boat glides silently across the water. You feel like you're "sailing on the water, wandering through a painting." Even in summer, the dense trees and bamboo along the banks form a green umbrella, blocking the sun. As the boat turns into a narrow channel, cool breezes blow off the water – more comfortable than an air-conditioned room.

Once you step off, the best part begins. Your next stop is Shentankou – the widest stretch of open water, surrounded by greenery and silence. Many visitors photograph the old white wall with the famous inscription: "Xixi, stay forever" – left by Emperor Gaozong, meaning "Xixi is worth staying for." Next to it stands a thousand-year-old camphor tree, so thick it takes several people to wrap their arms around it.

Then follow the stone path into Hezhu Street – a narrow old lane of wooden houses and stone bridges. The scent of fresh snacks fills the air. Grab some Qian Shi Gao (rice cake) – sweet and chewy – and nibble as you wander. Climb the Hezhu Pagoda – not very tall, but from the top you see the whole wetland spread out below: winding waterways, grey-tiled white-walled houses scattered along the water's edge – like a quiet watercolor painting.

The final stop is Gaozhuang – a classical Qing Dynasty garden estate with rockeries, ponds, pavilions, and little bridges. You don't need to understand garden design to appreciate its beauty. After wandering through Gaozhuang, your Xixi journey comes to a perfect close.

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