How to Get from Hangzhou to Qiandao Lake: High-Speed Train in Just 41 Minutes, Transfers from Qiandao Lake Station to the Pier, and the 160 km Drive

The fastest high-speed train from Hangzhou to Qiandao Lake takes just 41 minutes: take the Hangzhou–Huangshan high-speed railway from Hangzhou West Station to Qiandao Lake Station. On weekdays, there are over 20 departures a day, and a second-class seat costs about ¥54–62. Hangzhou East Station also has direct trains, taking 50 minutes to just over an hour. However, Qiandao Lake Station isn't right on the water—you'll need another 20 to 30 minutes by car after exiting the station to reach Qiandao Lake Town and the piers. Driving from West Lake to Qiandao Lake Town is about 160 km; with smooth traffic it takes around two hours, making it ideal for families or itineraries where you want the freedom to stop along the lake.

The train schedules and fares in this article were compiled from 12306 queries made on November 10, 2026, for services on Wednesday, November 18. Distances are calculated using the OpenStreetMap road network. Station transfer information comes from public sources and may change, so please check the latest local announcements before your trip.

Three ways to get there—see which suits you best

High-speed train plus transfers: Best for one or two travelers or small families with light luggage staying in Qiandao Lake Town. The train itself is fast and punctual, but including both ends, door-to-door travel from West Lake to the lakeside pier takes about two and a half hours.

Driving yourself: Best for groups of three or more, those visiting several lake areas and viewpoints, or guests staying at a lakeside resort. Qiandao Lake has a long shoreline and its attractions are spread out, so having a car once you arrive gives you much more freedom.

Private car or group tour: Best for those traveling with seniors or children, first-time visitors, or anyone who doesn't want to figure out transfers and parking. A round-trip day tour to Qiandao Lake means a tight schedule, and a private car or group tour can time the Hangzhou-to-pier leg precisely.

High-speed train: Fastest from Hangzhou West Station, also available from Hangzhou East Station

Qiandao Lake Station is on the Hangzhou-Huangshan High-Speed Railway. Opened on December 25, 2018, it's located in Wenchang Town, Chun'an County. On November 18, there were 23 trains from Hangzhou West Station to Qiandao Lake Station between 7:49 AM and 9:00 PM, most taking 41 to 48 minutes. Second-class seats cost about ¥54–62 and first-class about ¥90–100. There were 11 trains from Hangzhou East Station to Qiandao Lake Station between 7:15 AM and 10:09 PM, taking 50 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes, with second-class seats around ¥71–72. A few trains also run from Hangzhou South Station.

For the return trip, there are 18 trains from Qiandao Lake Station to Hangzhou West Station between 7:03 AM and 8:13 PM, and 14 to Hangzhou East Station between 6:10 AM and 9:12 PM. Second-class seats cost about ¥45–72, varying significantly by train. If you're doing a day trip, note the times of the last few trains and schedule your lake activities earlier in the day.

Which Hangzhou station to depart from mainly depends on where you're staying. If you're north of West Lake, near Xixi Wetland, or in the western part of the city, Hangzhou West Station is more convenient—just take Metro Line 19 or Line 3. If you're near Hubin, Wulin Square, or Chengzhan, Hangzhou East Station has fewer trains but simpler transfers. For metro directions to both Hangzhou stations, see our article Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport to the City Center.

Getting from Qiandao Lake Station to Qiandao Lake Town and the piers

This is the most easily overlooked leg of a high-speed rail trip to Qiandao Lake. The station is over 20 kilometers from Chun'an County seat, also known as Qiandao Lake Town—about 23 km by road, which takes just over 20 minutes in good traffic. After the station opened, local authorities set up several transfer options: an express shuttle to Qiandao Lake North Bus Station, priced at ¥5 when launched, and a tourist shuttle bus to the county seat, which cost ¥10 and took about 30 minutes when introduced in 2019. Routes and fares may have changed since then, so follow the signs and staff instructions at the station upon arrival.

After exiting the station, you can also take a taxi or ride-hailing car directly to your hotel or the Central Lake Area pier. If you have lots of luggage or need to catch the first cruise, a taxi is more reliable. For groups of three or four, splitting a taxi costs about the same as the shuttle buses. If you're staying at a lakeside resort, ask in advance whether they offer station pickup.

The pier is where your Qiandao Lake tour begins. Most visitors board boats at the piers in Qiandao Lake Town to visit islands in the Central Lake Area, such as Meifeng Island and Longshan Island. Cruise schedules are tight during peak season, so buy your boat tickets first, confirm your boarding time, and then work backward to plan your train and transfer times—not the other way around.

Driving: 160 km, good roads, scattered attractions

Driving from West Lake to Qiandao Lake Town is about 161 km according to OpenStreetMap data. You'll mostly take the Hangqian Expressway, and with smooth traffic it takes around two hours. There are service areas along the expressway, perfect for a rest stop. Once you reach Qiandao Lake, the lakeside loop road and greenway offer beautiful scenery, but there are many curves, so drive slowly.

Holiday bottlenecks occur at both ends: the expressway entrance leaving Hangzhou and parking in Qiandao Lake Town. During National Day, Labor Day and summer vacation, parking near the town's docks is very tight, and some roads may be temporarily closed off. A safer bet is to park at your hotel, walk or take a taxi around town, and skip driving to the docks.

Qiandao Lake is great for cycling. The lakeside greenway has plenty of flat stretches where you can stop and enjoy the lake. If you're driving, you can rent a bike in town for a ride, then drive on to the next viewpoint.

Visitors from overseas, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan should note: foreign driver's licenses cannot be used directly in mainland China. You'll need to exchange it for a Chinese license or apply for a temporary driving permit, subject to local traffic police regulations. If you don't have a mainland license but still want the freedom of self-driving, consider hiring a private car instead—a driver handles the wheel while you set the itinerary.

Watch the station name when buying tickets: search for "Qiandao Lake" station on 12306, not "Chun'an." Jiande Station is also on the same line near Qiandao Lake, so don't book the wrong stop. On holidays and weekends, morning trains from Hangzhou and afternoon returns sell out fast—book as soon as your dates are set.

Long-distance buses and traveling from Shanghai

Hangzhou West Bus Station runs long-distance buses to Qiandao Lake. The ride takes just over two hours and costs less than the high-speed train, making it a good option if you're staying in western Hangzhou and aren't in a hurry. Schedules and fares are subject to what the station posts on the day.

You can also take a direct high-speed train from Shanghai to Qiandao Lake. On November 18, there are 14 trains from Shanghai Hongqiao Station to Qiandao Lake Station; the fastest takes 1 hour 57 minutes, most run between 2 and 2.5 hours, and second-class seats cost about ¥159–161. Shanghai South Station has 11 trains, with second-class seats around ¥149–163. Compared with changing trains in Hangzhou, a direct service saves you a transfer and is much easier if you have luggage. For private car options from Shanghai, see Shanghai to Qiandao Lake by private car.

After you reach the pier: choosing a lake area and islands

Qiandao Lake covers a huge area, and visitors usually head to either the Central Lake Area or the Southeast Lake Area. The Central Lake Area is closer to Qiandao Lake Town. Meifeng Island offers a climb up for panoramic views of the islands, while Longshan Island is home to Hairui Temple, built in memory of the official Hai Rui. It's ideal for first-time visitors with only one day. In the Southeast Lake Area, Huangshanjian is famous for its view of more than 90 islands arranged to form Chinese characters meaning "the world belongs to all." It's farther away, so it suits itineraries where you stay overnight and have time to spare.

Besides taking a boat to the islands, you can ride an elevator up Tianyu Mountain Viewing Platform near Qiandao Lake Town for lake views and sunsets, or cycle along the lakeside greenway. If your time is limited, pick one main focus: either a boat tour to the islands, or cycling and viewpoints around the lake. If you want both, stay overnight and split them across two days.

Tips for visiting Qiandao Lake with seniors and kids

Getting from Hangzhou to the islands involves train stations, shuttle buses, docks, and ferries—plenty of transfers. If you're traveling with seniors, leave time on each leg for walking and restroom breaks. The dock and boat decks can be wet and slippery, so help them when boarding and disembarking. Many spots on the islands require climbing stairs, so older visitors with limited stamina should stick to flat trails or rest near viewing platforms instead of trying to reach every viewpoint.

If you're bringing kids, note that it's windy and sunny on the ferries, so pack hats, sunscreen, and a light jacket. Prepare motion sickness remedies before departure if they get carsick or seasick. Keep a close eye on children near the water and agree on a meeting point in case you get separated. A round trip to Hangzhou in one day is tiring for kids, so stay overnight if possible.

Day trip or overnight stay?

A day trip from Hangzhou to Qiandao Lake is totally doable, but only enough for "one boat, one island": take the high-speed train around 7 or 8 am, arrive at the dock after 9 am, tour the Central Lake Area and one island in the morning, grab a quick lunch, cycle part of the greenway or visit a viewing platform in the afternoon, then head back to Hangzhou around 5 or 6 pm. If you want to see the sunset, the island views of "Tian Xia Wei Gong" from Huangshan Peak, or visit more islands, you'll need to spend a night at Qiandao Lake.

The advantage of staying overnight is enjoying the lakeside both morning and evening: watch the sunset from a viewing platform at dusk, and wake up to mist over the lake with beautiful light. For how to plan your island route and choose a ferry on a Qiandao Lake day tour, see our Qiandao Lake day tour travel guide; for seasonal scenery and highlights, see How to explore Qiandao Lake in every season. For opening hours and transport info, check the Qiandao Lake scenic area page.

Where you stay also affects your transport plans. Staying in Qiandao Lake Town makes dining, reaching the dock, and catching shuttles easy—ideal for travelers arriving by high-speed train. Lakeside resorts offer better views, but most are a drive from town and inconvenient without a car, so ask whether the hotel provides a shuttle before booking. For specific options, see our Qiandao Lake hotel recommendations.

Qiandao Lake also works as a transit point for Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Qiandao Lake Station sits on the high-speed rail line from Hangzhou toward Huangshan. On November 18, there are 30 trains from Qiandao Lake Station to Huangshan North Station, with the fastest taking just 36 minutes. After exploring Qiandao Lake, you can continue west to Huangshan without returning to Hangzhou. If you have a lot of luggage, you can also book a private car for the Hangzhou–Qiandao Lake–Huangshan leg and make extra stops by the lake along the way.

Seasons and weather: when is the best time to visit

Spring and fall are the best seasons for Qiandao Lake, with comfortable temperatures and clear water. In autumn, Hongye Bay, the ginkgo trees and the colorful lakeside forests are all stunning. The lake area is cooler than downtown Hangzhou in summer, but the sun is strong during the day and there's no shade on boat decks, so bring sun protection. It gets windy on the lake in winter, and both the boats and islands are cold, so dress warmly.

During the plum rain season and typhoons, the lake can get rough, and boats may be temporarily suspended or rescheduled. On rainy days, prioritize islands and attractions with indoor areas, or move your lake cruise to the next day. Check the weather forecast and pier notices the day before you leave—it's much easier than changing plans once you arrive at the pier.

When a private car makes more sense

If you're traveling light with just one or two people, the high-speed train plus a shuttle bus is all you need. A private car saves a lot of hassle in these situations: traveling with three generations of family, where older members walk slowly and you'd rather not transfer between Qiandao Lake Station and the pier; carrying lots of luggage and going straight from Hangzhou to a lakeside resort; wanting to visit two or three lake areas or viewpoints in a single day; or continuing from Qiandao Lake to Huangshan or Jiande without heading back to Hangzhou to change transport.

For vehicle types, duration and pricing for point-to-point transfers from Hangzhou to Qiandao Lake, see Hangzhou to Qiandao Lake private car. For multi-day car hire within Hangzhou and nearby, see Hangzhou private car. For ideas on combining Qiandao Lake with Hangzhou, Wuzhen and Shaoxing into a multi-day trip, check out our nearby getaways from Hangzhou.

FAQs

How long is the high-speed train from Hangzhou to Qiandao Lake?

The fastest trains from Hangzhou West Station to Qiandao Lake Station take 41 minutes, with most taking around 45 minutes. From Hangzhou East Station to Qiandao Lake Station, it takes about 50 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes. These are schedules for November 18, 2026; check 12306 for real-time information.

Is Qiandao Lake Station far from the Qiandao Lake scenic area?

It's a bit of a distance. The station is in Wenchang Town, Chun'an County, about 23 km from Qiandao Lake Town and the docks. A shuttle bus or taxi takes 20 to 30 minutes. Follow the signs at the station for transfers, or book a car in advance.

How far is the drive from Hangzhou to Qiandao Lake?

It's about 161 km from West Lake to Qiandao Lake Town, mostly via the Hangqian Expressway, taking around two hours in light traffic. Expect queues leaving the city during holidays and when parking in Qiandao Lake Town, so allow extra time.

Are high-speed train tickets to Qiandao Lake Station easy to get?

Tickets are usually easy to get on weekdays, but trains departing in the morning and returning in the afternoon on weekends and holidays sell out fast—especially the few express trains from Hangzhou West Station. Book on 12306 as soon as your dates are set. You can buy the outbound ticket first and decide on the return based on your cruise schedule.

How do I get from Shanghai to Qiandao Lake?

You can take a high-speed train directly from Shanghai Hongqiao Station or Shanghai South Station to Qiandao Lake Station. On November 18, there are 14 departures from Hongqiao and 11 from Shanghai South. Most trips take 2 to 2.5 hours, with second-class seats costing about ¥149–163. From the station, transfer to reach Qiandao Lake Town and the pier.

Is a day tour from Hangzhou to Qiandao Lake doable?

Yes, but you'll only have time for the central lake area plus one island. Taking a 7 or 8 am high-speed train and returning to Hangzhou on a 5 or 6 pm train makes for a relaxed pace. If you want to visit more islands or catch the sunset, consider staying overnight.