How to Get from Hangzhou to Qiandao Lake by Public Transport (2026)

Quick Answer

Take a high-speed train from Hangzhou East to Qiandaohu Station (~50–65 min, ¥72 second class), then the official tourist shuttle bus to the lake area (~40 min, ¥15). Total travel time is about 1.5–2 hours each way. Direct coaches from Hangzhou West Coach Station are also available (~2.5 hrs, ¥60).

Qiandao Lake (千岛湖, literally "Thousand Island Lake") is a vast reservoir in Chun'an County, about 130–170 km west of Hangzhou. It contains 1,078 islands and is famous for its crystal-clear water (Class I drinking water quality), lush forest, and fish-head soup. It is a popular weekend escape from Hangzhou and Shanghai, especially in summer when the lake area is several degrees cooler than the city.

Compare Your Options

Option 1 — High-Speed Train + Tourist Shuttle (Recommended)

Step-by-step

1. Get to Hangzhou East Railway Station (杭州东站). Take Hangzhou Metro Line 1, 4, 6, or 19 to Hangzhou East Station.

2. Buy a train ticket to Qiandaohu Station (千岛湖站). Book through Trip.com, 12306, or at the station. Bring your passport.

   • G-trains: approximately 50–65 minutes, ¥72 for second class, ¥116 for first class
   • Trains run approximately every 30–60 minutes from early morning (around 07:15) until evening (around 21:42)
   • The route covers 169 km with 1–4 intermediate stops depending on the train

   [!TIP] The fastest trains (e.g., G2185/G2188) take as little as 50 minutes. Look for G-trains with fewer stops.

3. Arrive at Qiandaohu Station. Exit the station and turn right toward the bus center. Look for the tourist shuttle bus (旅游专线/酒店穿梭巴士).

4. Take the tourist shuttle to the lake area:

   • Tourist Direct Line (旅游专线): Qiandaohu Station → Qiandaohu Square (千岛湖广场), ¥10, about 60 minutes, stops along the way.
   • Hotel Shuttle Bus 001/002 (酒店穿梭巴士): Qiandaohu Station → major hotels near the lake, ¥15, about 50 minutes.
   • Express Line (快速专线): Qiandaohu Station → Qiandaohu Coach Terminal (千岛湖客运总站), ¥5, about 15–20 minutes, no intermediate stops.

   For most visitors going to the central lake area and tourist wharf, take the Tourist Direct Line or ask the shuttle staff which bus goes to the Central Lake Tourist Wharf (中心湖区旅游码头).

5. To reach the Central Lake Tourist Wharf from the lake town area, take local bus K004 or K007 to the Tourist Wharf stop (旅游码头站). A taxi from Qiandaohu Square area to the wharf costs about ¥10–15.

Train details (Hangzhou East → Qiandaohu)

[!NOTE] There is no direct metro or city bus from Qiandaohu Station to the lake. The station is about 20–30 minutes by road from the town and wharf area. The tourist shuttle is the most economical option; a taxi costs about ¥50–80.

From Qiandaohu Station to the lake

Option 2 — Direct Coach (Cheapest)

Direct coaches run from Hangzhou West Coach Station (杭州汽车西站) to Qiandao Lake:

• Duration: about 2–2.5 hours (157 km)
• Fare: ¥60
• Frequency: every 30 minutes; first bus at 06:00, last bus at 18:50
• Drop-off: Qiandaohu Coach Terminal (千岛湖客运总站), near the lake town area

There are also coaches from:

• Hangzhou North Coach Station: 1 daily bus at 11:55 (¥60, 2.5 hrs)
• Hangzhou Central (Jiubao): 4 daily buses at 08:00, 10:10, 12:10, 15:00 (¥60, 3 hrs)
• Hangzhou Railway Station: 4 daily buses at 08:27, 10:32, 12:32, 15:22 (¥60, 2 hrs)

[!NOTE] The coach from Hangzhou West is the most frequent and fastest bus option. It is also the cheapest overall option. However, it is slower than the train and subject to traffic. To reach Hangzhou West Coach Station, take bus or taxi — it is not directly on a metro line.

Option 3 — Train + Taxi

For maximum convenience, especially with luggage or in a group:

1. Take the G-train from Hangzhou East to Qiandaohu Station (50–65 min, ¥72).
2. Take a taxi or DiDi from Qiandaohu Station directly to your hotel or the Central Lake Tourist Wharf (20–30 min, ¥50–80).

Total time: about 1.5 hours; total cost: approximately ¥120–155 per person.

How to Get Back

By train

• Return G-trains from Qiandaohu to Hangzhou East run throughout the day until approximately 21:00–22:00.
• Take the tourist shuttle or taxi back to Qiandaohu Station. Allow at least 40–60 minutes for the shuttle from the lake area to the station.
• Book your return ticket in advance, especially on Sunday afternoons when weekend travelers flood back to Hangzhou and Shanghai.

By coach

• Return coaches from Qiandao Lake Coach Terminal to Hangzhou West run from approximately 05:40 to 18:40, every 30 minutes (¥60, ~2.5 hrs).
• There are also direct coaches to Hangzhou East Railway Station with departures at various times throughout the day.

[!IMPORTANT] Schedules may change — verify locally. Check return train and coach times when you arrive at Qiandao Lake. If you are taking the train back, allow plenty of time to get from the lake area to Qiandaohu Station.

If you miss the last transport

• A taxi or DiDi from Qiandao Lake back to Hangzhou costs ¥400–600.
• Qiandao Lake has abundant hotels and resorts at all price levels. An overnight stay is recommended — the lake is beautiful at sunrise, and the town has excellent seafood restaurants.

Chinese Names You May Need

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Confusing Qiandaohu Station with the lake. Qiandaohu Railway Station is not at the lakeside — it is about 20–30 minutes by road from the town and wharf. You must transfer to a shuttle bus or taxi.

2. Arriving too late for the boat tour. The island-hopping boat tours typically depart in the morning (first boat around 08:00–08:30) and stop selling tickets around 13:00. If you want to visit the islands, take an early train (before 09:00 from Hangzhou East).

3. Not booking the return train on Sundays. The Hangzhou–Qiandao Lake route is extremely popular on weekends, especially Sunday afternoons. Book your return ticket 1–2 days in advance.

4. Taking the coach from the wrong Hangzhou station. Coaches depart from multiple stations. The most frequent service is from Hangzhou West Coach Station (汽车西站), not Jiubao or the railway station. Check your departure point carefully.

5. Underestimating the shuttle bus time. The tourist shuttle from the station to the lake makes many stops and can take 40–60 minutes. If you have a train to catch, take a taxi (20–30 min) instead.

6. Only visiting the islands. While the island boat tour is the classic experience, Qiandao Lake also has excellent free lakeside cycling paths (the Chunyang Greenway), Tianyu Mountain viewing platform (sunset spot), and a lively night market at Qilong Alley. You don't need to buy a boat ticket to enjoy the lake.

Tickets & Reservations

• Central Lake area boat tour + island admission: approximately ¥130–195 per adult (price varies by season and route; includes boat and island entrance)
• Meifeng Island cable car: ¥60 round trip (optional, for the panoramic view)
• Tianyu Mountain Scenic Area: ¥50 (escalator ¥25 extra)
• Book boat tickets in advance during peak season (July–August, National Day) through the official Qiandao Lake WeChat mini-program or Trip.com.
• The boat tour visits 3–4 islands and takes about 5–6 hours. Bring water, snacks, sun protection, and comfortable shoes.

Still Not Sure How to Get There?

Need help booking Qiandao Lake tours, arranging a lakeside hotel, or planning a multi-day Hangzhou–Qiandao Lake itinerary? Our local team can help. Contact us or message us on WhatsApp.

Related Guides

• Hangzhou Travel Guide — full city guide with West Lake and Lingyin Temple
• How to Get from Shanghai to Hangzhou by High-Speed Train — if you are coming from Shanghai
• 12306 High-Speed Rail Guide — how to book train tickets in China
• Didi Ride-Hailing Guide for Foreigners — backup transport option

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Train schedules and fares are based on 12306, gaotie.com.cn, Ctrip, and Trip.com (verified August 2026). Coach schedules are based on ChinaBusGuide and official Hangzhou transport information. Shuttle bus details are based on Trip.com traveler reports. Schedules may change — verify at the station or coach terminal before travel.

Last verified: August 2026