Original source
I Found a REAL LIFE Matcha Lake in China… Then Hangzhou Blew My Mind 🇨🇳
Hangzhou Matcha Lake Kayaking and Chenghuang Pavilion Hike
Part three of my China Series. Another day in Hangzhou. We are exploring the Qingshan Water Forest Park, als known as Matcha Lake. Famous lake, with trees standing inside the green water - we did a really cool kayaking experience there too. Afterwards we went to Hefang street for some souvenir...
Part three of my China Series. Another day in Hangzhou. We are exploring the Qingshan Water Forest Park, als known as Matcha Lake. Famous lake, with trees standing inside the green water - we did a really cool kayaking experience there too. Afterwards we went to Hefang street for some souvenir shopping and startet there our hike to the City of God Pavillion. Stay tuned for some calm and cozy nature vibes and an incredible view of the Chenghuang Pavillion on top of Hangzhou West Lake.
Sven Travel takes a day trip from Hangzhou to the Qingshan Water Forest Park, a place he calls Matcha Lake because of the green water and trees standing in it. After taking trains for about an hour, he pays €1.17 for the ride he describes and reaches a station whose name is unclear in the captions. He walks through the scenic area, buys a 40 RMB water-forest admission ticket, and later rents a kayak for about 30 euros to paddle through the trees. He also visits a viewing area, then returns to Hangzhou for a chicken steak and Coke costing 20 RMB. On Hefang Street he browses souvenir and snack stalls before walking up toward Chenghuang Pavilion on Wushan Hill. He watches the pavilion light up at 7 p.m. from another viewing pavilion and says the uphill and downhill walk took about half an hour each way, despite his guide suggesting two hours.
Part three of my China Series. Another day in Hangzhou. We are exploring the Qingshan Water Forest Park, als known as Matcha Lake. Famous lake, with trees standing inside the green water - we did a really cool kayaking experience there too. Afterwards we went to Hefang street for some souvenir shopping and startet there our hike to the City of God Pavillion. Stay tuned for some calm and cozy nature vibes and an incredible view of the Chenghuang Pavillion on top of Hangzhou West Lake.
Sven Travel leaves Hangzhou by train for the Qingshan Water Forest Park, which he calls Matcha Lake because the green water and trees remind him of matcha. He says the train journey took about an hour and cost €1.17, but the station name is unclear in the captions. At the park, he buys a 40 RMB admission ticket for the water forest and walks about 800 m to the main entrance after being told he cannot take a shuttle bus. He describes ticket machines and a counter at the entrance. He walks on wooden paths, takes photos, and later rents a kayak for about 30 euros. The kayak is restricted to a designated area, and he comments on the trees, water plants, and deer. He then returns toward Hangzhou, buys a chicken steak and Coke for 20 RMB, and visits Hefang Street, where he sees souvenir magnets, postcards, food stalls, and tea. In the evening he walks up Wushan Hill toward Chenghuang Pavilion, also called the City of God Pavilion. He visits a separate viewing pavilion to see the main pavilion and watches it become illuminated at 7 p.m. On the way back, he says the hike was not especially difficult; the final section has more steps, and he estimates about half an hour up and half an hour down. The description identifies the destination as Qingshan Water Forest Park and mentions Hefang Street and Chenghuang Pavilion. Several spoken place names are inconsistent or unclear, so this summary uses the description’s park name and the clearly identified Hangzhou locations.
Sven Travel takes a day trip from Hangzhou to the Qingshan Water Forest Park, a place he calls Matcha Lake because of the green water and trees standing in it. After taking trains for about an hour, he pays €1.17 for the ride he describes and reaches a station whose name is unclear in the captions. He walks through the scenic area, buys a 40 RMB water-forest admission ticket, and later rents a kayak for about 30 euros to paddle through the trees. He also visits a viewing area, then returns to Hangzhou for a chicken steak and Coke costing 20 RMB. On Hefang Street he browses souvenir and snack stalls before walking up toward Chenghuang Pavilion on Wushan Hill. He watches the pavilion light up at 7 p.m. from another viewing pavilion and says the uphill and downhill walk took about half an hour each way, despite his guide suggesting two hours.
Sven visits Hangzhou’s Qingshan Water Forest Park, kayaks among the trees, explores Hefang Street, and hikes to a pavilion viewpoint at sunset.
Hangzhou Matcha Lake Kayaking and Chenghuang Pavilion Hike
4:11 Sven says the shuttle bus was not available to them, so they walked about 800 metres to the actual scenic-area entrance. Factor in this extra walk when planning the visit.
5:14 At the park entrance, Sven says visitors can use a self-service ticket machine or go to a counter. He also mentions a tourist information point farther back, so check the entrance area before assuming tickets are available only there.
17:08 Sven says kayaking cost him about 30 euros and that boats have a special area rather than access to the whole lake. Check the current price and route restrictions before deciding to rent one.
23:49 Sven describes Hefang Street as a cultural street with food stalls, tea, magnets, postcards, and other souvenirs. He browses there before starting the evening walk, so it can be a separate stop in the day.
37:51 Sven says the last part of the walk has more steps, although he found the hike manageable and estimated about half an hour up and half an hour down. His guide had suggested two hours, so allow time for your own pace.
4:11 Sven says the shuttle bus was not available to them, so they walked about 800 metres to the actual scenic-area entrance. Factor in this extra walk when planning the visit.
5:14 At the park entrance, Sven says visitors can use a self-service ticket machine or go to a counter. He also mentions a tourist information point farther back, so check the entrance area before assuming tickets are available only there.
17:08 Sven says kayaking cost him about 30 euros and that boats have a special area rather than access to the whole lake. Check the current price and route restrictions before deciding to rent one.
23:49 Sven describes Hefang Street as a cultural street with food stalls, tea, magnets, postcards, and other souvenirs. He browses there before starting the evening walk, so it can be a separate stop in the day.
37:51 Sven says the last part of the walk has more steps, although he found the hike manageable and estimated about half an hour up and half an hour down. His guide had suggested two hours, so allow time for your own pace.
0:14 Train from Hangzhou to Matcha Lake
3:01 Walking to the water forest entrance
6:48 Matcha Lake paths and kayaks
11:48 Kayaking among the trees
18:59 Chicken snack and Hefang Street
25:10 Hiking toward Chenghuang Pavilion
34:32 Pavilion lights and the walk back
0:14 Train from Hangzhou to Matcha Lake
3:01 Walking to the water forest entrance
6:48 Matcha Lake paths and kayaks
11:48 Kayaking among the trees
18:59 Chicken snack and Hefang Street
25:10 Hiking toward Chenghuang Pavilion
34:32 Pavilion lights and the walk back
What is Matcha Lake in Hangzhou?
Sven uses Matcha Lake as an informal name for the green-water area at Qingshan Water Forest Park; he says it is not the official name.
How much did the water forest entrance cost?
Sven says he paid 40 RMB for one person to enter the water forest.
How much did kayaking cost at Matcha Lake?
Sven says his kayak outing cost about 30 euros. He notes that kayaks use a designated area and cannot go everywhere.
How long was the walk up Wushan Hill?
Sven estimates about half an hour up and half an hour down, with more steps on the final section. He says this was shorter than the two hours his guide had suggested.
What can visitors browse on Hefang Street?
Sven mentions food stalls, tea, magnets, postcards, and other souvenirs on Hefang Street.
