Hangzhou Quyuan Fenghe West Lake Boat Ticket

Located on the west side of West Lake (Xī Hú) in front of Yue Fei Temple (Yuè Wáng Miào), Quyuan Fenghe (Breeze‑ruffled Lotus at Curved Courtyard) is a famous place in Hangzhou for admiring lotus flowers. According to legend, during the Southern Song Dynasty, there was an official winemaking workshop near Hongchun Bridge, with many lotus flowers in the ponds surrounding the workshop. Every summer, a gentle breeze would carry the fragrance of lotus flowers mixed with the aroma of wine, refreshing the heart and mind — hence the name "Quyuan Fenghe (Breeze‑ruffled Lotus at Curved Courtyard)".

Nowadays, Quyuan Fenghe (Breeze‑ruffled Lotus at Curved Courtyard) is located southeast of the intersection of Beishan Street and Yanggong Embankment (Yáng Gōng Dī). It is a park along the shores of West Lake (Xī Hú), connecting with nearby attractions such as Yue Fei Temple (Yuè Wáng Miào), Guo's Villa (Guō Zhuāng), and Hangzhou Botanical Garden, forming the main sightseeing area along the northern route of West Lake (Xī Hú). The main entrance of the park is opposite Yue Fei Temple (Yuè Wáng Miào). In addition, there is also an entrance near Yadi Bridge (Yā Dī Qiáo) at the northern end of Su Embankment (Sū Dī). It is recommended to take a direct bus to the main entrance to enter the park, as the entrance by Su Embankment (Sū Dī) is rather hidden and easy to miss.

The main highlight of Quyuan Fenghe (Breeze‑ruffled Lotus at Curved Courtyard) is naturally the lotus flowers in summer. The park features numerous lotus ponds of various sizes, cultivating over a hundred varieties of lotus flowers, especially in the Breeze‑ruffled Lotus Area, which gathers premium lotus species such as red lotus (hóng lián), Xuan lotus (xuān lián), white lotus (bái lián), double‑petal lotus (chóng tái lián), golden‑spotted lotus (sǎ jīn lián), and twin lotus flowers on one stalk (bìng dì lián). Walking along the winding bridges over the lake feels as if strolling through a lotus pond, a beauty that can make one intoxicated. The park has excellent greenery, with plenty of cool shade under the big trees. Sitting on a bench and admiring the scenic beauty of West Lake (Xī Hú) naturally makes one silently recite: "Boundless green lotus leaves stretch to the horizon; under the sun, lotus blossoms glow a different red."

The best time to enjoy the lotus flowers at Quyuan Fenghe (Breeze‑ruffled Lotus at Curved Courtyard) is from June to July each year. From 6:00 to 8:00 in the morning, the lotus flowers, still carrying dewdrops, appear quite shy and delicate — a perfect time for photography. If visiting during other seasons, you will only see the rippling blue waters of the lake, and the scenery will be far less spectacular without the lotus flowers; however, it is still a pleasant place for a leisurely walk.

The Yue Lake (Yuè Hú) scenic area on the east side of the park preserves the stele inscribed with the words "Quyuan Fenghe (Breeze‑ruffled Lotus at Curved Courtyard)" by Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty. On the north side of the park, there are some antique‑style restaurants that serve quite good food.