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Sunrise over West Lake on a winter morning is breathtaking! A gauzy mist wraps the rosy clouds, the crimson sun floods the lake with color, and the silhouettes of bare branches and boats blur into an ink-wash tableau, turning winter at West Lake into a living Chinese painting. Distant hills glow like indigo. Leifeng Pagoda and Baochu Pagoda emerge and fade in the morning fog. Sparse walkers on the Su Causeway sketch effortless lines beneath a pale pink sky. Winter at West Lake is quiet, yet it hides sound and warmth—the soft rustle of wind through branches, the gentle murmur of water against stone, the sun’s comforting glow, the heat of Longjing tea cradled in your palms, and the rising warmth that builds in your body as you stroll—all weaving a uniquely wintry mood. This morning, the red sun rose slowly from the lakeshore, as if heaven and earth had dressed in gold and crimson to bless the seniors heading into their exams. May every stroke of their pens shine with brilliance, and may they set sail toward bright horizons and a dazzling future. Recommended route for photo ops: Xiling Bridge ➡️ Gushan Road ➡️ Guanghua Fudan ➡️ Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake ➡️ Broken Bridge ➡️ Beishan Street. It can be windy by the lake, so remember a down jacket to stay warm. Come to West Lake, catch a sunrise, and soak up the romance and good wishes!

As the 2026 Year of the Horse dawns, the Lunar New Year spirit is in full swing along West Lake. The Hangzhou Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, TV and Tourism has crafted West Lake "Lucky Horse Lantern" boats inspired by Song-style aesthetics. Each limited-edition rowboat features a galloping horse design paired with a traditional horse lantern—one boat, one lantern—brimming with cultural charm. During the Lunar New Year period, visitors can ride these Year of the Horse rowboats for free. 📅 Key dates (mark your calendar!) ✅ Registration period: Phase 1: Jan 8, 9:00 AM–Jan 20, 12:00 AM (results on Jan 20) Phase 2: Feb 2, 9:00 AM–Feb 14, 12:00 AM (results on Feb 14) ✅ Boating dates and times: Phase 1: Jan 23–29 Phase 2: Feb 17–23 Daily time slots: 3:50–4:30 PM and 4:30–5:10 PM (40 min per ride) ✅ Spots available: 812 winners across both phases. Each winning spot gets exclusive free use of 1 boat, with up to 6 passengers per boat. Start the year by gliding across West Lake and soaking up that Year of the Horse luck. Tag your crew and sign up now. Unlock fresh, Song-style Lunar New Year photo ops.

On the banks of the Xin'an River Scenic Area, the Hangzhou Jiande Water Extreme ・ Diving Hotel has officially opened. You don't need to travel to a faraway island to enjoy the freedom of deep diving right at your doorstep. 🏭 A deep blue fantasy in a century-old factory. Who says old factory buildings can only be used as "ruin-style" backdrops? This century-old calcium carbonate factory has been transformed into a 41.5-meter deep diving pool! 💧 Water as clear as a sapphire. The 17°C constant temperature water from the Xin'an River Scenic Area is crystal clear with super high visibility! The underwater light and shadows are stunning, making every shot a masterpiece! The pool is also equipped with a huge viewing window, so people on the shore can also enjoy the underwater spectacle. 🌊 Six depth levels for everyone from beginners to experts. The design is incredibly thoughtful! The pool is divided into 6 depth platforms: ✅ 1.4–1.6 meters: Experience area for children and beginners ✅ 6 meters: Exclusive area for mermaid water dancing 🧜 ✅ 13.5 meters: Freediving Level 2 training ✅ 24.5 meters: Freediving Level 3 challenge ✅ 32 meters: Freediving Level 4 advanced ✅ 42 meters: Instructor courses 📸 Underwater scenes + professional photography An underwater photography space with artistic scenery guarantees great photos! 🎯 One-stop light-extreme vacation. Besides diving, you can also enjoy: 🏄 Deep water surfing: Ride the waves on a surfboard with artificial waves, like a "water roller coaster" or "freediving on the crest of a wave." 🧗‍♂️ Bouldering: As you climb the rock wall... you might suddenly touch a "shark fin" hold! 🛹 Pump track park: Put on your protective gear; falling into the bushes doesn't count as a work-related injury. 🏕 Green space camping: Gaze at the stars with the Yangxi Bridge as your pillow, let the river breeze be your lullaby, and the flashlights from the night diving pool create a natural ambient light. 🥘 Dining and accommodation: Savor the taste of diving and stay by the river. 📍 Address: On the banks of the Xin'an River Scenic Area in Jiande, Zhejiang (Navigate to "Hangzhou Jiande Water Extreme ・ Diving Hotel") 🚗 Transportation: Take the Hangzhou-Xin'anjiang-Jingdezhen Expressway and exit at "Xin'anjiang Toll Station." Cross the Yangxi Bridge and you'll be there.

The wintersweet blossoms of West Lake have quietly bloomed, and the time for flower viewing is just around the corner. Wintersweet is a typical flower that is "awakened by low temperatures." Due to the frequent cold air in the past week, the wintersweet has gradually started to open. The first wintersweet at Qianwang Temple has awakened. To the right of the entrance, the famous wintersweet tree now has a few small, pale yellow flowers. The goose-yellow blossoms against the vermilion walls create a lasting charm. A wintersweet tree in the backyard is also full of buds, about to burst into full bloom. The wintersweet on Gushan has begun to bloom sporadically. The yellow flowers and brown branches have a unique charm against the simple and elegant West Lake. They are mainly distributed around the Lu Xun statue on Gushan, the area around Lin Hejing's Tomb, and Zhongshan Park, with a flowering period that spans the entire winter. In addition, you can also catch a glimpse of this bright winter color at Manong Temple, Yue Wang Temple, and Yellow Dragon Cave. Strolling among them, visitors can feel the elegant and subtle fragrance of the wintersweet, relax their minds, and enjoy the romance of winter. Come to Hangzhou, follow the faint fragrance, and start a journey to encounter the wintersweet.

With recent low temperatures in Hangzhou, reaching a new winter low of -0.5°C, parts of the West Lake scenic area have begun to freeze over. The Hangzhou Flower Nursery and Botanical Garden are particularly stunning, with frost forming on the edges of flowers, fallen leaves covered in a thin layer of ice, and crystal-clear icicles hanging from the trees. The red flowers against the white frost create a picturesque winter scene. Looking back at previous years, the dates when West Lake freezes have varied slightly but are generally concentrated in late December, and this year is no different. Visitors strolling here can not only admire this rare winter wonder but also experience the magical charm of nature, finding a sense of peace and surprise. Come to the shores of West Lake to catch the last of winter and capture this rare, beautiful frozen scenery, embracing the romance and tranquility of the season!