Qiang Huang
What You'll Find Here
I've lost count of how many times I've guided travelers to South Lake. And every single time, there's the same panic: "How do I even get there?" Let me save you the headache. Here's the honest truth—the fastest way from Shanghai or Hangzhou is the high-speed train. But the devil's in the details. Keep reading, and I'll show you exactly which ticket to book, which exit to take, and which taxi driver to wave away.
Why South Lake Matters
South Lake (南湖, Nán Hú) in Jiaxing, Zhejiang, isn't just a pretty lake. It's where the Communist Party of China was founded in 1921 on a small red boat. Today, it's a peaceful park with a museum, walking paths, and a replica of that boat. Most visitors come for a half-day trip from Shanghai or Hangzhou. You don't need a full day — 3 to 4 hours is plenty, unless you want to linger and enjoy the lakeside.
Arriving from Shanghai
High-speed Train: Your Best Bet
Shanghai Hongqiao to Jiaxing South takes about 30 minutes. Trains run every 15-30 minutes from around 6:00 AM to 9:30 PM. I always tell my clients: buy your ticket on Trip.com (the English interface works perfectly) or directly at the station. Prices are around ¥40-60 (roughly $6-8) for a second-class seat. Key detail: Avoid the cheaper slow trains (K-series) that take 2 hours — not worth the savings.
From Jiaxing South Station to South Lake
Once you exit Jiaxing South Station, you have two solid options:
- Taxi (Didí / 滴滴): Use Alipay's ride-hailing or the Didí app. It's about a 20-minute drive, costing ¥30-40. Pro Tip: Show the driver this Chinese address: 南湖景区 (Nán Hú Jǐng Qū). Don't accept offers from touts outside the station — they'll charge double.
- Bus Route 91: Take the bus to the terminal stop (about 40 minutes, ¥2). You'll need a Jiaxing Transit Card in Alipay or cash (exact change). The bus stop is right outside the station. It's a bit slow but cheap.
The Insider Shortcut
If you're coming from Shanghai on a weekend, book the 8:30 AM train. You'll arrive at South Lake around 9:30, just as the crowds start building. The morning light over the lake is perfect for photos — by 11 AM, the sun gets harsh and the tour groups flood in. Also, don't plan to visit the Red Boat Museum on Mondays; it's closed.
Arriving from Hangzhou
High-speed Train: Even Faster
Hangzhou East to Jiaxing South takes just 23 minutes. Trains are frequent, about every 20 minutes. Same price range — ¥40-50. I personally prefer the 9:00 AM departure. You'll be at the lake by 9:45, before the school groups arrive.
From Station to Lake
Same drill as from Shanghai: taxi (¥30, 20 minutes) or bus (Route 91, but note it's the same line). One more thing: If you're using Apple Maps, search for "South Lake Scenic Area" — Google Maps won't give you accurate walking directions.
Getting Around Jiaxing
Taxis & Ride-Hailing
Most drivers won't speak English. Have your destination written in Chinese. Taxis start at ¥11, and within the city, you'll rarely pay more than ¥20. Didí (the Uber of China) works with Alipay and WeChat. Watch out: Some drivers might try to negotiate a flat rate for tourists — insist on the meter or use the app.
Public Buses
Buses are cheap (¥2) but routes can be confusing. The Jiaxing Bus app (available on Alipay) shows routes in English, but honestly, for South Lake, a taxi is easier. If you're on a budget, take Bus 1 from North Station (old station) directly to the lake.
Navigation & Payment Hacks
Google Maps is useless in China. I've seen too many tourists walking in circles. Instead, download Apple Maps (it works with local data) or Gaode Maps (AMap) with its global English mode. For public transport, use MetroMan or Trip.com's route planner.
Payment: You'll need Alipay or WeChat Pay linked to an international credit card. South Lake's ticket booth may accept cash, but many vendors (like the ferry to the island) are mobile-only. Get your apps set up before you arrive. Insider tip: Add the Jiaxing Transit Card in Alipay (under Transport) to scan on buses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Verified and fact-checked by the editorial team.
Loved this article! I'm a nervous first-time traveler to the area, and the writer's calm, reassuring tone made me feel prepared. The tip about buying return tickets in advance at the bus station saved me from a long queue. My whole family enjoyed the lake thanks to this route. Absolutely worth bookmarking.
I've used three different guides for this trip, and this one is by far the clearest. The step-by-step instructions from Hangzhou East Station were so easy to follow that I didn't even need to ask for directions. Only giving 4 stars because the parking info for self-drivers was missing – my friend who drove had to figure it out separately.
Exactly what I needed! I'm a budget traveler so the detailed breakdown of bus vs. taxi costs was a game changer. The suggestion to take the morning train from Shanghai to avoid crowds worked perfectly – I had the lake almost to myself until noon. 10/10 would follow this again.
Decent article overall, but the Hangzhou route felt a bit rushed. It mentioned taking bus K4 but didn't specify that it only runs every 40 minutes on weekends. I ended up waiting 25 minutes under the sun – a small warning would've been nice. Still got there fine, just not as smooth as promised.
This guide saved me a ton of time! I followed the high-speed rail + bus route from Shanghai and got to South Lake in under 2 hours. The directions were spot-on, and the maps included helped me find the right shuttle stop. Highly recommend for anyone who hates traffic jams.