Yan Zhou
What's Inside
I've been guiding foreign tourists around Jiaxing's South Lake for years. And honestly? The maps you find online are either too vague or just plain wrong. Google Maps shows you a big blue blob — useless when you're standing at the wrong gate, baking in the sun with a dead phone.
Here is the catch: South Lake isn't a single park. It's a sprawling historical zone with multiple entrances, a museum, memorials, and a ferry system that even locals sometimes mess up. If you follow the standard advice, you'll waste at least 40 minutes backtracking.
My final verdict after 50+ visits: Use the West Gate (西门) — always. It connects directly to the lakeside path, skips the main ticket line, and drops you within a 5-minute walk to the ferry dock. Now let me walk you through everything.
Why Most Maps Fail You
First, a quick rant. Apple Maps and Google Maps both use outdated satellite imagery here. The walking paths shown don't exist in reality. I once had a couple follow Google Maps and ended up at a construction fence. Not fun.
Use AMap Global (高德地图) instead — it's the only app with accurate pedestrian routes inside South Lake. Switch to English mode in settings. Even with English, keep the Chinese name handy: 南湖景区. You'll need it for taxis.
South Lake at a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official Name | South Lake Scenic Area (南湖景区) |
| Location | South of Jiaxing city center, Zhejiang Province |
| Opening Hours | Daily 8:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30); closed some holidays, check WeChat mini-program |
| Ticket Price | Adults ¥60, children/seniors ¥30 (requires passport for discount) |
| Ferry Ticket | ¥20 per person (round trip to the island) |
| Recommended Duration | 3–4 hours (add 1 hour if visiting the Memorial Hall) |
| Best Photo Time | 3:30 PM – sunset; morning light is harsh on the water |
Which Entrance to Pick
There are three main gates: East (东门), South (南门), and West (西门). South Gate is the main tourist entrance — and it's a nightmare. Long queues, ticket vendors who barely speak English, and a 15-minute walk to anything interesting. Avoid it unless you arrive before 8:30 AM.
West Gate is my go-to. It's quieter, has a small ticket booth with usually no line, and puts you right next to the lakeside promenade. From West Gate, walk straight 200 meters — you'll see the ferry pier on your left. Easy.
East Gate is only useful if you're coming from the Jiaxing Museum side. It's fine, but the path to the lake is a bit longer.
My Go-To Walking Route
Start at West Gate → walk along the south shore toward the island ferry → take the ferry to the Lake Heart Island → visit the Memorial Hall → loop back via the north shore.
Here's the breakdown with time estimates:
- West Gate to Ferry Pier (10 min): A straight, shaded path. Grab water here — the only convenience store is near the pier.
- Ferry to Lake Heart Island (5 min): Boats leave every 20 minutes. Don't rush for the first one; wait for one with a covered roof if it's sunny.
- Lake Heart Island (45 min): This is where the famous Red Boat is moored — the boat where the first CPC congress concluded. Small museum on site with English plaques. Crowds peak at 11 AM, so aim for 9:30 AM or after 2 PM.
- Ferry back to main shore → walk to Memorial Hall (15 min): Follow the signs to 南湖革命纪念馆. The building is enormous — you can't miss it. Free entry but requires passport scan.
- Memorial Hall (1–1.5 hours): Excellent exhibitions with English audio guide (rent at info desk, ¥20 deposit). Air conditioning is a blessing in summer.
- North shore loop back to West Gate (20 min): A peaceful walk with lotus ponds in summer. Avoid the east side — it's mostly parking lots.
If you only have 2 hours, skip the Memorial Hall and just do the lake loop. Still worth it.
Ferry Hacks Most Guides Miss
The ferry is your only way to reach the central island. No bridge. But here are three things I always tell my groups:
- Buy a round-trip ticket — the one-way price is only ¥2 less, but if you lose the return ticket, you'll have to buy again. Annoying.
- Last ferry back is at 16:30. If you miss it, you're stuck on the island until the next morning (seriously — there's no emergency boat). Set an alarm on your phone.
- The best seat is on the right side (bow facing island). You get the best view of the skyline and the Red Boat.
Payment for ferry tickets is digital only — Alipay or WeChat Pay. No cash accepted at the pier. If you don't have Chinese mobile payment, ask a fellow tourist to buy it for you and give them cash. I've done this for people countless times.
Parking & Public Transport
If you're driving: There's a large parking lot near South Gate (¥5/hour). West Gate has a smaller lot that fills up by 10 AM on weekends. I don't recommend renting a car in Jiaxing — traffic is chaotic and parking signs are Chinese-only.
Best way to get there: Take a taxi or DiDi (Uber equivalent). From Jiaxing Railway Station, it's about 15 minutes and ¥20–25. Show the driver this: 去南湖景区西门. From Jiaxing South High-Speed Rail Station, it's 25 minutes and about ¥40.
Bus option: Line 8 or 28 to 南湖景区站. But the stop is at South Gate, which I've already told you to avoid. So skip the bus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Verified and fact-checked by the editorial team.
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