Yan Zhou
Quick Guide — What’s Inside
I’ve led dozens of photography tours to South Lake in Jiaxing, and every time I see the same mistake — tourists lining up at the iconic South Lake Revolution Memorial at noon, battling harsh shadows and elbow-to-elbow crowds. Here is the catch: the real magic happens elsewhere, and at the right hour. This guide is built from my own sunrise shoots, rainy-day backups, and the little secrets that most English-language guides skip entirely.
Best Times for Photography at South Lake
The golden window is 6:00–8:00 AM. I always tell my clients: if you only have one shot, make it early morning. The lake is glassy, the light is warm, and the air smells of fresh lotus. By 9 AM, tour buses start rolling in.
- Sunrise (Spring & Autumn): 5:30–6:30 AM. The sky turns peach and gold behind the pagodas. Best spot: the east-facing pier near the Nanhu Revolutionary Museum.
- Late Afternoon (4:00–5:30 PM): Golden hour casts long shadows across the willow-lined paths. The western shore near the Huijing Garden gets spectacular light.
- Blue Hour (just after sunset): The lake reflects city lights — perfect for long-exposure shots. Use a tripod.
Top 5 South Lake Photography Spots
Let me walk you through each location with exact directions and the best angle.
1. Nanhu Revolutionary Museum Pier
This is the postcard view. The museum’s reflection in the calm morning water is unbeatable. Address: 1 Nanhu Road, Jiaxing. Best time: 7 AM. Tip: Stand on the small stone pier at the east end — avoids the crowd that gathers at the main entrance. Bring a polarizer to cut glare.
2. Huijing Garden (Lake View Pavilion)
A hidden gem few tourists bother to find. It’s a small pavilion on the western bank, surrounded by bamboo. From here you get a frame-within-frame shot looking at the lake through the pavilion’s windows. How to get there: Walk 500m south from the South Lake Ferry Terminal, look for a small path behind the tea house. No sign in English — show this to a taxi driver: “会景园湖景亭”. Entry is free after the main park gate.
3. The Red Boat (南湖红船)
A historic replica boat moored near the museum. It’s a symbol of the Chinese Communist Party’s founding, but for photographers, it’s a beautiful subject surrounded by lotus in summer. Access: You can only shoot from the shore; no boarding. Best lens: 70–200mm to compress the boat against the lake. Watch out: Tour groups swarm here from 10 AM. Go at 7:30 AM sharp.
4. South Lake Ferry Terminal Roof Terrace
An unexpected spot I discovered during a rain delay. The second-floor terrace of the ferry building gives a 180-degree panoramic view of the entire lake. It’s always empty because tourists rush to the boats. Address: 1 Nanhu West Road. Open 8 AM–5 PM. No ticket needed. Use a wide-angle lens to capture the curve of the shoreline.
5. The Small Bridge Near Exit B of Nanhu Station
This is for those who want a modern twist. The footbridge just outside the metro station frames the lake with a sleek urban foreground. Best at dusk when the city lights start to glow. GPS: 30.7638° N, 120.7516° E. It’s a 2-minute walk from Exit B of Nanhu Station on Line 1.
How to Avoid the Crowds
Let’s be real: South Lake is popular. But there’s a trick. Most guided tours follow a fixed loop: museum → red boat → ferry. I always take my clients in reverse. Start at Huijing Garden at 7 AM, then walk counterclockwise. You’ll be an hour ahead of the crowds the entire morning.
- Weekdays are much quieter. Tuesday through Thursday are best. Monday the museum is closed.
- Rainy days? Bring a clear umbrella — the lake looks moody and atmospheric. Fewer tourists too.
- Entry fee: The park is free. But the museum requires a reservation via Trip.com (search “Jiaxing Nanhu Revolutionary Museum”). Show your passport at the booth. Cost: 30 RMB.
Essential Gear & Camera Settings
Pack light but smart. South Lake involves walking on stone paths and sometimes grassy banks. Here’s what I carry:
| Item | Why it helps | Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Tripod (compact) | Blue hour long exposures | Use a gorillapod on railings |
| Polarizing filter | Reduces water glare, enriches greens | N/A |
| 70-200mm lens | Compress distant boats & lotus | Kit zoom at 135mm also works |
| Rain cover | Sudden showers common in summer | Plastic bag + rubber band |
Camera settings I rely on: For sunrise, ISO 100, aperture f/8, shutter 1/60. For blue hour, ISO 400, f/11, 2 seconds (tripod mandatory). Always shoot in RAW — the dynamic range helps recover shadows under the willow trees.
How to Get to South Lake
South Lake is in Jiaxing, about 1 hour from Shanghai by high-speed train. Here's the most practical route:
- Take a train from Shanghai Hongqiao to Jiaxing South — 30 minutes, around 60 RMB. Book on Trip.com or 12306.cn. You'll need your passport.
- From Jiaxing South Station, take Metro Line 1 to Nanhu Station (8 stops, 20 minutes). Exit B is the closest.
- Alternatively, use Didi (or show this Chinese text to the driver: “嘉兴南湖会景园”). Cost: about 25 RMB, 15 minutes.
- Important: Google Maps is unreliable in China. Use Apple Maps or the AMap Global app. I've uploaded the exact GPS coordinates for each spot in the map link below (search 'South Lake Jiaxing' in Apple Maps — it works).
Frequently Asked Questions
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