Source: Hangzhou Municipal Culture and Tourism Public Release · Hangzhou Bendibao
Springtime Hangzhou — now is the moment to hop on a bicycle and discover the city on two wheels. Below are five curated cycling routes covering the Grand Canal, the Qiantang Riverfront, Xianghu Lake, the Jingshan mountain loop, and a long trail through the northern urban belt.
01. Grand Canal Route (京杭大运河运道路线)
Route: Lishui North Rd → Lishui Rd → Fuyi Warehouse Heritage Park → Greenway → Zhaohui Rd
This line threads through several core segments of the Grand Canal, bringing you within walking distance of UNESCO World Heritage sites including the Fuyi Warehouse. The ancient granary, a relic of the Ming-era imperial grain transport system, still shows its original storage architecture — now paired with contemporary art exhibitions. The contrast between centuries-old storage silos and modern installations gives the ride a layered cultural texture.
02. Three-Rivers Greenway — Binjiang Section (三江两岸绿道·滨江段)
Route: Feihong Rd → Wentao Rd → Yandousun St
Ride along the Qiantang Riverfront, catching the spirit of the 2023 Asian Games, the power of the Qiantang tidal bore, and one of the city’s most celebrated cherry blossom runs. In peak sakura season, the riverbank fills with locals and tourists — many in traditional hanfu — taking photos, joining the “Sakura Run,” and listening to local street bands. The atmosphere is lively and unmistakably springtime.
03. Xianghu Lake Loop (湘湖骑行环线)
Route: Dingshan Rd → Xianghu Rd → Xianghu Rd → Meishan Rd
Known as the “West Lake of the South,” Xianghu Lake is far less crowded than its famous cousin and offers a calmer, more open landscape. The loop circles the lake through residential streets and lakefront paths, lined with cafés, teahouses, and boutique accommodations. Ideal for a slow afternoon ride with multiple places to pull over for coffee.
04. Jingshan — Shuangxi Loop (径山-双溪骑行环线)
Route: Caoya Rd → Zuhai Rd → Yanchi Rd → Shuanghou Rd → Qingbo Rd → Dajingshan Greenway → Huanghou Rd → Shuanghou Rd → Luniu Ave → Shuanghou Rd → Caoya Rd → Shuangdong Rd → Changjing Rd → Xiangcha Rd → Xiangping Rd → Penclong Rd
This is the most ambitious ride on the list — a long mountain loop up to the foothills of Jingshan. The village of Jingshan has been cultivated into a “Zen village” of ten scenes combining Jiangnan’s soft landscape with a contemplative, tranquil mood. At the top, Jingshan Temple is a millennial Zen Buddhist monastery; cycling the mountain road gives a completely different experience from hiking the old trail. The mountain air is crisp, and on a lucky day you can watch sea-of-clouds roll out below.
05. Grand Canal National Cultural Park Greenway (大运河国家文化公园绿道)
Route: Xiutang Rd → Shui’an Chongyuan Park → Greenway → Gongkang Rd → 2nd Rd → Chongxian Xianyuan Park → Greenway → Yunxi Rd → Tangkang Rd → Zhangjiashu Rd → Xixiaohe St → Dongxiaoho St → Tangqi Rd → Renmin Rd → Chongmin Lane → Chongyang Rd → Greenway → Jingyang Rd → Dongming Rd → Luxi Rd
Running the length of the northern canal belt, this long greenway threads through both urban neighborhoods and open countryside, passing through the historic water town of Tangqi. It connects a thousand years of cultural heritage with modern recreational space — equally suited to cycling, walking, or a slow drive. Described as “a Jiangnan cultural museum without walls,” it’s one of the most comprehensive cultural-landscape rides in the city.
This article is a full English translation of content originally published by Hangzhou Municipal Culture and Tourism Public Release (杭州文广旅游发布), compiled by Hangzhou Bendibao.
Original article: 打卡春日！杭州10大宝藏骑行路线推荐（第一弹）
Editor: Ji Lele