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China AttractionBooking guide for foreign visitors
West Lake boat · Three Pools Mirroring the Moon

West Lake boat / Three Pools tickets for foreigners

西湖游船·三潭印月 — one recommended booking path, with clear steps.

Last checked 19 Oct 2026

Photo: DXR / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Hangzhou · 西湖游船·三潭印月

At a glance

Book ahead?
No — shore is free; book only if you want a boat
Where
Trip.com / dock window
When tickets release
Shore walk-up free. Boats: buy dated product on Trip.com or at the dock.
Open & closed days
Boats depend on weather and operator hours
Price
Shore free; boat fares vary by route — see Trip.com or dock board.
Hours
Daytime boat windows; confirm on the day.
Passport on entry
Boat form we opened did not ask for passport ID; still carry passport for hotels.
Getting there
Hangzhou West Lake — see city hub and West Lake shore page.
Time needed
1–3 hours with a boat
Recommended path

Trip.com boat product (or dock window)

Lake shore stays free. For Three Pools / island boats, English Trip.com worked with name + mobile (verified 19 Oct 2026). Dock windows remain a walk-up backup.

Check seats on Trip.com

Last checked 19 Oct 2026 · How we verify

Step-by-step booking guide

  1. 1

    Walk the shore free

    Causeways and lakeside paths need no ticket.

  2. 2

    If you want a boat, open Trip.com

    Pick a West Lake cruise / Three Pools product for your date.

  3. 3

    Or buy at the dock

    Windows sell when boats are running.

  4. 4

    Keep passport for the city

    Hotels still need it even if the boat form did not.

Key pitfalls

  • Shore free ≠ boat free.
  • No Klook path claimed here.
  • Weather can cancel sailings.

If it doesn’t work

Backup options

Brief backups — not competing primary paths.

Pier ticket windowWalk-up still common; bring passport. Prices from Hangzhou press (2025): leisure boat ~CNY 55; painted boat + island ~CNY 70 (includes CNY 20 island).
WeChat “West Lake Cruise” / Bababus / scenic officesNamed on operator notices as guaranteed channels — WeChat path not opened by us → Check.

Getting there & nearby

See the Hangzhou city hub for area context.

Nearby on this guide

    Check before you go

    Unverified or may have changed — confirm on the booking channel.

    • WeChat “West Lake Cruise” not opened — Check.
    • Klook not used (403) — not recommended here.

    FAQ

    Is West Lake free?

    The shore and causeways are free. Boats and island landings are paid separately.

    Do I need a passport ID on Trip.com for the boat?

    The English form we opened used name + phone, no passport field — still carry your passport in Hangzhou.

    Is there a Klook option?

    We did not verify a Klook path for this product; Trip.com + dock window are the listed routes.

    Sources

    • trip.comTrip.com EN boat+island listing; name+phone form; ~US$10.47 shelf — verified 19 Oct 2026 pre-pay · accessed 19 Oct 2026
    • ehangzhou.gov.cnHangzhou municipal / press context for shore free vs boat paid · accessed 19 Oct 2026

    Last checked 19 Oct 2026 · How we verify