Major city · China
Qiandaohu千岛湖
One full day is enough for a boat tour of the islands and fish-head lunch; two days if you add rafting or a hike. Skip it if you have only a half-day window.
Qiandaohu (Thousand Island Lake) is a man-made reservoir in western Zhejiang, formed by the Xin'an River Dam. Its clean water supplies Nongfu Spring bottled water. The main draw is a boat ride past the islands, plus a few animal-themed stops and a river-rafting course in the hills. Most travellers come as a day trip from Hangzhou (1 h by train) or as a stop on the Hangzhou–Huangshan high-speed line.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid, rain), Chinese public holidays (crowds)
- Airport
- HGH
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Qiandaohu110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Qiandaohu, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyQiandaohu is a safe tourist area.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire · 120 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportHGH Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (About 2 h by taxi or bus to Qiandaohu; high-speed rail from Hangzhou East station is faster.).
- Getting aroundPublic buses and taxis in town; boat tours are the main way to see the islands.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from station to lakefront¥50–70 (≈ US$7–10)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCN¥80 (≈ US$12)
- Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomCN¥400 (≈ US$60)
- High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomCN¥700 (≈ US$100)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥200 (≈ US$30) · Mid CN¥500 (≈ US$70) · High CN¥1,000 (≈ US$140)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- HGH Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (About 2 h by taxi or bus to Qiandaohu; high-speed rail from Hangzhou East station is faster.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Feb
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Mar
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Apr
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
May
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Nov
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Dec
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Mar (16 rain days), driest Oct (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Qiandaohu: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
12 rd
Feb
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
13 rd
Mar
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
16 rd
Apr
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
15 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
15 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
16 rd
Jul
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11 rd
Oct
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9 rd
Nov
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
Dec
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Public buses and taxis in town; boat tours are the main way to see the islands. The high-speed rail station is about 20 min by taxi from the lakefront.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 1.5 h
High-speed train from Qiandaohu station, about 1 h
West Lake and tea hills; easy day trip.
Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)
overnightDoor to door: 1.5 h
High-speed train from Qiandaohu station, about 1 h
The mountain needs a full day; sleep in Tangkou or on the mountain.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Qiandaohu town (near the lakefront)
Most hotels and restaurants; walking distance to the main pier.
Resort hotels on the lake islands
Pricier, quieter, but require a boat transfer.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥200–400 (≈ US$30–60) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥400–800 (≈ US$60–120) excl. bed
- High
- ¥800 (≈ US$120)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range double room1 × 1 night × CN¥400 | CN¥400 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × CN¥500 | CN¥1,000 |
| Boat tour (standard loop, 3–4 h)2 × CN¥150 · check | CN¥300 |
| Jiulong Brook Rafting (including equipment)2 × CN¥100 · check | CN¥200 |
| Taxi from Qiandaohu station to lakefront1 × CN¥60 | CN¥60 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥196 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥1,078 per person per day, bed included | CN¥2,156≈ US$350 |
2026 estimate in yuan; flights and long-distance trains excluded.
Prices of common things
| Boat tour (standard loop)check | ¥150 (≈ US$25) |
| Jiulong Brook Raftingcheck | ¥100 (≈ US$14) |
| Fish-head soup (per person) | ¥60–120 (≈ US$9–17) |
| Bottle of water (Nongfu Spring) | ¥2–3 (≈ under US$1) |
| Taxi from station to lakefront | ¥50–70 (≈ US$7–10) |
| High-speed train Hangzhou–Qiandaohu | ¥70–100 (≈ US$10–14) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Boat tours run fixed schedules; arrive at the pier by 09:00 for the full loop.Boat tours run fixed schedules; arrive at the pier by 9:00 AM for the full loop.
- Animal islands have caged animals; some travellers find them depressing.
- Rafting gets you soaked: bring a change of clothes and a waterproof bag.
- Tap water is not drinkable; buy bottled water (Nongfu Spring is local).
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
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Qiandaohu千岛湖
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
The US has a consulate in Shanghai; most other countries have embassies in Beijing and consulates in Shanghai.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- High-speed train Hangzhou–Qiandaohu: about ¥70–100 (≈ US$10–14), 1 h (check)
- Taxi Qiandaohu station → lakefront: ¥50–70 (≈ US$7–10)
- Boat tour standard loop: ¥150 (≈ US$25) (check)
Say or show
- 你好 — Hello (nǐ hǎo)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xiè xiè)
- 这个多少钱？ — How much is this? (zhè ge duō shao qián)
- 码头在哪里？ — Where is the pier? (mǎ tóu zài nǎ lǐ)
- 我要鱼头汤 — I'd like fish-head soup (wǒ yào yú tóu tāng)
- 可以刷卡吗？ — Can I pay by card? (kě yǐ shuā kǎ ma)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Qiandaohu. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid, rain), Chinese public holidays (crowds) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Pier schedules and boat tour operators verified for 2026.
- Rafting season and water level check for Jiulong Brook.
- Hotel and restaurant pages with opening hours and menus.
Sources
Ask about Qiandaohu
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