West Lake Private Boat Charter Service

West Lake Private Boat Charter Service

Experience the timeless beauty of Hangzhou’s West Lake from the comfort of your own private boat. Whether you're planning a romantic celebration, a family gathering, a corporate event, or simply seeking a more exclusive way to explore the lake, our West Lake Private Charter Cruise offers a personalized and unforgettable journey through one of China’s most iconic landscapes. Set against a backdrop of classical gardens, ancient pagodas, and tranquil waters, this tailor-made cruise combines cultural elegance with modern comfort—perfect for those who wish to enjoy West Lake at their own pace, with style and privacy.

Below is detailed information on West Lake cruise routes, departure docks, and boat types currently in operation.

1. Cruise Routes on West Lake

(1) Regular Sightseeing Routes

Island Visit Route
Route Description: Board a boat and cruise to Xiaoying Island (Three Pools Mirroring the Moon), one of the most iconic sights on West Lake. Visitors are free to explore the island at their own pace. The return boat trip is included.
Departure Docks: No.1 Park, No.2 Park, No.5 Park, Children's Palace, Zhongshan Park, Yue Fei Temple, Viewing Fish at Flower Pond, King Qian’s Temple, and Yue Lake.
Boat Types: Standard leisure boats, luxury leisure boats, traditional-style painted boats, and eco-friendly electric boats.

West Lake Circular Sightseeing Route
Route Description: A hop-on, hop-off style circular route with multiple scenic stops including Pavilion Bay Archery (No.1 Park), Lakeside Rain or Shine (No.5 Park), Broken Bridge Remnant Snow (Children’s Palace), Autumn Moon over Calm Lake (Zhongshan Park), Full Bloom under the Moon (Yue Fei Temple), Breeze-ruffled Lotus at Quyuan Garden (Guozhuang), Feelings of Moxia (Du Jinsheng’s Former Residence), Viewing Fish at Flower Pond, Farewell at the Eighteen Scenes (Changqiao), and Loyalty Memorial (King Qian’s Temple). Service may be suspended due to severe weather or other uncontrollable factors.
Departure Docks: No.1 Park, No.5 Park, Children’s Palace, Zhongshan Park, Yue Fei Temple, Yinxiubridge, Du Jinsheng, Viewing Fish at Flower Pond, Southern Waterside, King Qian’s Temple.
Boat Type: Standard leisure boats with 40 seats.

(2) “Lake Cruise with Song Dynasty Charm” Themed Route

Route Description: A complete lake tour aboard a large luxury painted boat, offering scenic views along with elements of “Song Dynasty-style culture.” The tour returns to the departure dock.
Departure Dock: No.5 Park
Boat Type: Large luxury painted boat

(3) Customized Themed Cruises

Private Charter Tailored Cruise
Route Features: Tailored routes and services are available to meet individual or group needs. Ideal for events such as lake-view weddings, corporate meetings, or private celebrations, using West Lake as a scenic backdrop and cruise boats as floating venues.
Route: Customizable according to guests’ preferences.
Booking Notes: Private bookings start at one hour, with content tailored to client needs.

2. Operating Docks

Details for operating docks vary by route and boat type. Popular docks include No.1 Park, No.2 Park, No.5 Park, Children’s Palace, Zhongshan Park, Yue Fei Temple, Viewing Fish at Flower Pond, and King Qian’s Temple, among others. Our travel service can assist you in selecting the most suitable departure point based on your itinerary.

3. Boat Types

(1) Traditional Painted Boats

“Baoshi Fang” – G20 Summit Head-of-State Boat
This modern boat is inspired by the design of ancient imperial vessels. The first deck features transparent glass windows and traditional Chinese dragon pillars with rosewood seating, while the second level includes an open terrace with two pavilions at either end.

“Quanrao” Dragon Boat
Based on the historical imperial boat from the Southern Song Dynasty, famously illustrated by Yuan Dynasty artist Wang Zhenpeng. The Quanrao was rebuilt in 2004 following the historic artwork as a tribute to royal lake tours.

“Lanye” – G20 Summit Head-of-State Boat
The name comes from a classical line in “Ode to West Lake” by Yuan scholar Bai Tingyu. Its graceful, traditional appearance evokes the scenery of ancient paintings like “Along the River During the Qingming Festival.”

“Yujin Fang” (Phoenix Boat)
A large smart painted boat themed around the Chinese phoenix, integrating design elements from Hangzhou’s Southern Song heritage, Asian Games culture, and ancient city walls. Named after Phoenix Mountain, the seat of the Southern Song capital Lin’an, it symbolizes virtue, peace, and prosperity.

“Lotus Boat” – Small Smart Painted Boat
Inspired by the rare “Twin Lotus Blossom,” symbolizing unity and harmony. The boat features a double-lotus design, with one lotus sculpted above the water and its mirror reflection forming the second blossom.

“Shuiyue Lou” – Luxury Painted Boat
Its name is taken from a poem by Southern Song poet Chen Yunping. With a refined and classical appearance inspired by Hangzhou landmarks, this boat is one of the iconic representatives of high-end lake cruises.

“Yanshui Floating Residence” – Luxury Painted Boat
The name comes from a Ming Dynasty poem by Wen Zhengming. Its large size and residence-like structure resemble a floating pavilion, perfect for leisurely lake tours.

Additional Boat Sizes:
Luxury painted boats with 150, 120, or 100 seats, and 40-seat electric luxury painted boats, all suitable for large groups or private charter events. These boats provide spacious, comfortable onboard environments.

(2) Leisure Boats

Standard leisure boats with 40 or 60 seats are the most common type on West Lake, suitable for families, small groups, or affordable private hire.

The “Yang Gong Causeway Leisure Boat” accommodates up to 15 people and operates near the Yang Gong Causeway area. It’s perfect for relaxing trips while enjoying the surrounding landscapes and lake views.

(3) Specialty Boats

Self-drive Boats: Available in 4-seat and 6-seat options. Rentals are available at the Self-drive Boat Dock near the Broken Bridge. Visitors can drive the boats themselves, with rentals starting at 30 minutes.

Self-rowed Boats: 5-seat rowboats can be rented at Lakeside No.6 Park. Guests row the boats themselves. Rentals start from 1 hour, with extra time charged in 30-minute increments.

Hand-rowed Boats: 6-seat boats rowed by a boatman or boatwoman. Rental locations include Lakeside No.2 Park, No.5 Park, and the Broken Bridge Dock. Minimum rental is 1 hour, with extra time charged in 30-minute increments.

Price Per Person in US Dollars