based on 153 reviewsHangzhou Botanical Garden is located inWest LakeIn the northwest, the entire botanical garden is filled with lush greenery, resembling a vast open-air plant museum. Visitors often come here during holidays to enjoy the scenery, take photos, and breathe in the fresh air. The garden is particularly lively during the early spring Lingfeng Plum Blossom Festival, when the flower exhibition takes place.
Park visit tips
The botanical garden has two entrances, north and south. After walking past the "Hangzhou Botanical Garden" archway and reaching the end, turning right leads to the north gate (Yuquan Gate), while turning left leads to the south gate. Both sides allow self-driving entry, with paid parking lots available. The garden requires walking to explore, and although there are many directional signs for tourist routes, it's still easy to get lost amid the vast greenery. Fortunately, this is the perfect place for a leisurely stroll, taking roughly 2–3 hours, so just allocate enough time.
Seasonal highlights
Hangzhou's warm and humid climate ensures the botanical garden offers scenic views year-round. The park is divided into sections based on plant species, including the maple and azalea garden ideal for spring visits (February–March).Taohuayuan; Osmanthus and crape myrtle garden in fallEarly spring attractions like Lingfeng Plum Blossom Viewing (January–February). There's also a Hundred Herbs GardenIt cultivates over 1,000 medicinal plants including the renowned "Zhejiang Eight Herbs," while the bamboo garden in the northeast corner features expansive bamboo groves that create a particularly serene atmosphere in summer.
Among all the views, the Lingfeng Plum Blossom Exploration in the western part of the botanical garden is a must-see. The large-scale flower exhibition held here every early spring is one of Hangzhou's grandest events, featuring blooming plum bonsai and various spring flowers that create perfect photo opportunities.
Beyond admiring the plants, the rectangular Yuquan Spring Pool near the Shanshui Garden in the northern part of the botanical garden is teeming with plump black carp and vibrant red-yellow koi, making it an ideal spot for fish watching and relaxation. This area is particularly popular with children, living up to its poetic name "Kingdom of Fish Joy" inscribed by calligrapher Dong Qichang on the corridor eaves. Nearby, the Han Meilin Art Museum showcases numerous works by the renowned artist Mr. Han Meilin, featuring metal exhibits on the first floor and paintings on the second. Art enthusiasts will find this museum well worth a visit.











