Strolling with kids at West Lake's Liulang Wenying, staying at these hotels is super convenient
Liulang Wenying Nanny-Level Guide|Teach You How to Capture the Wizard of Oz in the Green Wilderness
When visiting Hangzhou with kids, you must go to Liulang Wenying to take a series of Wizard of Oz-style photos!
Spring in Hangzhou is like a huge green energy field. This greenery is not static; it flows, breathes, and grows.
Your body and mind feel gently wrapped by nature, and the fatigue of the journey melts away in Hangzhou’s greenery.
Standing under the bridge, you look up to see an arched stone bridge spanning a small river, covered with vines. Dense trees line both banks, tall maple branches stretch out, tender green leaves form a canopy, sunlight filters through the treetops casting dappled shadows, and the bridge’s reflection in the water is picturesque... The entire bridge arch looks like a mysterious "Wizard of Oz" scene that makes kids exclaim in delight!
Three ways to take parent-child photos:
Dynamic dappled green light: Capture the magic of sunlight
This green is full of life, with sunlight filtering through layers of leaves, casting mottled light and shadows on the water and stone walls.
Best time to shoot: Choose early morning or late afternoon when the light is soft and slants into the bridge arch, casting beautiful dappled shadows on the water and stone walls, perfect for a stunning light-and-shadow photo series of your kids.
Dreamlike tranquil green: Create a "Garden of Words" atmosphere
This green is quiet and moist, especially on rainy days when the whole scene is filled with mist, like a flowing ink painting.
Best time to shoot: Rainy days or early morning when the mist hasn’t lifted are ideal for a full dreamy atmosphere.
Interaction with greenery: Capture atmospheric photos without showing faces
When shooting "Wizard of Oz," people are accents, blending into the scenery rather than the main focus. Let kids look down playing with water, picking leaves, running and jumping, capturing natural moments for a great vibe.
📍Specific route: Enter from the east gate of Liulang Wenying, walk straight along the main road on the right, cross the bridge, then take the small path to the right. At the end, go down to the riverbank where reflections and greenery fill your view.
Return to the main road and continue forward to find Wenying Pavilion. Next to the "Wenying Pavilion" stone tablet, there is a stone staircase leading down to the creek. Walk down the stairs, and the rustic stone arch bridge covered with vines and moss — Xin Henghe Bridge — and the emerald secret realm beneath it will suddenly appear before your eyes.
Parent-child travel tips:
1. Prepare light-colored dresses for kids; they look great in photos
2. Bring a small net to catch little fish; kids love playing with it
3. It’s windy by the lake, so bring jackets for the kids
4. It’s best to visit early morning or late afternoon when there are fewer people and the light is better
Accommodation
🏨Hangzhou West Lake Liuyingli Hotel
Boasting 400 meters of private lakeshore, renovated from the Republic of China era "Xia Family Garden," a hidden luxury by West Lake
🏨Nanfengju Homestay (Liulang Wenying Branch, West Lake Scenic Area)
5-minute walk to Liulang Wenying, cozy and comfortable, friendly owner, excellent value for money
🏨Hangzhou West Lake Scenic Area Liulang Wenying Apartment
Zero distance to West Lake, spacious family rooms, kitchen available, suitable for both short and long stays
🏨West Lake Riverside・Elegant Jiangnan One-Bedroom
5-minute walk to West Lake, with the lakeside shopping district downstairs, super convenient for dining and shopping
Other visitors' reviews of Orioles Singing in the Willows
Show More ReviewsThis is Liulang Wenying Park, one of the ten scenic spots of West Lake in Hangzhou. Located on the southeast bank of West Lake, along Qingbomen/Nanshan Road (No. 87 Nanshan Road, Xihu District), it was originally the Juying Garden, a former imperial garden of the Southern Song Dynasty. The park was restored to its former glory during the Qing Dynasty and is now an open, free park. It comprises four main scenic areas: Friendship, Wenying, Juying, and Nanyuan. It is famous for its distinctive willows, such as the Drunken Willow, Lion Willow, and Washing Willow, where willows sway in the spring breeze and orioles sing. A bridge there has become a popular spot for photos, and many online guides mention it. It covers approximately 21 hectares, stretching along the lake, and offers distant views of Leifeng Pagoda and Nanping Mountain. Free admission all day. Best time to visit: March-May (spring willows and orioles). Transportation and parking: Bus to Qingbomen Station; accessible by walking from Ding'an Road Station (Metro Line 1) or Wushan Square Station (Metro Line 7).