Solitary Hill (Gushan) in Hangzhou

Solitary Hill (Gushan) in Hangzhou

Solitary Hill in Hangzhou Facts

Hangzhou Solitary Hill, situated at the northwestern corner of West Lake, is 38 meters (about 125 feet) above sea-level, and covers an area of 300 mu (nearly 50 acres). It is the lowest summit, compared to other hills around West Lake, but it is also the biggest island in the lake, and the only natural island as well.

Chinese Name: 孤山

Type: One of the 10 Scenes of the West Lake; Islands

Address: Gushan Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou 310000, China

Best Seasons: All year round; Spring and autumn best.

Recommended Visiting Hours: about 2.5 hours

Opening Hours: All day

Ticket: Free

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Why is Solitary Hill in Hangzhou So Special?

  1. One of the 10 Scenes of the West Lake
    This island is known as one of the best views of West Lake. Indeed, under the Southern Song Emperor, Kangxi had instituted the moonlight watching from a boat on the lake in autumn. This is the landscape of the autumn moon over the calm lake. Today, you can still admire a clear beautiful moon since Zhonghan garden on the Solitary Hill.
  2. Solitary Hill (Gū Shān, 孤山), or Solitary Island, the largest island on the lake and a lovely place to wander and explore, Solitary Hill affords visitors fine lake views and a number of significant attractions. For anyone interested in Chinese history, symbolism or legend, the island is crowded with fascinating monuments and sites. For those simply after a pleasant day outdoors amidst beautiful scenery, Solitary Hill fits the bill nicely.

Brief Introduction of Solitary Hill

Hangzhou Solitary Hill, situated at the northwestern corner of West Lake, is 38 meters (about 125 feet) above sea-level, and covers an area of 300 mu (nearly 50 acres). It is the lowest summit, compared to other hills around West Lake, but it is also the biggest island in the lake, and the only natural island as well.

Solitary Hill got this name because it is surrounded by water, standing solitarily in West Lake. It can also be called Solitary Island, for it is a lonely island rather than a hill. Its other name: Plum Blossom Island, originates from the flourishing plum blossom planted on the hill.

Main Attractions of Solitary Hill

Solitary Hill boasts of beautiful landscapes. It is bordered by Bai Causeway on the east, Xi Ling Bridge on the west, the Outer West Lake on the south, and the Inner West Lake on the north. Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake, one of the ten scenes of the West Lake; is formed on the boundary of Solitary Hill and Bai Causeway. Solitary Hill is an ideal place to enjoy the beauty of West Lake.

In addition, there are a lot of cultural relics in the scenic area. At the south foot lies Zhejiang Museum, Wen Lan Pavilion (attracting many literati), and Zhongshan Park in the middle of the hill. The park was rebuilt on the site of an imperial garden of the Qing Dynasty, and was opened in 1927 to commemorate Sun Yat-sen, the great leader of the Xinhai Revolution in 1911. At the west foot is Fang He Pavilion, which is related to Lin Bu and his story ‘Plum wife and crane son’, and the Tomb of Qiu Jin, a great female revolutionist at the end of the Qing Dynasty. On the top of the hill, there is Xi Ling Seal Society, dedicated to the study of seals. This area also includes Cypress Hall, Bamboo Pavilion and Si Zhao Pavilion.

The best time to visit Solitary Hill is in winter or in early spring, for at this time, you can enjoy the plum blossom as well as the usual sights.

Recommended Tour Packages

Best Seasons to Visit Hangzhou

  • Many people in China believe that spring and autumn are the two best seasons to visit Hangzhou, specially late March-May and September-mid November.
  • In these seasons, temperature is warm but not hot. Daytime temperature ranges from mid 10s to mid 20s centigrade, and night time temperature ranges from low 10s to low 20s.
  • Spring is the best season to visit the West Lake because all kinds of flowers are blossoming that time. In order: plum blossom, peach blossom, and cherry blossom.
  • Autumn is also very nice and my favorite because of the yellow and red leaves.
  • However, I suggest avoiding the last week of September and the first 2 weeks of October because that’s when the city becomes packed with tourists from the golden week holidays.

How to get to Solitary Hill in Hangzhou

Travel with ChinaDragonTours (top recommended)

If you want to get out of the traffic and hassle of navigation, you can book a private tour package that includes visiting, dining and transfer from us. Our local guide and driver will escort you to Solitary Hill in Hangzhou in the fastest and most convenient way and take care of all the details. You just have to focus on the visiting.

Independent Traveler

Take bus no. Y10 to get off at Xileng Bridge Station or Zhejiang Provincial Museum Station.

Useful Travel Tips

  1. Avoid visiting during school holidays and Golden Week in October as there will be large numbers of local tourists.
  2. Accommodation

    We’ve got 20 hotels to pick from within just a mile of Solitary Hill. You may want to think about one of these choices that are popular with our travelers:

    Shangri-La Hotel Hangzhou
    • 4.5-star hotel • Free parking • Free WiFi • 2 restaurants • Central location

    TRAVELLINGWITH x JNBYHOME HANGZHOU
    • 3-star hotel • Free WiFi • Café • 24-hour front desk • Walkable location

    Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake
    • 5-star hotel • Free parking • Free WiFi • 2 restaurants • Walkable location

    Hiking Hotel Hangzhou
    • 3.5-star hotel • Free parking • Free WiFi • Restaurant

    Pod Inn Hangzhou Westlake
    • 3-star guesthouse • Free parking • Free WiFi • Restaurant

Nearby Attractions

Edited by Bella Ren/任新月