West Lake (Xi Lake) is the signature running spot in Hangzhou. It’s also a large green space and a major visitor spot, featuring historical pagodas, cultural sites, tea fields, and scenic hills. The are many running options using the lake’s extensive system of paths: a full lake loop, two causeways, and several lakefront parks.

Lake Loop

It’s a thrill to do the full ~12.5 km loop around West Lake. There are paths around nearly the entire circumference — mainly paved, but some short sections of stone and on quiet roads. Highlights of the lake loop, starting at the north end at Liu Park:

  • KM 0-4. This eastern section is lovely, passing through several lakefront parks. It’s also the area that’s closest to the city, and hotels. There are beautiful trees, fountains, bridges, pagodas, and scenic viewpoints. 
  • KM 4-8: More varied, with a couple of inland sections. At km 5.5 is East Gate and the southern end of the 2.6 km Su Causeway. 
  • KM 8-10: On the west side of the lake — some pretty lakefront sections and tea fields. At KM 10 is the Kuahong Bridge and the northern end of the Su Causeway. 
  • KM 10-12.5. Beautiful section, almost all along the lake, with some lovely large trees. At KM 10.3, can connect to additional trails on Gushan Island.  At KM 12, the Bai Causeway is a scenic 1 km over the water, including Jindai Bridge, and leads to additional paths on Gushan. 

Shorter Loop Option: You can cut the full lake loop to 10.6 km by using the Su Causeway across the lake. 

Bai Causeway & Su Causeway 

One can run on two scenic causeways as a standalone run on West Lake or as add-ons/variations.

Su Causeway. Google Street View
  • Bai Causeway & Gushan: At the north end of the lake, the Bai Causeway/Jindai Bridge is a scenic, pedestrian-only 1 km run across the lake on a paved path. Nice water views and lined with willow and peach trees. The causeway leads to Gushan, an island with a couple of parks and some nice paths around green space. An out & back across on the causeway and around Gushan’s paths is 4 km. You can run to and around Gusham Hill. 
  • Su (Sū Dī) Causeway: This scenic causeway bisects the west end of the lake and goes for 2.6 km all the way across the lake from Beishan Road (north) to Nanshan Road (South). There are great water views, six stone bridges and lvoely willow trees and peach blossoms. 

Additional Paths in Parks

In addition to the paths around the lake, there are some opportunities to add with additional paths in the lakeside parks, particularly on the east side, closest to the city. Best bets are:

  • Liu Park/Wugong Park (northeast end)
  • West Lake Park, on the eastern side, between the Wenshui Pavilion and the Qingzhao Pavilion. Scenic paths, pagodas, willow trees & blossoms, scenic bridges. 
  • Area around Quyuan Garden at the north end (West Lake). 
  • North end — inland trails around Baoshi Mountain.