The Bai Causeway (白堤) at Hangzhou’s West Lake (杭州西湖) starts at “Broken Bridge” (断桥残雪) in the east, passes through Jindai Bridge (锦带桥), and ends at “Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake” (平湖秋月) in the west, stretching about 2 kilometers. It spans across West Lake, connecting Gushan Island (孤山) and Beishan Road (北山街).

While Su Causeway (苏堤) was indeed built by Su Shi (苏轼, a famous poet, writer, and calligrapher of the Song Dynasty), some may mistakenly think that Bai Causeway was constructed by Bai Juyi (白居易, a renowned poet and official of the Tang Dynasty). This is not true. The Bai Causeway was originally named “Baisha Causeway” (白沙堤). Bai Juyi, a great admirer of West Lake during his time as governor of Hangzhou, once wrote: “I never tire of walking the eastern shore of the lake, along the White Sand Causeway shaded by green willows” (最爱湖东行不足，绿杨阴里白沙堤). To honor him, the causeway was later renamed “Bai Causeway.”

👉 Today, we’ll explore a relaxing walking route along the Bai Causeway:

📍 Broken Bridge (断桥) ➡️ Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake (平湖秋月) ➡️ Zhejiang Provincial Museum (Gushan Branch) (浙江省博物馆, 孤山馆区) ➡️ Zhongshan Park (中山公园) ➡️ Gushan Back Mountain (孤山后山) ➡️ Xiling Seal Art Society (西泠印社) ➡️ Xiling Bridge (西泠桥) ➡️ Quyuan Fenghe (Su Causeway) (曲院风荷, 苏堤)

🚇 Transportation:
Subway: Take Line 1 or 2 to Fengqi Road Station (凤起路站), Exit B or E, then walk 1.5 kilometers to Beishan Street (北山街), where you will reach Broken Bridge (断桥).
🚌 Bus: Route 7W and others, get off at Shaonian Gong (少年宫站).

1️⃣ Broken Bridge (断桥)
This is the entrance to Bai Causeway (白堤) and a must-visit spot for all West Lake (西湖) tourists. However, without the famous “snow view” of Broken Bridge (断桥残雪), it may seem like an ordinary bridge. But as you walk down the Bai Causeway, you’ll be mesmerized by the endless green willow branches swaying gracefully in the wind.

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2️⃣ Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake (平湖秋月)
One of the Ten Scenic Spots of West Lake (西湖十景之一).
Near the end of Bai Causeway (白堤), you’ll find a garden-like entrance. If you’re not paying attention, you might miss it, but once inside, it offers a unique charm. There is also a direct bus to Leifeng Pagoda (雷峰塔) from the exit.

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3️⃣ Zhejiang Provincial Museum (Gushan Branch) (浙江省博物馆, 孤山馆区)
A little ahead from Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake (平湖秋月), you’ll see the museum’s entrance. Reservation is required.
This is the old museum; the new branch is at Zhijiang Cultural Center (之江文化中心).

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4️⃣ Zhongshan Park (中山公园)
The pair of white marble lions at the gate are relics from the Ming Dynasty (明代). The park was built on the site of the Qing Dynasty Imperial Garden (清代行宫御花园). It was named in honor of Sun Yat-sen (孙中山, the founding father of the Republic of China) in 1927.
Upon entering, you’ll see the large “Gushan” (孤山) inscription. Many visitors take a quick look and leave, but that’s a big mistake!
Make sure to walk further to the back, heading west along the hillside. You’ll find it much less crowded. Along the way, you’ll pass the ruins of Su Manshu‘s (苏曼殊, a Chinese poet, painter, and monk from the late Qing Dynasty) tomb, and the Xiling Seal Art Society (西泠印社), leading to the exit with the Seal Art Museum (印学博物馆) and Qiu Jin‘s (秋瑾, a revolutionary heroine and feminist) tomb.

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5️⃣ Xiling Seal Art Society (西泠印社)
Established in 1904 during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty (清光绪三十年), its mission is to “preserve inscriptions, study seal art, and promote calligraphy and painting.” It is known as the “First Seal Art Society in the World” (天下第一名社).

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6️⃣ Xiling Bridge (西泠桥)
Standing here, you’ll have the perfect angle for capturing one of the most popular spots, often called “the most beautiful corner of West Lake” (西湖最美转角).
Across the way is the tomb of Su Xiaoxiao (苏小小, a famous courtesan and poet from the Southern Qi Dynasty, 南齐).

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7️⃣ Quyuan Fenghe, Su Causeway (曲院风荷, 苏堤)
If you wish to continue, you can walk past Xiling Bridge (西泠桥) and follow the lakeside path. After passing Wu Song‘s tomb (武松墓, a legendary folk hero from the Song Dynasty, 宋代), you’ll arrive at the entrance to Su Causeway (苏堤) on Beishan Street (北山街), where you can visit another of the Ten Scenic Spots of West Lake (西湖十景之一), “Quyuan Fenghe” (曲院风荷) known for its beautiful lotus flowers and tranquil atmosphere. From here, you can continue exploring Su Causeway (苏堤).

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