Qiandao Lake (Thousand Island Lake) is a massive artificial lake created by the Xin'an River Dam in 1959, flooding a valley to create 1,078 islands of varying sizes. The 140km cycling ring road circles the entire lake, offering constantly changing views of emerald-green water, forested islands, and lush mountain scenery. The road is well-paved with dedicated cycling lanes on many sections, making it one of the best road cycling routes in China. The route passes through tunnel sections, lakeside villages, tea plantations, and several scenic overlooks. The eastern shore is more developed with resorts and facilities, while the western shore is quieter and more natural. The lake's water is famously clean — it's the source of a major bottled water brand (Nongfu Spring). Spring brings cherry blossoms and fresh tea harvests, while autumn paints the mountains in gold and red.
Moderate. The route has rolling hills with a few sustained climbs, particularly on the western shore. Total elevation gain is about 800m over 140km. The road is well-paved with good surfaces throughout. Most cyclists complete the loop in one long day (7-9 hours) or split it into two days with an overnight in a lakeside village. The tunnel sections are well-lit but require caution. Suitable for regular cyclists with moderate fitness. Road bikes are ideal for this route — the surfaces are excellent.
Everything you need to know as an international traveler planning this cycling route in China.
Chun'an County (淳安县, the main town at Qiandao Lake) has several bike rental shops near the lakefront promenade and the bus station. Road bikes: ¥80-120/day, mountain bikes: ¥50-80/day, ¥300-500 deposit. Passport required. Quality varies — inspect brakes and gears before accepting. Electric bikes: ¥60-80/day (popular for casual riders). Some hotels also rent bikes to guests. Recommended: book in advance during peak season (April-May, October). Bring your own pedals and saddle if you're particular about fit. The ring road is excellent for road bikes — smooth surfaces and good gradients.
Fly to Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH), then take a bus to Qiandao Lake (千岛湖): ¥65-80, 2-2.5 hours. Buses depart from Hangzhou West Bus Station (杭州汽车西站). High-speed train to Qiandao Lake Station (千岛湖站) on the Huangshan-Hangzhou line — from Hangzhou (45 min, ¥48), from Shanghai (2h, ¥120), from Huangshan (30 min, ¥35). From the train station, take bus or taxi to Chun'an town center (20 min). The cycling starting point is the lakeside promenade in Chun'an. If coming from Shanghai, the total travel time is about 3 hours.
Start at the Chun'an lakeside promenade (千岛湖秀水广场). Cycle clockwise: south shore → west shore → north shore → east shore → back to Chun'an. The east shore (G330) is flatter and more developed — good for warming up or cooling down. The west shore has the best scenery and the most challenging climbs. Key stops: Qiandao Lake Bridge (best panoramic view), the tunnel section on the west shore (3 tunnels, 1-2km each), and Meifeng Island viewing platform. Full loop: ~140km, 7-9 hours for fit cyclists. Two-day option: Day 1 Chun'an → west shore → Jiangjiazheng (overnight), ~70km. Day 2 Jiangjiazheng → north shore → east shore → Chun'an, ~70km.
Alipay and WeChat Pay accepted everywhere — this is Zhejiang, one of China's most digital provinces. All shops, restaurants, and bike rentals accept mobile payment. Qiandao Lake scenic area entrance: ¥130 (includes boat tour to islands). Tunnel road toll: free for cyclists. Guesthouses: ¥150-400/night. Meals: ¥40-80/meal. Budget: ¥300-500 for a one-day trip including bike rental and food. International credit cards not accepted at most venues.
Chun'an is a tourist town — some English is spoken at hotels and the scenic area ticket office. Bike rental shops may have limited English. Useful phrases: 千岛湖 (qiān dǎo hú) = Qiandao Lake; 淳安 (chún ān) = Chun'an; 环湖 (huán hú) = around the lake; 自行车 (zì xíng chē) = bicycle; 隧道 (suì dào) = tunnel. Download a translation app for offline use. Signage around the lake has some English translations at major scenic points.
Good 4G/5G signal on the east and south shores. Signal becomes weaker in tunnel sections and on parts of the west shore. Download offline maps before starting. WiFi available at hotels and restaurants in Chun'an. Carry a power bank for GPS navigation. The ring road is well-signed with kilometer markers — navigation is straightforward (just follow the lake). Google Maps works but Baidu Maps is more accurate for cycling routes.
Chun'an County First People's Hospital (淳安县第一人民医院): 0571-64812345. Ambulance: 120. The scenic area has tourist information centers with basic first aid. Bike repair: several shops in Chun'an town. On the route, small village repair shops exist but may not have road bike parts. If you have a mechanical failure on the west shore, wait for a passing vehicle — the road has moderate traffic during daylight hours. Carry basic repair tools (tube, pump, levers).
Based on 387 reviews from international cyclists who have completed this route. Ratings reflect route quality, scenery, infrastructure, and overall experience.
Last verified: August 1, 2026