On This Page
The Trail Experience
If West Lake is Hangzhou's postcard, Nine Creeks and Eighteen Gullies (九溪十八涧, Jiǔ Xī Shíbā Jiàn) is its soul. This 6-kilometer forest trail winds through a narrow valley in the hills southwest of the lake, following a clear mountain stream as it tumbles over smooth rocks and pools. The path is entirely paved — more of a gentle stroll than a hike — and shaded by a dense canopy of camphor, maple, and bamboo. It is, without exaggeration, one of the most beautiful urban-adjacent nature walks in China.
The trail's magic lies in its sensory richness. The sound of water is constant — sometimes a gentle trickle, sometimes a rushing cascade after rain. In spring, the surrounding tea terraces glow in brilliant green, dotted with tea pickers in wide-brimmed hats. In autumn, the maple trees lining the path turn crimson and gold, their leaves carpeting the stone steps. Even in summer, the dense tree cover keeps the trail remarkably cool, making it a popular escape from Hangzhou's humid heat.
💡 Insider Tip
Visit on a weekday morning, especially after a night of rain. The streams will be fuller, the air will be cooler, and you will share the trail with only a handful of locals. On weekends and holidays, the first kilometer can get busy, but the crowds thin out quickly as you go deeper.
What "Nine Creeks" Means
The name is poetic but literal: the trail follows a stream that branches and rejoins repeatedly, and along the 6-kilometer route, the path crosses the water 18 times via small stone stepping-stones or low bridges. "Nine" and "eighteen" are auspicious numbers in Chinese culture — nine (九, jiǔ) sounds like "long-lasting," and eighteen is simply double-nine. The actual number of crossings varies depending on water levels, but the experience of hopping from stone to stone across crystal-clear water is the trail's defining feature.
The water itself comes from springs in the surrounding hills and is clean enough that locals sometimes bottle it for making tea. Small pools form at several points along the trail, and in summer you will see children (and brave adults) wading in the shallows. The water temperature stays cool year-round, fed by underground springs that originate deep in the Longjing tea mountains.
Starting Points & Route
There are two main ways to approach Nine Creeks:
Option A — Downhill (Easier): Start at Longjing Village (龙井村) and walk downhill toward the Qiantang River. This is the more popular direction because you end at a bus stop with easy access back to the city. Take Bus 27 or 87 to Longjing Village, then follow the signs for 九溪十八涧. The trail descends gently through tea terraces before entering the forested gorge.
Option B — Uphill (More Rewarding): Start at the Nine Creeks bus terminus (九溪公交站) near the Qiantang River and walk uphill toward Longjing Village. This direction saves the best scenery — the tea terraces opening up as you emerge from the forest — for the finale. Take Bus 4, 308, or 318 to the Nine Creeks stop.
Either way, the trail is well-marked and impossible to get lost on — just follow the stream. Allow 2–3 hours for a leisurely walk with stops for photos and tea.
Photography & Tea Houses
Nine Creeks is a photographer's dream. The interplay of light filtering through the canopy onto the stream creates constantly changing patterns, and the stepping-stone crossings make for classic Hangzhou shots. The best light is in the early morning (7:00–9:00 AM) when mist often lingers in the valley and the low-angle sun creates dramatic beams through the trees. Bring a polarizing filter if you have one — it helps cut the glare on the water.
About halfway along the trail, you will encounter a cluster of small tea houses where you can stop for a cup of authentic Longjing tea (around ¥30–50 per pot). These are family-run operations, often with terraces overlooking the stream. The tea is locally grown — you are literally drinking tea from the hills you are walking through. Some tea houses also serve simple meals like noodles and dumplings.
Combine with Longjing Village
The natural pairing is to combine Nine Creeks with a visit to Longjing Village (龙井村), the birthplace of China's most famous green tea. If you start at Longjing Village, spend an hour exploring the tea terraces and visiting the Dragon Well (the ancient spring that gives the tea its name) before beginning your walk. If you end at Longjing Village, reward yourself with a tea-tasting session and a meal at one of the village's farm-to-table restaurants.
For a full day of exploration, you can also connect Nine Creeks to the Yunqi Bamboo Forest via a side trail that branches off near the midpoint — ask at any tea house for directions.
🌱 What to Bring
Wear shoes you do not mind getting slightly wet (the stepping stones can be splashy). Bring water, insect repellent in summer, and a light jacket in autumn. There are limited facilities along the trail — use the restroom at your starting point.