A narrow, willow-lined lake garden in the northwest of the old city, laid out by salt merchants and Qing emperors and the city's best-known scenic area.
Slender West Lake (Shouxi Hu) is a 4.3 km ribbon of water that runs from the Yangzhou city moat north-west toward Shugang hill. Its name comes from a Qing poet who compared it to the broader West Lake at Hangzhou, but narrower and more graceful. The Qianlong Emperor toured here in the 18th century and local salt merchants, competing to impress him, built the pavilions, bridges and island gardens that still define the lake.
The classic route follows the water: Xiaojinshan island, the Five Pavilion Bridge (Wuting Qiao, with 15 arch openings that frame moonlight on mid-autumn night), and the White Pagoda (Baita), a 1784 replica of the Beihai Pagoda in Beijing built overnight in brick for the emperor. The park is big; walk the path or take the boat to save time. The spring willow season and autumn evenings are the highest-value times.
| Admission | Adult About CNY 100 (~$14) in the low season; about CNY 120-150 (~$17-21) in peak seasons, plus CNY 30-50 (~$4-7) for boat sections · Child Children under 1.2 m free; students and seniors about half price with ID |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily about 07:00-18:00 (summer to 18:30; last entry about 30 minutes earlier) |
| Typical visit | 3-4 hours |
| Best time | Weekday mornings in April (willows and blossom) or on autumn evenings |
| Getting there | City bus or Didi from the old city about 20-30 minutes; Didi about CNY 25-35 (~$4-5) |
| Address | 28 Dahongqiao Road, Slender West Lake Scenic Area, Yangzhou / 扬州市邗江区大虹桥路28号瘦西湖风景区 |
Good to know
- Best for
- first-time visitors, photographers, couples
Location
28 Dahongqiao Road, Slender West Lake Scenic Area, Yangzhou / 扬州市邗江区大虹桥路28号瘦西湖风景区
32.4125, 119.4177 View on map
Highlights
- Five Pavilion Bridge with 15 arches
- White Pagoda built in 1784 for the Qianlong Emperor
- Xiaojinshan island and lakeside pavilions
- Lake boat ride under Qing-era bridges
Tips for visiting
- Enter by the south gate (Main Gate) on Dahongqiao Road and exit by the north gate near Daming Temple if combining the two
- Buy tickets on the official WeChat mini-program or Trip.com to skip the gate queue
- Take the lake boat from Yuhua dock to Wuting Bridge for the classic view of the Five Pavilion Bridge and the White Pagoda
- Passport is needed for real-name tickets; foreign visitors can use the staffed counter
When to visit
Weekday mornings in April for willows, or autumn evenings for light and lower crowds
Accessibility
Mostly paved and flat, but several bridges and the White Pagoda have steps; wheelchair users can use the main loop and boat landings with assistance.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slender West Lake take?
Three to four hours covers the lake path, the island gardens and a boat ride.
Can foreigners buy tickets?
Yes. Use the staffed ticket counter with a passport or book on Trip.com.
Is it better to walk or take the boat?
Both: the boat covers the southern half quickly, and walking the north path gives the best views of Five Pavilion Bridge.