Published : 04/05/2026
West Lake is Hangzhou's best-known landmark, drawing visitors year after year with its celebrated beauty. Yet beyond its busiest sights lie quieter corners with stories of their own, and Maojiabu is one of them.
More peaceful than the main lakeside areas, it offers willow-fringed water, swaying reeds and country paths that feel far removed from the crowds.
It is quiet, poetic scenery has also made it a favourite with photographers, gradually bringing this once-overlooked spot into wider view.
Maojiabu: The starting point of a historic pilgrimage route
Maojiabu, located on the west side of the West Lake scenic area, borders Yanggong Causeway to the east and joins Longjing Road to the west; apart from festivals or holidays, there are not usually many visitors, making it a relatively niche attraction by West Lake.
According to the Song Dynasty record 'Wulin Jiu Shi', most of the people who lived in Maojiabu in the past were surnamed "Mao" and made a living by picking tea and raising silkworms, and since the jetty at the village entrance was often overgrown with thatch grass, it was thus given the name "Maojiabu".
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In the past, Maojiabu was also the starting point of the well-known incense trail to Lingyin Temple.
Pilgrims travelling to the temple on Tianzhu Hill would first take a boat to Maojiabu, come ashore, and often stop for a vegetarian meal before continuing on foot along the old route. During peak seasons for worship and ancestor rites, the area would be filled with visitors and lively with activity.
That changed in the 1940s, when road access made it easier for worshippers to reach Lingyin Temple by car. As a result, the old pilgrimage route gradually fell into quiet decline.
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In 2003, the West of West Lake Comprehensive Conservation Project was launched, and Maojiabu was comprehensively renovated and restored. In addition to expanding the wetland area, the "Incense Trail" was also reinstated, allowing visitors to explore its secluded beauty, visit ancient sites, and experience traditional Chinese culture.
Today, Maojiabu focuses on a unique tourism experience of 'rustic charm', and with over 40 farmhouse inns having opened, it has become a lodging spot for many people holidaying at West Lake, which has also boosted the local tourism economy.
A walk along Maojiabu's country paths reveals small bridges, gentle streams and winding lanes that lead deeper into the landscape.
Willows dip towards the water, reeds sway by the lakeside, and flocks of migratory birds and wild ducks can often be seen playing on the lake, creating a scene of quiet, pastoral beauty.
When it is time to rest, visitors can stop at a nearby farmhouse restaurant for a cup of Longjing tea and a taste of local country cooking. It is an easy way to take in the area’s peaceful atmosphere and the distinctive charm of this old lakeside village.
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