Life advice: Don't leave Hangzhou until you've visited these 3 maple viewing routes!

Don't leave Hangzhou until you've visited these 3 maple viewing routes! Seriously, Hangzhou's beauty will soon surpass Kyoto! In early December, Hangzhou will enter the stunning maple season. I stayed up late for several nights to organize 3 classic maple viewing routes. If you're planning to visit Hangzhou soon, don't miss out. These 3 routes are all about 6.5 km long, and take about 6–7 hours to complete. You can spend a whole day leisurely exploring them by bike or on foot, and the scenery along the way is breathtaking. West Lake Maple Viewing Walk: Start from Lushui Fuzhu, pass by Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake, Quyuan Fenghe, Guo's Villa, and Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor, and finally arrive at Prince Bay. Walk along Beishan Street to Yang Gong Causeway, and then to Prince Bay Park on Nanshan Road. This is the "Inner West Lake" route that locals love. Sitting on a bench by West Lake to view the maple leaves is the ultimate romantic experience. Quyuan Fenghe and Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor have lots of maple leaves, while the other attractions are small and exquisite, each with its own charm. Temple Maple Viewing Trip: First go to Hangzhou Botanical Garden, then walk along Lingyin Road to Lingyin Temple, then to Yongfu Temple, and finally to Faxi Temple in Upper Tianzhu. Yuyuan Fish Leap in the Botanical Garden is a classic spot for viewing maple leaves. From Lingyin Road to Lingyin Temple, the red, yellow, and green leaves are intertwined, creating a beautiful picture. Yongfu Temple is next to Lingyin Temple and is a hidden gem for maple viewing. The Upper Tianzhu trail is also full of beautiful scenery. Forest Maple Viewing Tour: Start from Hupao Park, pass by Manjuelong, Yangmeiling, Lian Temple, and Jiuxi Yanshu, and finally arrive at Jiuxi No. 1 Bridge. This route has an elevation gain of about 100m, so it's relatively tiring. Hupao Park is a hidden gem for locals, and the maple leaves inside have a unique charm. Jiuxi Yanshu is a classic landmark for maple viewing in Hangzhou. When you reach No. 1 Bridge, you can also take photos of the small waterfall and water reflections.