Lingyin / North Peak
灵隐 / 北高峰
Temple grounds, forest climbs, and panoramic views from one of the highest points near West Lake.
The Lingyin area sits northwest of West Lake, at the foot of the hills that separate the lake basin from the country beyond. It is home to Lingyin Temple — one of the oldest and most significant Buddhist temples in China — and the forested slopes that climb toward North Peak, one of the best viewpoint summits around Hangzhou. The area combines cultural sights with hill hiking, making it a popular destination for both temple visitors and hikers.
How to Get There
Bus
Several bus lines serve the Lingyin Temple area from the city center. Use 灵隐寺 in map apps to find the current route from your location. Buses run regularly.
Taxi
A taxi from central Hangzhou to Lingyin Temple takes roughly 20–30 minutes. Show the driver 灵隐寺. The area can be busy on weekends and holidays, so allow extra time.
Best Time to Visit
Spring (March–May)
The temple gardens are lush and the weather is mild. Peak visitor season for both the temple and the hiking trail.
Autumn (October–November)
Clear skies and comfortable hiking temperatures. The best season for views from the North Peak summit.
Trails in This Area
Faxi Temple to North Peak via Dragon Ridge
A point-to-point traverse from the Tianzhu temple valley up to the Dragon Ridge, following the ridge crest past Longmen Mountain (the north ridge high point) and Meiren Peak to North Peak. Starts at one of Hangzhou's most photogenic temples and finishes with a temple descent.
Laoheyunqi to North Peak via Majiawu
A beginner-friendly ridge walk along the West Lake Hills spine from the Laoheyunqi archway to North Peak. Gradual ascent, panoramic city-and-lake views from the Majiawu viewing platform, and a Fortune Temple summit finish.
Laoheyunqi to Yangjiapailou Dragon Ridge Traverse
A ~10–11.5 km ridge traverse covering the entire northern spine of the West Lake Hills — from Laoheyunqi to North Peak along the north ridge, then continuing west along the Dragon Ridge past Meiren Peak and Longmen Mountain to Shiren Pavilion, descending through Yongxing Temple to Yangjiapailou. The longest ridge walk in the Lingyin network.
Lingyin to North Peak
A temple-side forest climb to one of the best panoramic viewpoints over West Lake. Moderate effort, big reward.
Meijiawu to North Peak via Sanfena
A ~12-14 km challenge route combining the Shili Langdang tea-ridge ascent with a wild-trail ridge crossing to North Peak. The longest, most demanding walk on the site — paved tea ridge, technical dirt trail, and summit finish.
Lingyin to Xiaoyawu Traverse
A beginner-friendly ridge traverse from Lingyin through Tianzhu temples and forest ridge to a quiet tea village. Minimal crowds, varied terrain, no entrance fee.
Qingzhiwu to North Peak Loop via Lingyin
A varied loop through tea fields, bamboo forest, and temple grounds to the North Peak summit, with a village finish. Wild terrain and cultural sights in a single half-day circuit.
Yangjiapailou to North Peak Loop
A moderate loop from Yangjiapailou up the Dragon Ridge past Longmen Mountain (the north ridge high point) and Meiren Peak to North Peak, returning via Fahua Temple and the Xixi Valley Greenway. The most elevation-rich circuit in the Lingyin area, with broad ridge vistas and temple stops.