Lingyin to Xiaoyawu Traverse Hike

From the Lingyin Temple Bus Stop 灵隐寺公交站, walk east along Tianzhu Road (天竺路). This paved pedestrian lane runs parallel to a small stream and is shaded by mature trees. After about 100 metres you will pass the entrance to Lingyin Temple on your left — do not enter; continue straight on Tianzhu Road. (If you do wish to visit Lingyin Temple before or after the hike, note that the Feilai Peak scenic area is now free but requires advance reservation via Alipay — see FAQ for full details.) The path soon becomes a quieter lane passing Lingyin's side wall, with bamboo groves on the right. Continue past the 三天竺法镜讲寺 (Three Tianzhu Fajing Temple) on your left — this is the first of the Three Tianzhu Temples (门票 10 RMB if you wish to visit). A further 450 metres brings you to 中天竺法净禅寺 (Zhongtianzhu Fajing Temple), the second of the three temples. This is your last reliable point for toilets and a small shop before the ridge section.

Caution: The stone path can be damp in the morning — watch your footing on the mossy sections near the stream. Mosquitoes are active near the bamboo groves; apply repellent before starting this section.

Photo suggestion: Tianzhu Road — paved path with stream and bamboo grove.

Just past the Fajing Temple grounds, look for a narrow trail heading uphill into the bamboo forest on the right — this is the turn-off from the main Tianzhu Road onto the ridge path. The trail surface transitions from paved lane to packed dirt and stone steps, climbing steadily through dense bamboo and mixed woodland. This section is the most sustained climb of the traverse. After approximately 30 minutes of climbing, the trail opens onto a rocky outcrop — 鹰嘴崖 (Eagle Beak Cliff), named for a large rock formation that juts out over the valley like an eagle's beak. The cliff offers unobstructed views over the surrounding hills and, on clear days, a glimpse of West Lake to the east.

Caution: The path after Fajing Temple is an unofficial trail — look carefully for worn ground and marker ribbons tied to branches, as signage is minimal. The trail can be muddy after rain. At Eagle Beak Cliff, the edge is unguarded — do not lean over or climb onto the rock formation for photos. A fall would be serious.

Photo suggestion: Bamboo forest trail on the ascent from Fajing Temple.

From Eagle Beak Cliff, continue along the ridge trail heading southeast. The terrain here is gentler than the climb up — rolling hills with short ups and downs through mixed forest. Occasional gaps in the canopy reveal the tea terraces of Longjing Village 龙井村 below and the broader sweep of the West Lake hills. After approximately 20 minutes the trail meets the main Shili Langdang (十里琅珰) path — a well-maintained stone-paved ridge trail that is one of Hangzhou's most classic hiking corridors. Turn left and follow this path for another 10 minutes to reach 梵音亭 (Fanyin Pavilion), a wooden rest pavilion perched on the ridge with views of West Lake to the east and the Longjing tea valley to the west. Just beyond Fanyin Pavilion lies 天门山 (Tianmen Mountain, also known historically as Tianzhu Peak), the highest point in the West Lake hills at 412 metres. This exposed ridge section catches the full force of the wind — the views north toward the lake and south toward the Qiantang River are correspondingly expansive. (If you wish to extend the walk, Shili Langdang continues south past Liaowang Pavilion and Wanlin Beishan to Zhenji Temple and Yunqi Bamboo Path — a further 2–3 hours one-way.)

Caution: The ridge section is exposed to wind — on cool or windy days, keep a layer handy. The Shili Langdang path is shared with other hikers and occasional trail runners, so stay aware on narrow sections.

Photo suggestion: Fanyin Pavilion on Shili Langdang ridge with Longjing tea fields below.

From Fanyin Pavilion, continue south on the Shili Langdang stone path. After approximately 10 minutes, look for a descending side trail on the right that drops through the tea terraces toward the Meijiawu / Xiaoyawu valley. This descent is the longest continuous section of the traverse — about 2.5 km of downhill walking on a mix of stone steps and packed dirt paths. The trail winds through layered tea plantations, with the occasional farmhouse and persimmon tree breaking up the green. The path narrows in places — some sections are only wide enough for one person to pass. After 40–50 minutes of descent, the trail emerges onto the paved road at the edge of 小牙坞村 (Xiaoyawu Village). This tiny settlement of just 13 households — of which 8 run their own tea houses — sits at the foot of the tea hills like a quieter, smaller sibling to neighbouring Meijiawu. White-walled houses with dark-grey tile roofs line a stream that runs through the village centre, with stone footbridges and decorative rock features along the bank. A paved walking path follows the stream through the village and continues uphill toward Wuyun Mountain beyond. The bus stop at the village entrance is a 2-minute walk from the trail exit.

Caution: The descent is narrow in several spots — single-file only. Take your time on the steeper sections, especially after rain when the dirt path can be slick. Watch for loose gravel on the stone steps.

Photo suggestion: Tea terraces on the descent from Fanyin Pavilion toward Xiaoyawu.