Qingzhiwu to North Peak Loop via Lingyin Hike

From the Qingzhiwu archway on Yugu Road 玉古路, walk straight through the pedestrian street past restaurants and guesthouses. At the far end of the village, the road bends left onto Yejialing Road 叶家岭路. Follow this lane as it narrows past a few houses. At the end of the lane, a stone slab path enters the tea fields on the left — this is the unmarked trail entrance for the Lingfengshan climb. The entrance is easy to miss; it is directly behind the last row of houses where the paved road ends.

Caution: The trail entrance at the end of Yejialing Road has no signage. Look for a stone slab path leading into the tea fields, not the paved lane that continues straight. If you reach the botanical garden wall, you have gone too far.

Photo suggestion: Qingzhiwu pedestrian street and the Yejialing Road approach.

The stone slab path climbs gently through layered tea terraces with open views back toward the city skyline. After 10–15 minutes, the path narrows to a dirt and gravel trail as it enters a forested section. This is the most sustained climb of the loop — approximately 200 m of elevation gain through mixed woodland with occasional breaks offering views of the hills to the north. The trail joins a wider paved path near the Lingfengshan 灵峰山 ridge, marked by a small clearing. From here, turn right (south) and follow the paved path for a short distance before picking up the dirt trail that continues toward North Peak.

Caution: This section uses an unofficial but well-worn trail through the forest. The dirt path can be muddy after rain — proper footwear is essential. Mosquitoes are active in the forested portion, particularly in summer. The open tea-field section has no shade — bring sun protection on hot days.

Photo suggestion: Tea terraces on the Lingfengshan climb with city views behind.

From the Lingfengshan ridge, follow the well-trodden dirt path heading south through mixed bamboo and broadleaf forest. The terrain here has rolling ups and downs rather than sustained climbing. After approximately 20 minutes, the path meets the main stone-paved trail that climbs toward North Peak. Turn left and follow the stone steps upward. The final 100 m to the summit plateau is a steep stone-step climb through bamboo groves. The trail emerges at the North Peak 北高峰 (Beigaofeng) summit — elevation ~313 m — where the Fortune Temple 灵顺寺 sits with its iconic red walls and golden characters against the sky.

Caution: The junction where the dirt path meets the stone-paved trail is not signposted. The last section of stone steps is steep and can be congested on weekends when day-trippers from the cable car crowd the summit. Take your time on the descent if coming back down the same steps.

Photo suggestion: Bamboo forest trail on the approach to North Peak.

The North Peak summit plateau offers a 360-degree panorama: West Lake to the east, the tea hills of Longjing and Meijiawu to the south, the Qiantang River on a clear day to the southeast, and the urban sprawl of Hangzhou to the north and west. The Fortune Temple 灵顺寺 (entrance fee approximately 8 RMB) stands at the summit — a small Buddhist temple known for its fortune sticks (求签, approximately 30 RMB, cash only). A viewing platform on the temple's lower level provides an unobstructed view for photos. A cable car station is located just below the summit on the south side (20 RMB one-way downhill, 30 RMB round trip). The cable car descends to a station near the Lingyin Temple area — useful if you need to cut the loop short or wish to skip the temple descent.

Caution: The summit can be busy, especially on weekends and during public holidays — you may be sharing the viewpoint with dozens of other visitors. The cable car queue can reach 20–30 minutes during peak times. Small shop at the summit sells water and snacks at inflated prices.

Photo suggestion: Fortune Temple at North Peak summit with West Lake visible in the distance.

From the summit, descend toward the cable car station but take the left fork before reaching the station entrance. A wide stone-step path descends through bamboo forest, passing a small pavilion mid-slope where you can rest. Continue downhill — at the next fork, bear right. (The left fork leads toward the Lingyin Temple main ticket barrier and the Feilai Peak entrance.) Follow the path as it narrows and passes a stone gateway that marks the entrance to Yongfu Temple 永福寺 upper courtyard. Yongfu Temple is one of the more peaceful temples in the complex — it sits on a hillside and is free to enter with a Feilai Peak reservation. The temple grounds include a tea garden (福泉茶院) where you can sit for a pot of Longjing tea (~30 RMB). From Yongfu Temple, continue climbing uphill for approximately 15 minutes along a stone-paved path to Taoguang Temple 韬光寺, which clings to the hillside below North Peak. Taoguang is smaller and quieter than Lingyin proper, with a small tea area and an atmospheric courtyard.

Caution: The fork before the cable car station is critical — taking the wrong fork sends you toward the Lingyin ticket barrier, not the temple courtyard. If you wish to skip the temples, you can continue straight instead of turning right, which leads directly down a paved lane to Baileqiao village in approximately 15 minutes.

Photo suggestion: Yongfu Temple tea garden with North Peak visible above.

From Taoguang Temple or the temple area, descend via a paved lane that winds downhill past guesthouses and tea houses. This lane emerges at Baileqiao Village 白乐桥 — a small settlement of restaurants, guesthouses, and a convenience store that serves as the natural meal stop for the loop. Recommended restaurants include Qingchun Pumen (庆春朴门, vegetarian, ~90 RMB) and Baile Restaurant (百乐饭店, ~70 RMB). From Baileqiao, walk approximately 1.2 km east along Lingzhi Road 灵溪路 back to the Qingzhiwu entrance archway on Yugu Road — a 20–30 minute flat walk. Alternatively, take bus 103 or 505 from the nearby Lingyin East 灵隐东 stop. If you took the cable car down earlier, you can skip the temple descent entirely and walk directly from the cable car station to Baileqiao in approximately 15 minutes.

Photo suggestion: Baileqiao village restaurant lane at the foot of the loop.