Jiuxi Trail

Jiuxi Trail, known in Chinese as Jiuxi Shibajian (Nine Creeks and Eighteen Gullies), is a walking path winding through the forested hills southwest of West Lake. The trail follows a network of clear mountain streams from the terraced tea fields of Longjing Village down toward the banks of the Qiantang River. The numbers in its traditional name are poetic rather than literal, referring to the many branching rivulets and winding gullies that come together across the valley floor.

The route stretches roughly four to five kilometers along stone-paved walkways and shaded dirt tracks bordered by bamboo, camphor trees, and maples. A signature feature of the walk is crossing the stream numerous times over flat stepping stones set into the shallow water. About halfway down the trail lies Jiuxi Yanshu, or Nine Creeks in Misty Trees, an open spot where the waters collect into a small pool framed by pavilions and quiet tea stands.

The walk is largely flat or gently sloping, taking between one and two hours at an easy pace. Many visitors begin at Longjing Village and walk downhill toward the southern trailhead near Zhijiang Road, finishing near local bus connections. Footwear with good grip is advisable, as the stepping stones and damp flagstones can become slick after rain.

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