A print of the tower at Trấn Quốc pagoda rising over palms and temple roofs on the far shore of West Lake, in jade, clay brown and dark green, its reflection broken into patches on the water below. — The tower at Trấn QuốcLake jade, River clay, Shutter green, key blockTrấn Quốc pagoda, West LakeLine drawn by FLUX.2 [klein] 4B, an image model, after a photograph by Jorge Láscar, Photograph by Jorge Láscar, CC BY 2.0. Cropped for this site.

A photograph of the tower at Trấn Quốc pagoda rising over palms and temple roofs on the far shore of West Lake, in jade, clay brown and dark green, its reflection broken into patches on the water below. — The tower at Trấn QuốcLake jade, River clay, Shutter green, key blockTrấn Quốc pagoda, West LakeLine drawn by FLUX.2 [klein] 4B, an image model, after a photograph by Jorge Láscar, Photograph by Jorge Láscar, CC BY 2.0. Cropped for this site.

In the city

West Lake by bicycle

Trấn Quốc pagoda, lotus ponds in summer, the flower villages before Tết, bánh tôm.

Length: 4 hours
Starts: 07:00
Group: Up to 8
From: USD 45 a guest

What happens

Trấn Quốc pagoda, lotus ponds in summer, the flower villages before Tết, bánh tôm. Hồ Tây is the largest lake in the city, about 500 hectares, and we ride only part of its shore, on upright bicycles, at the pace of the slowest rider.

07:00
We meet at the pagoda gate, fit the bicycles and ride out.
07:20
The causeway between West Lake and the smaller lake beside it, with water on both sides.
07:45
Trấn Quốc pagoda, on its islet. It is usually dated to the sixth century, which makes it the oldest in the city.
08:45
Lotus ponds in June and July. In the weeks before Tết, the peach blossom and kumquat gardens of the flower villages.
10:00
Bánh tôm: sweet potato and shrimp, fried, eaten with herbs and a sharp sauce.
11:00
Back to the pagoda gate, and the bicycles go back.

Included: A bicycle and a helmet; Bánh tôm and a drink; A guide for up to eight guests.

What you will see

Photographs, graded to look like one shoot. Select one to see it larger, with its credit.

Good to know

What to wear

A sun hat in summer and a light waterproof in spring. Closed shoes.

Walking

About 12 km by bicycle on flat roads and lanes, with many stops.

Children

From 10, on their own bicycle, if they ride confidently.

Access

You need to be able to ride. Ask about an electric bicycle.

Temples and dress

Cover shoulders and knees at the pagoda.

The weather, by season

Xuân February to April: lows 16 to 22°C, about 53 mm of rain a month.
Hạ May to August: lows 25 to 27°C, about 239 mm of rain a month.
Thu September to November: lows 20 to 25°C, about 148 mm of rain a month.
Đông December and January: lows 14 to 14°C, about 20 mm of rain a month.

Láng station normals, 1991 to 2020. The four seasons

Where we meet

The gate of Trấn Quốc pagoda, on Thanh Niên Road.

Bicycles are fitted in the first ten minutes.

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Trấn Quốc pagoda. We link to maps; we do not embed one.

Cancelling

Cancel up to 48 hours before the start for a full refund. Between 48 and 24 hours, half is refunded. Within 24 hours, nothing is, unless we cancel: then you are refunded in full, or moved to another day.

Sample terms. The cancellation policy

Questions

Is the traffic bad?

We ride on the lake path and quiet lanes. Where we cross a main road, we get off and walk.

I have not cycled for years.

The bicycles are upright, with a basket and a low frame. We ride at the pace of the slowest person.

When is the lotus out?

June and July. Peach blossom is sold in the weeks before Tết, which falls on 6 February 2027.

What guests say

Reserved for a guest

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Two more to hang beside it

A print of the lake path under old trees: pink branches leaning out over green water, a pink paved path and a few early walkers.

A photograph of the lake path under old trees: pink branches leaning out over green water, a pink paved path and a few early walkers.

Before the city wakes

Hoàn Kiếm at dawn, then phở for breakfast.

Length: 3 hours
Starts: 05:15
Group: Up to 8
From: USD 45

A print of the Constellation of Literature pavilion: a red timber upper storey with a round window and curled eaves on four white pillars, framed by dark green and ochre leaves.

A photograph of the Constellation of Literature pavilion: a red timber upper storey with a round window and curled eaves on four white pillars, framed by dark green and ochre leaves.

The first university

Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám, then the lacquer and silk rooms of the Fine Arts Museum.

Length: 4 hours
Starts: 08:30
Group: Up to 8
From: USD 55

All thirteen experiences