What are the odd-even license plate restrictions in Hangzhou West Lake Scenic Area?
3 Answers
The odd-even license plate restrictions in Hangzhou West Lake Scenic Area are as follows: On all weekends and national holidays from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, vehicles with small license plates must adhere to the odd-even rule. Vehicles whose last digit of the license plate does not match the odd or even day of the Gregorian calendar are prohibited from driving within the restricted area. Specifically, small vehicles with license plates ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9 are allowed on odd-numbered days, while those ending in 2, 4, 6, 8, or 0 are allowed on even-numbered days. The one-way traffic measures implemented on certain roads include: 1. Beishan Road allows small passenger vehicles to travel west to east and tourist buses east to west, with buses and taxis permitted to travel in both directions; 2. Lingyin Road enforces one-way traffic for motor vehicles west to east; 3. Lingyin Branch Road only permits small passenger vehicles to travel east to west and may implement traffic control based on parking conditions; 4. Dongpo Road may enforce one-way traffic north to south during traffic congestion, but buses are allowed to travel south to north; 5. Nanshan Road permits large buses to stop and drop off passengers on the north side in one direction.
In Hangzhou's West Lake scenic area, the odd-even license plate restriction policy is primarily enforced on weekends and holidays. On weekdays from Monday to Friday, there are generally no restrictions. However, on Saturdays, Sundays, or during statutory holidays such as National Day and Labor Day, the rules come into effect. The restricted hours are typically from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, covering core scenic areas like the surroundings of Su Causeway and Bai Causeway. The rule is straightforward: if the last digit of your license plate is odd (e.g., 1, 3, 5), you can only drive into the area on odd-numbered dates; if it's even (e.g., 0, 2, 4), you can only drive on even-numbered dates. This policy aims to alleviate traffic congestion and reduce vehicle emissions in the scenic area. As a local who often drives there, I once forgot the date and got fined 200 yuan—definitely not worth it. Now, I’ve made it a habit to check the restriction schedule in advance using the Hangzhou Traffic Police App, which also provides real-time updates. If you violate the rules, cameras will capture your plate and issue a fine. I recommend everyone cooperate—the air quality in the scenic area has indeed improved, but be mindful of the heavy traffic and crowds during peak hours.
As a tourist visiting Hangzhou, it's important to be aware of the odd-even license plate traffic restriction around West Lake. The rule is only enforced on weekends and holidays, such as during Spring Festival or short vacations, from 8 AM to 6 PM. Non-local license plates follow the same regulation: plates ending with odd numbers can only enter the scenic area on odd-numbered dates, while even-numbered plates on even-numbered dates. During my last trip on a Saturday, my even-numbered plate coincidentally fell on an odd-numbered date, forcing me to park far away and transfer via bus or shared bike, slightly disrupting my itinerary. But honestly, this policy is effective – traffic congestion has significantly reduced. Remember to check the calendar before driving to avoid the 200-yuan fine. The restricted zone mainly covers the roads encircling West Lake, with free access during non-restricted hours or weekdays. Overall, the experience was manageable; carrying a map helps, and the metro system conveniently fills any gaps.
