Instead of traveling to a far-away coast, why not visit the manmade beaches right in downtown Hangzhou for some tanning, bathing, and surfing?

Jinsha Lake Beach. [Photo/Hangzhoufeel]

Jinsha Lake Beach

Location: Jinsha Lake Park, Jinsha Avenue, Qiantang district

Admission fee: Free

Hours: 24/7

There is a free beach at Jinsha Lake Park in the central business area of Xiasha sub-district. If you live nearby, it's a great place for an evening stroll or taking your children to play in the sand during the week.

Jinsha Xishui Xianghu Lake Beach. [Photo/Hangzhoufeel]

Jinsha Xishui Xianghu Lake Beach

Location: No 508 Meishan Road, Xianghu Lake Tourist Resort, Xiaoshan district

Admission fee: 20 yuan ($3) per adult, 10 yuan per child

Hours: 9:00-17:30

As the largest beach-themed outdoor park in Hangzhou, Jinsha Xishui Xianghu Lake Beach is composed of an open-air swimming pool, a sports beach and a water park with a total area of 34,000 square meters.

The swimming pool can accommodate more than 2,000 people at once and includes a children's area, shallow and deep-water areas, and recreational facilities such as trampolines, slides, swings, beach buggies and a climbing wall.

Baoshou Mountain Beach. [Photo/Hangzhoufeel]

Baoshou Mountain Beach

Location: West of Baima Villa, Baoshou Mountain Scenic Area, Yuhang district

Admission fee: 29 yuan per person

Hours: 8:30-17:30

The beach at Baoshou Mountain Scenic Area has been topping the local picnic and camping destination list for its artificial beach, sand sliding, barbecue, and recreational facilities.