The Lingyin Feilaifeng Scenic Area, one of West Lake's most popular attractions, will be free to visit starting Dec 1, 2025, following an announcement by the scenic area's official account.

The scenic area in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, receives over 10 million visitors annually. To manage crowds and protect cultural relics, a real-name reservation system will be implemented. Visitors must book their entry slots at least one day in advance via a mini-program on Alipay or WeChat.

Previously, visitors paid a total of 75 yuan for the 45-yuan Feilaifeng ticket and the 30-yuan Lingyin Temple incense coupon. The free admission policy follows Hangzhou's move two decades ago to make West Lake parks free, reflecting the city's commitment to "returning scenery to the people".

Lingyin Temple, one of China's top ten ancient monasteries, dates back to the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420) and remains an active center of Buddhist culture.

Wei Zhuting, deputy director of the Zhejiang Provincial Museum's Wuyue History and Culture Center, emphasized that the Feilaifeng grottoes represent the largest collection of rock carvings in southern China and a pinnacle of 10th–13th century Chinese grotto art. He noted that free access will help raise public awareness of their cultural significance.