In Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, in east China, Waterbus Line 7—famed for its “boat over green waves, plum reflecting ancient bridges” experience—has become a popular new way to enjoy the city’s plum season. Along the 4.1-kilometre stretch of the Donghe River, red plums and green water alternate; on misty, rainy days, the scene is soft and veiled, while clear weather turns the surface into dancing light.

The river, nicknamed the “Liuhe” for its willow-lined banks, is dotted with countless piers and is one of Hangzhou’s most bridge-rich waterways. The waterbus crosses 12 ancient bridges, offering a kind of time tunnel that reveals how generations have lived beside the water.

Riders watch the banks from the boat while people on the bridges watch in return; the short spring voyage bundles history and seasonal bloom into a compact, delightful surprise for anyone seeking a fresh view of the city.