Hangzhou traffic authorities announced several measures, which started on Saturday, to ease traffic congestion around West Lake during the peak travel season in the spring.

The measures include converting the roads south and north of the lake into one-way traffic on weekends and implementing the odd-even license plate system to reduce cars around the lake before June 1.

The one-way traffic rule will be enforced on roads south and north of West Lake from 8:30am to 5pm on weekends. Odd-even traffic restrictions will be implemented on private cars entering the West Lake scenic area between 8:30am and 5pm, based on the last digit of their license plates. Call (0571) 8506-6910 or 8798-5571 (in Chinese) for more information.

The West Lake scenic area spans from Beishan Road in the north to Hupao Road and Fenghuangshan Road in the south, and from Yuhuangshan Road in the east to Meiling Road in the west. Motorists are advised to park their cars at the Huanglong Stadium, Zhejiang Provincial Hall of the People, and Zijingang Interchange Center. Parking will be free and buses will ferry them to the West Lake area.

Buses, coaches and taxies will not be affected by the new measures.