Hangzhou contains the most famous West Lake in the world. It is a man-made lake, created after the Chinese Love for garden-style parks for recreation. Nowadays it is in the top ten scenic areas in China and since 2011 it is listed as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Embraced by mountains on three sides, the West Lake knits itself into the North Inner Lake, the Yuehu Lake, the West Inner Lake, the South Lake and the West Outer Lake by the fabric of the Bai Causeway, the Su Causeway and the Yang Causeway. Between the North Inner Lake and the West Outer Lake lies the largest natural island called the Solitary Hill. In addition, three man-made islands stand in the West Outer Lake: the Lesser Paradise Island, the Mid-lake Pavilion, and the Ruangong Islet; and two famous pagodas by the lake: the Leifeng Pagoda to the south and the Baochu Pagoda to the north.
Love Legend
The West Lake is a popular dating place. This is in regards of a love story between Bai Suzhen and Xu Xi’an. Bai was a white snake spirit and Xu was a mortal man. They met each other on a boat on the lake, fell in love and got married soon. Of course someone was against this and the evil monk Fa Hai separated them by imprisoning Xu Xi’an. Bai tried to rescue her husband, but she failed and was imprisoned under the Leifeng Pagoda. Bai’s sister, Xiao Qing rescued in the end both of the people and from then on, they lived together happily.
Top scenes of West Lake
The lake has a lot to offer. It takes you a whole day to walk around the lake and see all the sights. So make sure you plan your visit well. But these are the ones we have visited.
Winery Yard and Lotus Pool (Summer)
This place is located in the northwest of the lake. It is said that there used to be a winery surrounded by lotus flowers In the Southern Song Dynasty (1127 – 1279). There are 5 places nowadays to see the lotus flowers. In Yuehu Lake, the Bamboo Garden, the Lakeside Woods, the Winery Yard and of course the Lotus Pool.
Broken Bridge
Broken Bridge got his name because of the scene it sets during winter. When Hangzhou is covered in snow. The southern part of the bridge will be the first one to melt. The north side is in the shade so while the snow on the south part is gone. It looks from Baoshi Mountain that the bridge is broken.
Leifeng Pagoda (Evening)
To see this scene don’t go to the pagoda itself. However, opposite the lake, in some of the parks. You are able to see the amazing reflection of this well lid pagoda in the water. The Leifung Pagoda was constructed by the king of the Wuyue Kingdom (907-960) to celebrate the pregnancy of his concubine during the Five Dynasties and Ten States Period.
Music Fountain
Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to visit this. However, the music fountain is in the Third Park on the East side of the lake. Every day at 19:00 and 20:00 the fountain will play its performance and the performance last for 15 minutes.
Hangzhou
Of course, Hangzhou has way more to offer than its West Lake. We also went to the Royal Street form the Song Dynasty for example. So, don’t forget to explore more of the city and don’t make the West Lake and its surroundings your only stop. But I have to admit, this park makes the city a very nice place to visit.
