West Lake
The West Lake is like a supermarket of landscapes, in which you can have the favorite scene at your every fingertip, therefore when you are traveling around the West Lake, you will have a feeling of wandering in a picture. No matter what the weather is like or what time is it when you are here, you will be lost at the fascinating sceneries and reluctant to leave.
Inside the picturesque park that covers as area of 60 square kilometer, the blooming flowers in spring, the adorable water lily in summer, the charming moon in autumn and the pure snow in winter will make the top ten sceneries of West Lake more splendid.
Spring Dawn Round the Su Causeway
There are six ancient stone bridges of various styles over Su Causeway that stretches 3 kilometer long, which will be the most charming scene when spring falls owing to the decoration of the blooming peach blossoms and weeping willows. Come to make it clear why it could be the best part of the West Lake since the South Song Dynasty (1127-1279).
Breeze-ruffled Lotus
If you tour schedule falls in the summer, you will get the chance to experience how wonderful walking in the water lily is. Walking on the bridge that hides in the water lily pool, you will be intoxicated in the aroma of the Chinese wine flying from the winery nearby and the fragrance of the colorful lily of various species.
Orioles Singing in Ripples of Willows
Here is a wonderful and peaceful place with the green willow waving with the breeze and birds chirping around. In the spring, when the pleasant breezes feel the willows along the lake, you will see the scene like a band of girls washing their hairs by the lake. In summer, the garden will turn into an “evening garden”. The lanterns exhibition, the traditional folk performance and cinema attract a lot of visitors every night.
Leifeng Pagoda in Evening Glow
Leifeng Pagoda, on the Evening Glow Hill situated on the south shore of the West Lake, was erected in memory of the son his favorite concubine, Huang Fei, gave birth to. The pagoda with seven layers was a pavilion-type structure, built of brick and wood. When the sun is setting, the pagoda bathed in the evening glow looked radiantly beautiful.
Malting Snow at Broken Bridge
When the sun comes out after snowfall, the snow on the sunny side of the bridge melts first, while the snow on the other side still lingers. Seen from a distance, the bridge seems to be broken. It is a favorite stopover for you. Especially on fine winter days after a snow, you may stand on the bridge to feast your eyes on the snow scene far and near. Distant hills, clad in white, grow more enchanting.
Evening Bell Ringing at Nanping Hill
Nanping Hill, lying along the south bank of the West Lake, is less than 100 meters high, but extends as long as over 1000 meters. It features the odd-shaped rocks and the flourishing woods, which offers a peaceful resort with various sceneries. The harmonious park will be more harmonious when surrounded by the echo of the bell in the evening.
Viewing Fish in the Flowering Harbor
On the small island stretches out a gorgeous harbor, named Flowering Harbor, from where you can have a wonderful view of the endearing colorful fish swimming in the pure lake. In addition, the peony garden embraced by the flourishing trees is as charming as the other parts.
The Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake
As the Dawn round the Su Causeway in spring is charming, so is the moon in autumn over the Calm Lake. When the Chinese traditional mid-autumn day falls on, it will be a wonderful experience to admire the moon and the colorful lanterns of various designs while tasting the fragrant tea in the teahouse on the lake, or to have a close touch of the moon reflected on the peaceful lake on the boat.
Three Pools Mirroring the Moon
The three stone pagodas, first built over 800 years ago, 2 meters in height, are the main scenic spot calling ‘Three Pools Mirroring the Moon’. To the west of the isle stand three ball-shaped hollow stone pagodas with five round holes around. At the night of the Mid-Autumn festival, when the moon shines full and bright in the sky, a candle is lit inside each of the pagoda, the light and the moon cast their reflections through the holes on the water, hence the name.
Twin Peaks Piercing the Cloud
Twin peaks are the Northern Peak and Southern Peak. One locates southwest to the West Lake and the other locates northwest west. Northern Peak is with an elevation of 256.9 meters, Southern Peak is with an elevation of 355 meters. The two peaks face each other at a distance of more than 5 kilometers. On a drizzly day in spring or autumn, visitors may find a spectacular view of the two peaks while they look up from the Hongchun Bridge. It seems as if an enchanting landscape painting was hanging before them with the peaks disappearing and appearing amidst drifting clouds.
Here is a paradise of landscapes for you to pick up the wonderful memories.
Opening Hours: the whole day
Ticket Price: free
Location: Longjing Road, Hangzhou City
Transportation: Tour bus 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 will bring you here.
