Hangzhou West Lake
By admin on 2015-01-16

Located in Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, the West Lake is also known as Qiantanghu Lake in ancient times and as “Xizi Lake” and “Wulin Water” currently. It was formed under the effect of silt deposition in the Qiantang River. The West Lake covers an area of 5.64 square kilometers and has a perimeter as long as approx. 15 kilometers. The lake surface is divided by Gushan Mountain and two artificial causeways (Su Causeway and Bai Causeway) into five sub-lake regions: Inner Lake, Outer Lake, Yuehu Lake, Xili Lake and Xiaonanhu Lake, all being connected by bridges.

The West Lake is surrounded by beautiful Longjing Mountain, Linshi Mountain, Nanping Mountain, Phoenix Mountain, and Lingyin Mountain, etc. They are divided into northern mountains and southern ones. The mountains jointly encircle the pearl-like West Lake, presenting an appealing scene of “A myriad of stars surround the moon”. The West Lake possesses rich cultural relics and historic sites and is endowed with touching myths and legends. In the 60 km2 scenic spot cored with the West Lake scatter over 40 attractive spots and more than 30 key cultural relics and historic sites such as Lingyin Temple and Yuewang (Yue Fei) Grave Temple. Integrated with nature, humanity, history and arts, the West Lake is a famous historical culture-oriented tourist attraction in China. It has been making tourists linger on without any thought of leaving since ancient times.

With “Ten Views of the West Lake” as the representatives, scenic primes of the West Lake were selected early in the Southern Song Dynasty. They are: Spring Dawn at Su Causeway, Lotus in the Breeze at Crooked Courtyard, Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake, Melting Snow on the Broken Bridge, Orioles Singing in the Willows, Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor, Sunset Glow over Leifeng Pagoda, Twin Peaks Piercing Clouds, Evening Bell at Nanping Hill, and Three Pools Mirroring the Moon. “Spring Dawn at Su Causeway” is the most beautiful view among the ten. The over 2000m-long Su Causeway was named in commemoration of Su Dongpo in the Song Dynasty for his achievement in regulating the West Lake. On the causeway grow peach and willow trees, with their shadows casting on the rippling lake surface and presenting attractive scenery in March. “Lotus in the Breeze at Crooked Courtyard” is featuring lotus viewing in summer. “Crooked Courtyard” was a wine workshop run by the imperial court of the Southern Song Dynasty. On the lakeshore close to the workshop grow lotuses, the fragrance of which will ravishingly flutter in breeze with the scent of alcohol in summer. In autumn, the beautiful scene of “Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake” becomes a highlight in the West Lake. “Melting Snow on the Broken Bridge” presents a marvelous scene of snow-paved lake. Situated in the eastern end of Bai Causeway, the Broken Bridge is the location of the romantic legend of “Madam White Snake and Xu Xian”. It is the most famous bridge among all bridges of various sizes in the West Lake. The “Ten New Views of the West Lake” selected by Hangzhou citizens and tourists in 1985 are also endowed with their own distinctive features and enchantments.

The West Lake scenic spot is provided with a full range of featured delicacies such as West Lake fish in Vinegar Sauce and Dongpo Pork as well as West Lake Dragon Well Tea featuring excellent color, scent, taste and shape. Also, it produces numerous special local products including silk, lotus powder, Zhang Xiaoquan scissors, silk umbrella, fan and small walnut. Therefore, it is regarded as a paradise for enjoying leisure time and sightseeing.