West Lake in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, and Lake Geneva (Lac L man, in French) in Geneva, Switzerland, have - not unjustifiably - both been likened to pearls. The presence of a lake as magnificent as West Lake in the heart of a city contributes significantly to the special charm of that city, and West Lake's contribution to the beauty and charm of Hangzhou is no exception.
Hangzhou's West Lake Scenic Area, in the southwest of the city, covers 60 square kilometers (23 square miles), of which West Lake itself occupies 5.6 square kilometers (2.2 square miles).
It was originally the center of the city, but now the Qiantang River is becoming the central feature as the south bank is developed in similar fashion to Shanghai s Pudong District. West Lake is a place of tranquility where urbanity becomes a silhouette on the northeast horizon and mountains near and far surround it on the other three sides. The occasional pagoda and Chinese-style arched bridge add atmosphere to the tree-lined walkways, verdant islands and hills.
West Lake is surrounded by mountains on three sides. In the east, it is close to Hangzhou's urban areas. The average depth of the lake is around 1.5 meters, with a maximum depth of 2.8 meters. Except for the area in the immediate vicinity of the shores, as well as the naturally-occurring sand bars, or banks, as they are called, that subdivide the lake, West Lake has a minimum depth of not less than 1 meter. The Su Di (Su Bank) and the Bai Di (Bai Bank) divide the lake's surface into five sub-lakes: Li Lake, Wai Lake, Yue Lake, Xili Lake and Xiaonan Lake, each of which possesses its own beauty and charm. The most famous locales, or sites, on the lake, according to cultural sources dating from the Southern Song (CE 1127-1279) Dynasty, are referred to as the "Ten Scenic Sites of West Lake".
The Southern Song cultural-historical evaluations notwithstanding, a new set of "Ten Scenic Sites of West Lake" was chosen by the city of Hangzhou in 1985, perhaps because the original ten sites have lost their allure, while new alluring sites have emerged. These latter are (with names that reflect a characteristically Zen-like Chinese charm):
1) Cloud-Sustained Path in a Bamboo Grove
2) Misty Trees by Nine Streams
3) Dreams at Galloping Tiger Spring
4) Yellow Dragon Cave Dressed in Green
5) Sweet Osmanthus Rain at Manjuelong Village
6) Clouds Scurrying over Jade Emperor Hill
7) Inquiring about Tea at Dragon Well
8) Precious Stone Hill Floating in Rosy Clouds
9) Heavenly Wind over Wushan Hill
10) Ruan's Mound Encircled by Greenness
A number of specific features can be singled out as worthy of particular note. To the south of centre of the Outer Lake is a man made island known as the Island of Little Oceans, that encloses four small lakes. From here one can view the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon when at night candles are lit in stone lanterns jutting out of the water thus creating the impression of the reflections of three moons. The scene is truly magical on the night of the Autumn Moon Festival. Solitary Hill Island lies between the Outer Lake and the north Inner Lake and is an ideal spot from which to admire the vista. The nearby Two Peaks Embracing the Sky is another impressive sight, especially when crossing the lake by boat.
We hope that this introduction to the delights of the area surrounding the West Lake will tempt you to visit them for yourself. You can be assured that the splendid and diverse landscape will remain long in your memory as you call to mind tour sites to be found south of the Yangtze River.
Opening Time:
West Lake is open to the public on a 24/7 basis; pleasure boats operate daily, from 9:00AM to 9:00PM.
How to get there:
West Lake is accessible by most of the buses within Hangzhou's urban area.
Admission Fee: Free