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The mountain peak is north of the ancient pavilion and west of the lake, its surface reaching the horizon.
In what land do sparrows compete for the egg tree, and in what house do swallows build their nests full?
The myriad flowers seem to mesmerize the eye, the grass still not fully sprouted like horseshoes.
I love the lake so much I can't bear to leave, and the White Sand dike hides behind the trees.
(Bai Juyi)
West Lake, also known as Qiantang Lake, is located at No. 1 Longjing Road, West Lake District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China, west of Hangzhou. It has a catchment area of 21.22 km² and a surface area of 6.38 km², making it one of the three famous lakes south of the Yangtze River.
In 1985, Hangzhou West Lake Scenic Area was selected as one of the "Top Ten Scenic Areas in the Country". On June 24, 2011, at the 35th World Heritage Conference held in Paris, France, Hangzhou West Lake Cultural Landscape was inscribed on the World Heritage List.
Paradise on Earth
Upon entering West Lake, visitors feel as if they are traveling through a dreamlike world. The lake's surface ripples with blue waves, and the breeze carries a breath of fresh air. The willow trees along the lake sway gently, their branches dancing with the water's surface, creating a peaceful and harmonious scene. Lotus flowers bloom in various poses beneath the water, resembling colorful works of art that captivate the viewer.
This place boasts picturesque natural landscapes, interwoven with ancient and modern architectural and cultural structures.
The beauty of West Lake in Hangzhou is likened to "paradise on earth" in all four seasons. Each season brings its own unique beauty, each adorned with vibrant colors that leave visitors with unforgettable impressions. Therefore, the poet Su Dongpo once said: "Hangzhou has West Lake, just as a person has a face... Hangzhou without West Lake is like a person losing their face." Thus, visiting Hangzhou without seeing West Lake is like not having met the "beauty."
Summer in this paradise on earth.
Strolling along the lake's edge, lotus flowers bloom profusely on the water's surface, emitting a fragrant aroma. West Lake is also home to over 40 varieties of high-quality lotus, with large, vibrant blossoms such as the lotus with intertwined stems, the "Pham" lotus, the "Trung Dai" lotus, and the "Thien Phung" lotus... The willow trees along the shore bend gracefully like beautiful girls, displaying their long hair. Birds fly overhead, chirping merrily as if telling stories.
The beauty is like a paradise in summer.
What impresses visitors most in the summer at West Lake is undoubtedly the sunset over the lake. As the sun gradually sets behind the mountains, the sky is painted with vibrant colors. The lake's surface reflects the shimmering light, like a giant mirror.
Along the embankment stretched two rows of lush green willows, alongside flowerbeds filled with hibiscus, cherry blossoms, magnolias, crape myrtle, osmanthus, and kumquat trees. In this setting, one might imagine witnessing the awakening of the legendary beauty Xi Shi.
The Ten Great Scenic Spots of West Lake
Currently, West Lake is still famous for its "ten most beautiful scenic spots," which were written in calligraphy by Emperor Qianlong himself. The Ten Scenic Spots of West Lake (西湖十景) refer to ten distinctive scenic spots in Hangzhou. This name has been passed down since the Southern Song Dynasty (1127–1279), and most of these ten beautiful spots are located above the lake. Later, these ten captivating scenic spots were marked by ten stone tablets with romantic names given by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty in a unique calligraphic style.
Spring morning on the dike - a spring morning on the dike
This is a beautiful flower garden located on the west shore of the lake. The garden boasts a variety of flowers, including cherry blossoms, plum blossoms, orchids, and lilies, all blooming profusely in spring. The Su Canal, spanning the lake and connecting the north and south shores, cuts across the entire West Lake area, offering a relatively unobstructed view and a better vantage point for admiring the entire lake landscape. Built during the Northern Song Dynasty, the Su Canal retains its characteristic vegetation of peach and weeping willow trees planted interspersed along both sides of the embankment. Spring sunrise is the most beautiful time to admire the scenery of Hangzhou's West Lake.
The warm, abundant sunlight, combined with the scenery of West Lake, creates a magical picture.
Willow blossoms and orioles sing - orioles sing in the willow grove
Willow Trees and Orioles is one of the Ten Scenic Spots of West Lake in Hangzhou. It's a place with many lush green willow trees providing shade along the lake's edge. In spring, the willow branches sway in the breeze, and birds fly and chirp among the branches. The birdsong echoes through the sky, creating a poetic and romantic scene.
The willow trees swayed gently in the breeze.
Flower Port Fish Viewing - Watching Fish in the Flower Pond
Located in the southwest corner of West Lake, bordered by the To Dam to the east, and Lake Xiaonan and Lake Xili to the north and south, the Flower Harbor is a large park with historical relics such as the Imperial Stele, fish ponds, and rock gardens.
At the foot of Mount Huajia lies a small stream that flows into West Lake. Because the stream is lined with many flowers and trees, the fallen blossoms often fall into the stream, hence its name, "Flower Scenery." During the Southern Song Dynasty, the court official Lu Yunsheng built a private garden not far from Mount Huajia, filled with flowers and plants, with water flowing into a pond where he raised colorful fish for enjoyment.
The gentle breeze carries the scent of lotus blossoms across the curved courtyard.
The Fenghe Pavilion, built during the Southern Song Dynasty, boasts a history of over 800 years. It features lush greenery, flowers, ponds, and stone steps, creating a serene and idyllic atmosphere. The pavilion is home to many varieties of lotus flowers, from common to rare. Every summer, the lotus blossoms here, creating a breathtaking scene reminiscent of a celestial paradise, filling the air with a fragrant aroma that soothes the soul.
Nam Binh Evening Bell - Evening Bell at Nam Binh Mountain
"Nanping Evening Bell" means the evening bell of Nanping Mountain. West Lake has a mountain called Nanping Mountain. From the summit, visitors can admire the panoramic view of Hangzhou's West Lake and feel the peaceful and poetic atmosphere of the place. Each season, the Nanping Evening Bell offers a unique beauty, from the vibrant colors of spring, the cool green of summer, the golden hues of autumn, to the pristine white of winter.
Autumn moon over the tranquil lake
The autumn moon over Pinghu Lake is one of the ten scenic spots of Hangzhou's West Lake. The Pinghu Autumn Moon viewpoint is located at the western end of the White Embankment, backed by Gushan Mountain and overlooking the lake. The lake's surface is calm and mirror-like, illuminated by the bright autumn moon; the moonlight and the lake's surface complement each other.
Leifeng Pagoda in the evening light
Leifeng Mountain is a 300-meter-high mountain shaped like a giant fan. On a sunny day, the sunlight casts a beautiful array of colorful shadows on the mountain. The Leifeng Pagoda, built in the 10th century to worship the Goddess of Mercy, Guanyin, is 60 meters tall, with seven stories and eight sides. It is decorated with Buddha statues, bronze bells, and lanterns. The site is renowned for its majestic and sacred beauty.
Three ponds reflecting the moonlight
The Three Ponds Reflecting the Moon is considered the first of the ten scenic spots of West Lake. The lake's surface is crystal clear and calm, like a mirror reflecting the surrounding scenery. The Three Ponds Reflecting the Moon consists of two parts: Xiaoyingzhou Island, one of the three islands of West Lake, and three equilateral triangular towers located to the southwest.
Snow remains on the broken bridge
The Broken Bridge, covered in snow, is located at the eastern end of the White Embankment. The broken bridge was rebuilt with a length of 8.8 meters, a width of 8.6 meters, and a single span of 6.1 meters. Beside the bridge are a riverside pavilion and a pavilion stele, with snow still clinging to the broken bridge. There are varying interpretations of the meaning of the landscape with the snow remaining on the broken bridge; the snow on the sunny side melts, but the snow on the shaded side remains, looking like silver. From above, the bridge appears broken, yet it is not.
A striking sight in Hangzhou's West Lake during winter is the pristine white snow. Walking across the bridge, visitors can experience a sense of tranquility and peace.
Song phong sap van – two mountains piercing the clouds
Here, two mountains stand majestically, their southern and northern peaks overlooking West Lake, with clouds drifting over the mountaintops, creating a picturesque scene. A Buddhist temple is built on the mountaintop, and from afar, the two mountains appear to pierce the white clouds.
"West Lake in Hangzhou, China, is as beautiful as the thousand-year-old Xi Shi, a goddess whose beauty remains unchanged."This is indeed a very accurate description of this destination. Upon arriving at West Lake, you will surely feel as if you have wandered into a vibrant, poetic ink painting."
