West Lake (Xihu) in Hangzhou is not just a body of water. It is a cultural landscape that has been considered a benchmark of natural beauty for over a millennium, artificially refined by humans to achieve aesthetic and spiritual perfection. Its fame is so great that the phrase "In heaven there is paradise, on earth there are Suzhou and Hangzhou" is known to every Chinese person. Xihu has become the embodiment of this earthly paradise.
Why did the lake become so famous?
Poetic and artistic glorification: Starting from the Tang Dynasty (7th–10th centuries), the lake became a muse for countless poets, artists, and thinkers. Their works, praising the melancholic beauty of the lake in fog, rain, or moonlight, established its unquestionable cultural status.
Philosophical concept of a "picturesque place": Chinese gardeners and urban planners elevated landscape design to a high art form. Xihu is the best example of the harmonious fusion of nature and human creation. Every hill, pagoda, bridge, and pavilion are placed with the intention of creating a perfectly balanced and picturesque composition.
World Heritage Site: In 2011, the cultural landscape of West Lake was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as "an exceptional testimony to the tradition of improving landscapes to create a series of visual images reflecting an idealized fusion of humans and nature."
Geography and structure
The lake has an area of approximately 6.5 square kilometers and is surrounded on three sides by gentle hills, and on the fourth by the city of Hangzhou itself. Its basin is divided into five parts by artificial causeways built in different eras for water regulation and creating unique routes:
• Baiti (Su Causeway): Built by the poet-governor Su Dongpo.
• Santi (Bai Causeway): Built by the poet Bai Juyi.
• Yanggongdi (Yang Gong Causeway): The newest of the causeways.
• Gushan Causeway: Separates the "inner lake pond."
• Siyanqiao Causeway: Separates the "lake at the foot of the hill."
These causeways create a multi-level perspective and make a walk around the lake a continuous journey through different landscapes.
Attractions along the shores and islands
The lake is roughly divided into Northern, Southern, Western, and Eastern shores, each with its own character.
Northern Shore (Beishan):
• Gushan Hill (Lonely Hill): The largest island on the lake, connected to the land by a causeway.
• Lingfeng Seal: A viewing platform with the best view of the lake.
• Zhejiang Provincial Museum: One of the largest and richest museums in China.
• Palace of Solitude and Light: A resting place for Emperor Qianlong.
• Baochu Pagoda (Pagoda of Repaying Grace): A white pagoda on a hilltop opposite Leifeng Pagoda. It was built for the safe return of the king of Wuyue from a campaign.
Southern Shore (Nanshan):
• Leifeng Pagoda (Pagoda of the Thundering Peak): A copper pagoda rebuilt in 2002 on the site of an ancient one destroyed in 1924. Associated with the Legend of the White Snake. Inside, ruins of the original 10th-century pagoda are preserved.
• Jingci Monastery (Monastery of Pure Compassion): One of the two main monasteries of Hangzhou. Famous for its view of Leifeng Pagoda across the lake and its morning bell.
Western Shore (Xishan):
• Lingyin Monastery (Monastery of the Soul`s Retreat): The greatest and most famous monastery in the region, a center of Chan Buddhism. Renowned for its huge halls and hundreds of ancient sculptures on Feilaifeng Mountain.
• Hunpingang (Valley That Extends into the Distance): An idyllic spot with streams, bamboo groves, and tea houses.
Eastern Shore (Dongshan):
• Hubin Avenue: A modern embankment with fountains, cafes, and views of the lake. It hosts a famous musical fountain show.
"Three Moons Reflecting in the Water" – Symbol on the 1 Yuan Note
In the center of the lake, near Xiaoyingzhou Island, is the most recognizable symbol of Xihu – the Three Stone Pagodas (Santan Yinyue).
What is it? Three small stone pagodas about 2 meters high, mounted on round pedestal bases that stand in the water. They were created in 1621 as imitations of older pagodas built here in the 12th century.
Concept: The pagodas have cavities inside, and five round holes are carved into their walls. On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, candles are lit inside them, the holes are covered with thin paper, and lit candles in lotus flowers are set afloat on the water. This creates the illusion of dozens of small moons dancing on the water, reflecting the real moon in the sky. This scene is called "Three Moons Reflecting in the Water."
Image on the banknote: It is precisely this view – the three pagodas against the silhouette of the island and the lake – that is depicted on the reverse side of the 1-yuan banknote.
What can tourists do on the lake?
Xihu is a vast natural and cultural park offering dozens of activities:
• Boat rides: From traditional rowboats operated by locals to large pleasure boats. This is the best way to reach the islands and see the pagodas from the water.
• Bicycle rides: An excellent bike path runs around the entire perimeter of the lake. Bicycle rental is very affordable.
• Walking along the causeways: A walk along the Baiti and Santi causeways is a must. They offer constantly changing perspectives and views.
• Longjing tea tasting: The hills surrounding the lake are home to famous tea plantations. You can visit a tea house to try freshly picked "Dragon Well" tea – one of China`s most famous teas.
• Visiting temples and pagodas: Immerse yourself in spiritual history at Lingyin Si and Jingci Si, climb Leifeng Pagoda for a panoramic view.
• Admiring the "Ten Views of West Lake": Try to witness classic scenes like "Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake" or "Listening to Orioles Singing in the Willows."
West Lake is a place to walk slowly, contemplate, and absorb the atmosphere. It is not just an attraction, but a state of mind, the embodiment of the Chinese ideal that supreme beauty is born from the harmony between nature and human genius.
