About West Lake
West Lake is the soul of Hangzhou — a 6.5-square-kilometer lake that has inspired Chinese poets, painters, and emperors for over a millennium. The lake's shores are lined with willow trees, lotus ponds, and classical pavilions, while three small islands dot the water. Surrounding hills and pagodas create a landscape that embodies the Chinese ideal of harmony between nature and human design.
The lake has been celebrated in Chinese literature since the Tang Dynasty. Poet Su Dongpo compared it to Xi Shi, one of ancient China's most beautiful women, writing that "West Lake is like Xi Shi — whether adorned simply or richly, it is always beautiful." The Ten Scenes of West Lake, each named for a particular atmospheric effect, have been painted and written about for centuries.
What Not to Miss
Leifeng Pagoda, offering panoramic views of the lake and city — especially beautiful at sunset.
The Broken Bridge, famous in Chinese legend as the meeting place of the White Snake and her lover.
Lotus flowers in summer (June-August), when the lake's surface is covered with pink and white blooms.
