The enduring charms of West Lake
Print Edition
WEST Lake is a famous fresh water lake in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province. West Lake National Park includes not only the lake itself, but also the surrounding mountain, pagodas, pavilions, artificial islands and three causeways, which divide the lake into five parts.
Renowned for its stunning scenery, West Lake boasts an ever-changing charm throughout the day and the four seasons.
Summer is the lotus season. As early as the Song Dynasty (960-1279), people wrote poems after being inspired by lotus blossoms. Today, there are 14 lotus cultivation areas in West Lake. When visiting these lotus ponds, don’t forget to try the lotus cake, a common food in Hangzhou when in season.
In winter, West Lake shows a completely different side. Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) described the view of snow on the bridge (断桥残雪) as one of the 10 best scenic spots on the lake.
West Lake is also quite charming at night. The scene “three ponds mirroring the moon” (三潭映月) describes the view composed by the light of three pagodas and the reflection of the moonlight on a mid-autumn night.
The scene is so famous that it was printed on the fifth version of the 1 yuan (16 US cents) banknote.
West Lake is also known for its profound influence on the city’s culture. UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee inscribed the lake and its surrounding scenic spots on it’s World Heritage list. The committee described West Lake as an “idealized fusion between humans and nature,” considering its tremendous cultural influence throughout history both domestically and internationally.
Among the sites, Yue Fei Temple and Lingyin Temple stand out the most, the first being the tomb and memorial hall of General Yue Fei (1103-42) while the latter is a secluded Buddhist monastery.
The history of West Lake dates back to the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC). According to Zhang Dai and his “West Lake Dream Searching,” Emperor Qinshihuang visited the area over 2,000 years ago and moored his boat on West Lake. Today, tourists can still visit the place where the Emperor disembarked — the Big Stone Temple.
Cycling around the lake and boat rides are the two most popular activities for people looking to enjoy its beauty. Bicycles can be rented easily at a cost of 1 to 3 yuan per hour at stations around the lake. Boat rides are aplenty. Visitors can opt to rent a boat and row it themselves or hire a local to do the work while you sit back and enjoy the scenery. Guides will share some interesting stories about the lake.
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