The West Lake

Shanghai

Natural Scenery

The West Lake is a freshwater lake in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province in eastern China. It is divided into five sections by three causeways.
There are numerous temples, pagodas, gardens, and artificial islands within the lake.
It has an area of 6.5 square kilometers and is surrounded by mountains on three sides. The distance from north to south is about 3.2 kilometers, and east to west, 2.8 kilometers. The circumference is around 15 kilometers. The average depth of West Lake is 2.27 meters, and the capacity is about 14,290,000 cubic meters.
West Lake is not only famous for its picturesque landscape, it is also associated with many scholars, national heroes and revolutionary martyrs, and it is therefore plays an important role in many aspects of Chinese culture. In addition there are many ancient buildings, stone caves and engraved tablets in surrounding areas, and among them are some of the most cherished national treasures of China.
Due to its prominent historical and cultural status among Chinese scenic resorts, West Lake was chosen as a National Key Scenic Resort in 1982, named one of Ten Scenic Resorts in 1985, and selected as a national 5A tourist resort in 2006. In addition, a picture of the lake, 'Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon,' was printed on the backs of both the foreign exchange certificate one yuan bill issued by the government in 1979 and the fifth version of RMB one yuan bill issued in 2004.
Ten Scenes of West Lake
There are ten traditional spots from which to look at the West Lake, each known by a four character phrase. Collectively, they are known as the 'Ten Scenes of West Lake'.
• Dawn on the Su Causeway in spring
• Curved Yard and Lotus Pool in summer.
• Moon over the Peaceful Lake in autumn
• Remnant Snow on the Bridge in winter
• Leifeng Pagoda in the Sunset
• Two Peaks Piercing the Clouds
• Orioles Singing in the Willows
• Fish Viewing at the Flower Pond
• Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon

Admission fee：
Leifeng Pagoda 15 Nanshan Road CNY40
Three Pools Mirroring the Moon the bigger islet in the southwest of the lake CNY20
Chenghuang Pavilion 3 Wushan Road CNY30
Lingyin 1 Fayun Nong, Lingyin Road CNY30 (Temple of Soul's Retreat)
CNY45 (Peak Flown From Afar)
• Evening Bell Ringing at the Nanping Hill

在历代文人墨客中，有关描写西湖的文章与诗句，实在是数不胜数，而对国内的众多游客来说，即使是初游西湖，也难免有些似曾相识之感。因为无论是上演过的戏剧或电影《白蛇传》的故事，几乎家喻户晓，成为中国文化中的一个意象。但用著名作家余秋雨的话讲，'西湖游览可以，贴近去却未免吃力，因为它成名过早，遗迹过密，名位过重，山水亭舍与历史的牵连又过多，结果成了一个象征性物象非常稠厚的所在。'站在西湖岸边，早已忘却自北方至苏州、上海一路的劳顿与奔波，极目碧绿的西湖水，在午后阳光的照射下波光闪闪，给妩媚的湖景增添了一番韵致。听已到过西湖的人讲，若在细雨霏霏中游西湖，景致将更加美丽迷人。

游览西湖，最使人畅舒心怀的当数苏堤（据传白居易也曾筑一条白堤），让人看到在美的领域真正卓越到从容的苏东坡。也是最能让中国文人扬眉吐气的胜景。这位大文豪、大诗人，不是为了追求风雅，甚至亦不是为了文化上的任何目的，纯粹是为了解除当地百姓的疾苦，与民造福，兴修水利，浚湖修堤，终于在西湖中留下一条长长的生命堤坝。难怪清人查容曾赋诗咏苏堤：'苏公当日曾筑此，不为游观为民耳'。恰恰是最知晓游观的艺术家，却不愿将自己的文化形象雕琢成游观物，于是，这样的堤坝便成了西湖特别显得圣洁而夺目的自然景物。