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West Lake
New Ten Views of the West Lake (Approved in 1985)
West Lake, located in Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province, is one of the best-known and most beautiful lakes in China. An old Chinese saying declares, "There is heaven above, Suzhou and Hangzhou below." Centuries later, Marco Polo called 
Hangzhou the most enchanting city in the entire world. This is most evident in the West Lake area, the effective, if not geographic, center of Hangzhou. Hills embrace the lake on three sides; the city proper lies to the east. Ancient Chinese people praised the West Lake area as a land of intoxicating beauty. Su Shi, a poet from the Song Dynasty, likened the lake to Xizi, a Chinese Cleopatra, for its allure. The West Lake looks like a shining pearl inlaid on the vast land of China, reputed for beautiful scenery, a multitude of historical sites, brilliant cultural relics, and a profusion of native products. Legend has it that the West Lake was a heavenly jewel fallen to earth. Pragmatists insist that it is a mere lagoon on Hangzhou's western fringe. In any case, West Lake has inspired painters for centuries.
Hangzhou the most enchanting city in the entire world. This is most evident in the West Lake area, the effective, if not geographic, center of Hangzhou. Hills embrace the lake on three sides; the city proper lies to the east. Ancient Chinese people praised the West Lake area as a land of intoxicating beauty. Su Shi, a poet from the Song Dynasty, likened the lake to Xizi, a Chinese Cleopatra, for its allure. The West Lake looks like a shining pearl inlaid on the vast land of China, reputed for beautiful scenery, a multitude of historical sites, brilliant cultural relics, and a profusion of native products. Legend has it that the West Lake was a heavenly jewel fallen to earth. Pragmatists insist that it is a mere lagoon on Hangzhou's western fringe. In any case, West Lake has inspired painters for centuries.Originally a shallow sea inlet, due to the laying down of silt these six square kilometers (1483 acres) of water became the famous West Lake. With an average depth of just five feet the lake comprises five distinct sections. The largest part is known as the Outer Lake and it is bounded by the North Inner Lake, Yuehu Lake, West Inner Lake and Lesser South Lake. Held in the embrace of hilly peaks on three sides, this water wonderland has been an attraction for centuries and it is small wonder that it was a favorite imperial retreat. The lake and its environs have all the elements of a traditional Chinese garden but on a grand scale. The natural setting of strangely shaped peaks, serene forests and springs, dense foliage and a myriad of blossoms especially in springtime are enhanced by a treasury of sculpture and architectural features. Whatever the season, the panorama is pleasing to the eye and the nuances of light shade together with the moods of the weather present an ever-changing picture that justifiably has been described as 'intoxicating'.
A number of specific features can be singled out as worthy of particular note. To the south of centre of the Outer Lake is a man made island known as the Island of Little Oceans, that encloses four small lakes. From here one can view the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon when at night candles are lit in stone lanterns jutting out of the water thus creating the impression of the reflections of three moons. The scene is truly magical on the night of the Autumn Moon Festival. Solitary Hill Island lies between the Outer Lake and the north Inner Lake and is an ideal spot from which to admire the vista. The nearby Two Peaks Embracing the Sky is another impressive sight, especially when crossing the lake by boat.
Near to the lake can be found the Ling Yin Temple in its woodland setting near to Fei Lai Feng (Peak Flown From Afar). Legend has it that this limestone peak flew from India where it had formed part of a holy mountain. These are of particular interest to Buddhists and those who have a love of 
sculpture and art. The Mausoleum of General Yue Fei is a monument to the patriot who was murdered in 1141 at the behest of his archrival Qin Hui, the Song prime minister. These buildings like others in the vicinity of the lake such as the slender Six Harmonies Pagoda add to the calm and beauty of their surroundings.
sculpture and art. The Mausoleum of General Yue Fei is a monument to the patriot who was murdered in 1141 at the behest of his archrival Qin Hui, the Song prime minister. These buildings like others in the vicinity of the lake such as the slender Six Harmonies Pagoda add to the calm and beauty of their surroundings.No visitor to the West Lake and Hangzhou can fail to learn something of this city's most famous products, namely silk and Longjing (Dragon Well) Tea. Since the Tang Dynasty (618-907) silk products from Hangzhou have found their way all over the world. The National Silk Museum is the first Chinese national museum to be dedicated to silk culture and is the largest of its kind in the world. A similar museum is dedicated as homage to tea. Located at the West Lake Dragon Well Tea Plantation, the National Tea Museum provides a fascinating insight into the history and production of Chinese tea. Often referred to as the 'wonders of West Lake' Longjing (Dragon Well) tea and Hupao (Running Tiger) Fountain is each worthy of the attention of the visitor.
New Ten Views of the West Lake
Dragon Well Tea is well known worldwide, the water of dragon well is sweet and nice. The green tea of here enjoys very high reputation since Ming Dynasty. Dragon Well is formally called the Dragon pool. In ancient time, local people believed that this well connected with the sea and a dragon lived inside. Dragon Well is one of the five famous West Lake springs. Dragon Well spring water gushes out from a rockfact to collect in the well and flow on through cracks in the rocks. To have a seat and enjoy a cup of Dragon Well tea beside the Dragon Well, what a wonderful experience it is.
Dragon Well is a circular pond 2 meters in diameter, the spring water drains down to a brook along the Yingma bridge, Huangni Hill and finally winds it way into West Lake through Mao Jia Bu. What is more interesting to see is a “dividing line” on the surface of the well water when it is stirred, a line that, like a hair spring and disappears slowly.
Dragon Well tea is well – known for its four special features: green color, fragrant aroma, sweet taste and smooth even 
appearance. West Lake green tea has four varieties named Lion, Dragon, Cloud and Tiger. Among them, Lion and Dragon Well Tea is the best.
appearance. West Lake green tea has four varieties named Lion, Dragon, Cloud and Tiger. Among them, Lion and Dragon Well Tea is the best. During his visit to Fair South, the Qing emperor Qianlong designated “Eight Scenes of Dragon Well” with his inscription for each scene. The best well known one is Pavilion of Going beyond the Brook, which is constructed on Tiger Brook Bridge.
Specialty: Dragon Well Tea, which is well-known for its four special features, green color, fragrant aroma, sweet taste and smooth even appearance.
Jade Emperor Hill stands between the West Lake and Qiantang River with an elevation of 239 meters. In Tang Dynasty, it was called as “Jade Pillar Hill” and changed to “Yuewang Hill” in Five Dynasties. The present name was given in Ming Dynasty when a Taoist temple called Lucky Star was built on the hill and a shrine of Jade Emperor put in it. It was known as one of the three Taoist temples at West Lake in the late Qing Dynasty. Standing on the top of the hill, you can enjoy a very nice view of the hill-bordering West Lake and the sail – studded Qiantang River. Currently, a pavilion called “Ascend-the-Cloud” was built on the top. Climbing up the pavilion, you will see the clouds scurrying past your feet. Therefore this scene is called as “Clouds Scurrying over Yuhuang Hill”.
The top of the hill can be reached by a more-than-4-kilometers long road which winds its way 2.5 times around the hill, or by a 2600-steps footpath. The major attractions on the hill include Purple Source Cave, Eight Trigrams Field and Seven-Star Pavilion. Purple Source Cave, one of the “seven ancient caves of West Lake”, locates on the half-way up the hill and has another deed cave containing three different size ones. In front of the cave, there is a nice garden with rockery. 
Looking down from the garden, you can see the Eight Trigrams Field. This field situates at the southern foot of Jade Emperor Hill and it is said to have been tended by a emperor himself during the Southern Song Dynasty. Above the Purple Source Cave, there is Seven – Star Pavilion. Originally, seven iron vats which were arranged in the form of the Big Dipper stood beside the pavilion. It was believed this kind of arrangement can control the Fire Dragon or fires in Hangzhou.
Looking down from the garden, you can see the Eight Trigrams Field. This field situates at the southern foot of Jade Emperor Hill and it is said to have been tended by a emperor himself during the Southern Song Dynasty. Above the Purple Source Cave, there is Seven – Star Pavilion. Originally, seven iron vats which were arranged in the form of the Big Dipper stood beside the pavilion. It was believed this kind of arrangement can control the Fire Dragon or fires in Hangzhou. Wu Hill situates at the end of hills around the lake, is made up of 10 or more peaks. It stretches for several miles and extends into the downtown. Besides, it is locally called Chenghuang Hill. It is also a place where you can enjoy different scenes in different seasons for it is covered with a rich variety of trees and flowers. There are a lot of odd-shaped rocks and inscriptions on the hill. A strange cluster of rocks which is known as the “Twelve Animal Stones” appears like the twelve animals in the Chinese lunar calendar symbolizing the different years in which people are born: rat, ox, tiger, hare, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and hog, and it is also called as the “Twelve Peaks of Witch Hill”. On the hill, there are many camphor trees . One of them, the oldest one, “Song Camphor”, stands in front of a hilltop teahouse which is called “Tea Aroma Tower”, is more than 800 years old.
On the top of Wu Hill, there is a pavilion where you can have a view of both Qiantang River and West Lake as the hill locates between Qiantang River and West Lake. Walking out of the pavilion, you can see an inscription lauding a huge rock as “No. One Peak of Wu Hill” by Zhu Xi, an famous educationist of the Southern Song Dynasty. Recently, Panoramic View Pavilion and Tea Aroma Tower were built on the Wu Hill. Furthermore ginkgo, Chinese sweet gum, pine tree and evergreen camphor were planted all over the hill to accompany the “Song Camphor”. All these create a more attractive appearance of Wu Hill because the new scene blends perfectly with the old.
Situated at the foot of Daci Hill southwest to the West Lake, Tiger Spring ranks the third best in China. “Dragon Well Tea” and “Tiger Spring water” are rated as two uniqueness of the West Lake. According to the experts, the mineralization of the spring water is as low as 0.02 – 0.15 gram in every liter because the water is seeping through quartzite contains little dissolved matters. Therefore, its water is pure and clear. Tests show that the water is contributive to people’s health.
This attraction is featuring the springs. Along the foot of the hill, there is a streamlet meandering. It is a pleasant experience to listen the spring there. Walking along the path, you will see a tiger status at the foot of the Luxuriant Green Cliff. From the left side of the cliff is the source of the spring. This place gives you a very happiness to watch the spring. Then, you can have a seat in a tea house near the cliff to enjoy a cup of Dragon Well green tea brewed in Tiger Spring water. You will find the spring water can bring out the best in each. It is called “spring taste”.The major attractions of this area include: the Tiger Spring Temple, the Tiger Spring, the Luxuriant Green Cliff, the Five Dynasties Sutra Pillars, Tiger Status, “Hongyi ” Monk Tomb, the Hall of Jigong Monk, the Bell Towner and the Arhat Hall etc.
A legend goes that there used to be a monk who disguised himself as a carefree monk named “Daoji”. This monk is known as a Robin Hood in China who left a lot of popular stories. Now there is a Monk Ji Gong Memorial which is specially built to commemorate him. With the continuous renovation, the Tiger Spring Temple now is a very nice garden featuring the odd rocks and the sweet osthusman trees.
As one of “New Top Ten”, this attraction is situated west of West Lake. It is locally called as Nine Greeks and Eighteen Gullies. Actually, all the creeks in this area have two originations, one at west is in Shizi Hill, and the other at east is in Yangmei Hill. Flowing to the south, they meander their way through Xu Village and then empty into the Qiantang River. In 1986, this area was developed and was chosen as one of the “New Ten Views of West Lake”. This attraction features waters and wooded hills. With serene rustic charms, it remains as natural as ever. It will be a good choice to make a walking tour of this attraction along the path in the valley. Four oft-quoted lines poem go like this: “Te hills – rang after range, the trails – winding and climbing, the creeks – murmuring and gurgling, the trees – high and lowly.”
This attraction locates on a small green islet in the West Lake. According to the historical records, the islet was built from lake – bottom silt in 1880 under Zhejiang Provincial Governor Ruanyuan during the Qing Dynasty. Therefore, the islet was named as “Ruandun Islet” to commemorate him. It is one of the three famous islands in the West Lake. It stood for more than a hundred years as a wildlife refuge since the soil was too soft to support the buildings. In 1982, in order to create a new tourist attraction, this islet was topped with over 1000 tons of earth to provide a foundation for around 240 square meters construction project. Some bamboo halls, pavilions and a paved road were built on the islets. After that, a fishing terrace was opened to the public. This islet features the complex of all-bamboo buildings surrounded with varieties of trees and flowers. Therefore, this spot was named as “Ruan Gong Islet Submerged in Greenery”.
The whole islet is covered with green woods, just like a piece of jadeite in a jasper plate. It appears unique yet natural with all the green willows, bamboos, camphor trees, osmanthus trees and roses. Walking along the islet, you will immediately find yourself in a place like Shangri-la. Getting ashore from a rowing boat and looking back, you can find the islet just like a fairy islet with its distinct reflection in the clear water. Currently, the Ruan Gong Islet is set up as a venue of a gala night featuring an ancient Chinese style. The program is renewed every year. In the recent years, a performance called “Qianlong’s (an emperor in the Qing Dynasty) Tour to the south of the Changjiang River” is put on.
The scenic spot, Precious – Stone – Hill – Floating – in – Rosy – Clouds, is situated on the Precious Hill. Originally, it was called as Shimu Hill, or Baoshu Hill. The hill consists of rhyolite and tuff rocks which shine dazzlingly bright in the sun like real jaspers. Odd stones assemble on the hill, like Yiyuan Stone, Tunxia Stone, Fengxiang Stone, Luoxin Stone etc. Therefore, it is named as Precious Stone Hill. Especially, the Baoshu Pagoda and many purple rocks on the hill sparkle like diamond inlaid in the morning or evening sunlight. Hence, this scenic is named as “Precious Stone Hill Floating in Rosy Clouds”.
Situated on the Precious Stone Hill, Boashu Pagoda was erected in the Northern Song Dynasty initially. Then, it was destroyed and built repeatedly. Currently, it is a solid pagoda built of bricks with 6 sides and seven floors, 45 meters high. It was rebuilt in 1993 according to the design of Ming Dynasty. As the landmark of the West Lake, it appears as a beautiful girl standing slim and graceful on the hill. A lot of attractions can be found on the hill, e.g. Baoshu Pagoda, odd stones, Sunrise Terrace etc. Climbing up the wooded Precious Stone Hill, you can enjoy an excellent view of the West Lake and the downtown area of Hangzhou. There is a small red pavilion near the Baoshu Pagoda named “Alighting Phoenix Pavilion”. Near the pavilion, there is Chuan Zheng Cave. Passing through the steep cliffs and narrow path of the cave, you will suddenly have a broadening view.
Since Ming Dynasty, Manjuelong Village boasts for the osmanthus trees. Sweet osmanthus tree is an evergreen tree native to China. The osmanthus season falls between late September and early October. Its flower are tiny, bright yellow and intoxicatingly fragrant. At the right season, the air is even heavy with the sweet scent. In 1984, the osmanthus tree was chosen as the city flower of Hangzhou, and therefore it was listed in “New Ten Views of West Lake”.Water Music Cave situates at the edge of Manjuelong Village, it is a must place for the visitors in summer. The path in the cave is parallel to a happy, gurgling stream which meanders into a pond at the entrance. The sound of stream water is just like a natural lute playing. A short distance above it, there is Rosy Cloud Cave which have been designated for province protection. It is named from the view at sunset with the smoke rising from chimneys from Manjuelong Village just below.
This attraction locates southwest to the West Lakt, on the North Bank of Qiantang River and in Wuyun Hill Yunqi Village. “Yunqi” means clouds lingering. It is said that some auspicious color clouds came flying from the nearby Color Clouds Hill and lingered on here, hence the name. Bamboo – Lined Path at Yunqi is well known for its quietness and coolness. One Chinese sweet gum tree is above the age of 1000. The famous stone paved footpath leading into the Yunqi valley is lined with hundreds of thousands of bamboo. Walking along the path, soon you will meet a pond called Mind Purifying Pond which means “a pure mind”. The water is cool and clear, the hills are quite and beautiful.
Yunxi abounds in tea known as one of top four teas in Hangzhou. The quality of the earth over Yunxi and Meijiawu is very good and is suitable for tea’s growth. Therefore, here is the major tea producing area in Hangzhou and is famed all over the world.In Yun Xi, you can enjoy different nice scenes in different seasons. Come in Spring for its bamboo shoots growing among the bamboo forest; in summer for the cool breeze bringing the fragrance of trees; in autumn for its colorful forest over the surrounding hills; in winter for the whole valley clad in white. Three nice pavilions were constructed to grace the bamboo – lined path: “Mind Purifying Pavilion” “Dragon Back Pavilion” and “Meeting- Rain Pavilion”. It will be a wonderful experience to enjoy the rain scene by sitting in the pavilion.
This attraction, one of the “New Top Ten”, locates at the northern foot of Qixia Ridge. Yellow Dragon Cave was originally called as “Protect – the – Nation Benevolent King Cave”, “No Gate Cave” or “Yellow Dragon Pool”. It got the name from the legend that a Southeren Song monk from Yellow Dragon Hill in Jiangxi Province came and decided to build a temple here. One day, suddenly a yellow dragon appeared and hit the ground strongly. Then, a big rock cracked in the middle like dragon mouth and a spring gushed out from it. Moreover, Yellow Dragon Cave seems to be dressed in green with green bamboo growing in the surrounding hills. Various kinds of bamboo are available around the cave, such as black bamboo, square bamboo etc. On a green huge high steep rock, there is a spring issuing from the mouth of the yellow dragon and tricking down into the pool below. A famous quotation was engraved beside the spring: “Regardless the depth, Divine is the dragon pool”. Near the pool, there two nice pavilions called Fragrant Snow and Crane’s Stopover. Now this garden also is served as a folk custom display and entertainment side. When you enter the courtyard, you will see the musicians in the ancient uniform play the Chinese traditional musical instruments.
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