Hangzhou West Lake Scenery Spot — Attraction in Hangzhou City

West Lake is surrounded on three sides by 'cloud-capped hills' and on the fourth by the city of Hangzhou. Its beauty has been celebrated by writers and artists since the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907). In order to make it more beautiful, its islands, causeways and the lower slopes of its hills have been 'improved' by the addition of numerous temples, pagodas, pavilions, gardens and ornamental trees which merge with farmed landscape. The main artificial elements of the lake, two causeways and three islands, were created from repeated dredgings between the 9th and 12th centuries. Since the Southern Song Dynasty (thirteenth century) ten poetically named scenic places have been identified as embodying idealised, classic landscapes - that manifest the perfect fusion between man and nature. West Lake is an outstanding example of a cultural landscape that display with great clarity the ideals of Chinese landscape aesthetics, as expounded by writers and scholars in Tang and Song Dynasties. The landscape of West Lake had a profound impact on the design of gardens not only in China but further afield, where lakes and causeways imitated the harmony and beauty of West Lake. The key components of West Lake still allow it to inspire people to 'project feelings onto the landscape'. The visual parameters of this vast landscape garden are clearly defined, rising to the ridges of the surrounding hills as viewed...

West Lake in Hangzhou is undoubtedly a breathtakingly scenic destination, rich in history and culture. The serene waters, willow-lined banks, and ancient pagodas create a mesmerising landscape that is truly postcard-perfect. However, even on a regular weekday, the crowds can be overwhelming, making it difficult to fully appreciate the tranquillity one might expect. Popular vantage points, such as Leifeng Pagoda and Broken Bridge, are often teeming with visitors, which can diminish the peaceful atmosphere. That said, an early morning visit may offer a more serene experience. Despite the crowds, West Lake remains a must-visit, particularly for those who appreciate classical Chinese gardens and...

A very nice complex with a very good scenery. There’s a long pathway for pedestrian to go along the lake. We can also take a boat to go to multiple sides of the lake with different attractions available in each of the side.

I would recommend to spend the whole day here or even better to stay a night since there is also a light show at the night.

The west lake is also attached to the shopping mall complex, so it’s really convenience for tourist...