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The Beautiful West Lake of Hangzhou

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic (by 52 people)   Your rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic

Ranked #439 in Travel, #21433 overall

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Rated G. (Control what you see)

 

If you want to visit China, West Lake in Hangzhou is a place you would not want to miss. There is a Chinese saying that goes, "Above there is heaven, below there are Suzhou and Hangzhou." This is not an exaggeration; Hangzhou is as beautiful as heaven. You have to visit Hangzhou to fathom its beauty. Marco Polo, the first westerner to visit Hangzhou in the 13th century, described Hangzhou as "without doubt the finest and most splendid city in the world." A famous poet of the Song Dynasty, Su Dongpo (960-1127), once compared the West Lake to Xizi (the most beautiful woman in ancient China) in his poem:

"Rippling waters shimmering on a sunny day;
Misty mountains shrouded in rain;
Plain or gaily decked out like Xizi;
West Lake is always alluring."

Ten Scenic Spots in West Lake (西湖十景) 

There are ten scenic spots scattered in and around the West Lake, collectively known as the "Ten Scenes of West Lake". Here goes their names:
  1. Dawn on the Su Causeway in Spring (苏堤春晓)
  2. Curved Yard and Lotus Pool in Summer (曲苑风荷)
  3. Moon over the Peaceful Lake in Autumn (平湖秋月)
  4. Remnant Snow on the Bridge in Winter (断桥残雪)
  5. Leifeng Pagoda in the Sunset (雷峰夕照)
  6. Two Peaks Piercing the Clouds (双峰插云)
  7. Orioles Singing in the Willows (柳浪闻莺)
  8. Fish Viewing at the Flower Pond (花港观鱼)
  9. Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon (三潭映月)
  10. Evening Bell Ringing at the Nanping Hill (南屏晚钟)

Your Favorite Scenic Spot of West Lake 

Have you have visited the Ten Scenes of West Lake? Vote for the ones you like best, the ones most memorable to you.

Two Peaks Piercing the Clouds (双峰插云)

5 points

Remnant Snow on the Bridge in Winter (断桥残雪)

3 points

Leifeng Pagoda in the Sunset (雷峰夕照)

3 points

Dawn on the Su Causeway in Spring (苏堤春晓)

2 points

Orioles Singing in the Willows (柳浪闻莺)

2 points

Fish Viewing at the Flower Pond (花港观鱼)

2 points

Curved Yard and Lotus Pool in Summer (曲苑风荷)

1 point

Moon over the Peaceful Lake in Autumn (平湖秋月)

1 point

Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon (三潭映月)

1 point

Evening Bell Ringing at the Nanping Hill (南屏晚钟)

1 point

Ten New Scenes of West Lake (西湖新十景) 

In the year 1985, a group of 5 govermental bodies and organizations selected ten new scenic spots known collectively as the "Ten New Scenes of West Lake". Here are their names:
  1. Bamboo-Lined Path at Yunqi (云栖竹径)
  2. Sweet Osmanthus Rain at Manjuelong Village (满陇桂雨)
  3. Galloping Tiger Spring (虎跑梦泉)
  4. Inquiring about Tea at Dragon Well (龙井问茶)
  5. Creeks in Misty Forest (九溪烟树)
  6. Heavenly Wind over Wu Hill (吴山天风)
  7. Circular Green at Lord Ruan's Mound (阮墩环碧)
  8. Yellow Dragon Cave Dressed in Green (黄龙吐翠)
  9. Clouds Scurrying over Jade Emperor Hill (玉皇飞云)
  10. Precious Stone Hill Floating in Rosy Cloud (宝石流霞)

Beautiful Hangzhou Videos 

A video is worth a thousand words. The videos below are a pleasure to watch, although some are in Chinese.

Hangzhou, China 

Video of Hang Zhou, China

Runtime: 6:05
9025 views
10 Comments:

powered by YouTube

Dreaming of Paradise 

Hangzhou Anthem

Runtime: 4:49
7996 views
10 Comments:

powered by YouTube

Welcome to Hangzhou 

The Capital of Southern Song Dynasty

Runtime: 3:30
4875 views
10 Comments:

powered by YouTube

Hangzhou in 5 Minutes 

Tour Around Hangzhou

Runtime: 4:43
1757 views
10 Comments:

powered by YouTube

Chinese Musical Journey - Hangzhou 

A Cultural Tour with Traditional Chinese Music

Runtime: 3:00
600 views
0 Comments:

powered by YouTube

Legend of Madam White Snake 

Any description about Hangzhou won't be complete without a mention of the Legend of Madam White Snake (白蛇传). This is a romance story between a young scholar called XuXuan (许仙) and a beautiful woman, Bai SuZhen (白素贞), who is actually a white snake which has taken on human form. A monk called FaHai (法海) intervenes in order to save the scholar and locks the white snake in the LeiFeng Pagoda.

In the early '90s, I watched a Taiwanese TV series called New Legend of Madame White Snake (新白娘子传奇). It was such a touching story. Beautiful actress, beautiful landscape, touching music... If you just watched it once, you'll remember it for the rest of your life. By the way, you'll want to watch it over and over again because it's so moving. Here are some pictures from the series:




New Legend of Madame White Snake Theme Song 

新白娘子传奇 : 千年等一会

Here's a short youtube clip of the movie's theme song. Hooked already?

Runtime: 2:59
28977 views
10 Comments:

powered by YouTube

Interesting Facts 

  • The most popular sight in Hangzhou is West Lake ;-)
  • The city flower of Hangzhou is Sweet Osmanthus (桂花).
  • Hangzhou is best known for its silk and Longjing Tea (龙井茶).
  • Hangzhou was the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279 AD) and was known as Lin'an (臨安).
  • Yue Fei (岳飞), a famous Chinese patriot and national hero of the Southern Song Dynasty was buried near West Lake.
  • Su Dongpo (苏东坡), a famous poet and governer of the Song Dynasty invented the Dongpo Pork (东坡肉) which is a famous Chinese cuisine available on the menu of every restaurant in Hangzhou.
  • Wu Song (武松), a hero famous for slaying a tiger with his bare hands was buried in Hangzhou. His tomb, which was rebuilt in 2004 is just on the side of West Lake.
  • A mausoleum actually existed below the Leifeng Pagoda (雷锋塔). This was corroborated using a radar. When the mausoleum was excavated on the 11th of March, 2001, a 35cm-high gilded silver pagoda which contains the Buddha's hair, was found. However, there was no trace of Madame White Snake :(
  • The Hangzhou Bay Bridge (杭州湾大桥), a 36-kilometre long bridge linking Jiaxing in the north to Ningbo's Cixi county in the south, is the longest sea-crossing bridge in the world. The bridge is an S-shaped cable-stayed bridge with six expressway lanes in both directions. It was opened to public on May 2, 2008.

West Lake/Hangzhou Related Links 

Finally, some links you might be interested in:
Marco Polo: The Glories Of Kinsay [Hangchow]
Hangzhou as described by Marco Polo.
Hangzhou - China Travel Guide
Unbiased Hangzhou travel guide and review.
Vacation Time in China - Artipot
An interesting story of a Canadian guy who visited Hangzhou.
Hangzhou - Wikitravel
Hangzhou travel guide from Wikitravel.
Madame White Snake - Wikipedia
Learn more about the Legend of the White Snake.

Feedback 

I'd love to hear your thoughts about Hangzhou or West Lake or anything related to them. So don't hesitate to drop a line or two here.

drs2biz

A high impact lens worth 5 stars! Beautiful imagery... now I must save up and go there ;-)

Posted September 24, 2008

BaiNiangZi

To Rokusan: The lake in Jet Li's "Hero" where Nameless and Broken Sword fight was filmed above the waters of Arrow Bamboo Lake in the Jiuzhaigou Valley of northern Sichuan, quite near the epicenter of the massive earthquake on May 2008.

Posted September 18, 2008

emilyava

Wow! great lens. I love very much this lens.

Posted September 15, 2008

MsMorrison

I can't help checking your lens! I hope to visit this place one day!

Posted August 20, 2008

garywgoldstein

scenic place. If I have a chance to visit China, I'll sure stop by a this place.

Posted August 16, 2008

peterpaan

Nice Lens, Great Spots. Thanks.

Posted August 12, 2008

JziE

nice pictures, have to visit this place

Posted August 07, 2008

Rokusan

Wow, it's so beautiful.... You've built a really nice lens, 5* !! By the way, is this the lake that was the setting of the imaginary fight between Nameless and Broken Sword in Jet Li's "Hero"? That lake, it is said, is still like a mirror for only a short time every day (I think, 30 or 60 minutes). This beautiful West Lake of Hangzhou reminds me of that one.

Well done, Bai.

Posted July 28, 2008

poddys

Very nice lens, I love the photos. 5*****

Posted July 27, 2008

MsMorrison

wow, great sites! 5 stars!

Posted July 16, 2008

youhavegottobekidding

Wow love those picture. it really captures the essence for the place.

Love you Lens 5 stars for you.

Posted July 15, 2008

AdamTaha

Brillaint lense. I now want to go there. And your profile text, is AWESOME!!!! Which reminds me, I gotta watch some Japanese, Chineses and some Korean Movies. They are brilaint.

Thanks for sharing an amazing lense.

Posted July 14, 2008

KonaGirl

I loved the videos and photos! Great job! 5 stars and lensrolled to my Big Island of Hawaii

Posted June 08, 2008

TopStyleTravel

Fabulous lens, wonderful pictures. Thanks

Posted June 07, 2008

GrowWear

This lens sure does make a person want to take a trip! Five Stars.

Posted June 04, 2008

Tiddledeewinks

Nice lens with beautiful pictures!

Posted May 29, 2008

eccles1

I love this lens !how beautiful
Thank you

Posted May 23, 2008

hearthealth

Hehe, seriously now, am more interested in the cam used! But excellent tourism lens, 5* naturally.
Hope you could visit my Carnival and Studio Glass lens!

Posted May 23, 2008

myhappylaptop

oooohhhh eyecandy i want to go. 5 stars! love the myths and legends of the orient. so gorgeous!!! myhappylaptop and a fan :D

Posted May 20, 2008

DebbieJohnson

Thank you for the wonderful lens!
5 stars for you!

Regards,
Debbie Johnson

Posted May 18, 2008

tripadvisor

Great lens! During my visit to China, I just made it to Guangzhou; but Hangzhou is definitely on my list for next time!

Posted May 17, 2008

Lens4Sale

Looks stunning! 5*

Posted May 16, 2008

A_RovingReporter

What a great travel lens! Five stars!

Posted May 16, 2008

JAV010

oh 5 stars realy realy good lens :) thanks i love it. There are realy good photos realy nice movies .

Posted May 13, 2008

Grasshoppa

Some of these pictures remind me of my stay in Korea, but Korea wasn't as nice in as many places. :)

Posted May 12, 2008

Jimmie

Lovely photos! Thanks for joining the Learning About China group. :-)

Posted May 10, 2008

britney-smith

Nice lens ! 5 Stars for you

Posted May 09, 2008

WhippetTalk

Breathtaking! I have not been to China - yet. My mother is Vietnamese and I have been to Singapore and Thailand. I hope to someday visit China and of course my homeland, Vietnam.

Posted May 08, 2008

hesika

Thank you for your lens. Now I have the desire to go to Hangzhou. I'll come back here to see the videos. :-)

Posted May 02, 2008

collagen

Great lens I am sure will be helpful for many and solving problem for others. Keep up a good work. Health Beauty and Skin Care

Posted April 24, 2008

 
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BaiNiangZi

About BaiNiangZi

Hi, I'm Bai Niang Zi. I would like to introduce you to the beautiful West Lake situated in the middle of the city of Hangzhou.

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