West Lake

The West Lake covers an area of 6.78 square kilometers. The average depth is 2.27 meters with the deepest being 5 meters. Three sides of the lake are surrounded by verdant mountains and one side of it prosperous city. The beauty of the lake lies in the harmonious combination of humanistic and natural scenery.

Centering around the West Lake , the West Lake Scenic Area is a national scenic area with a total area of 59 square meters. Ten of the most beautiful sites include: Spring Dawn at Sudi Causeway, Melting Snow at Broken Bridge, Sunset Glow over Leifeng Hill, Lotus in the Breeze at Crooked Courtyard, Autumn Moon on Calm Lake (a lakeside park at the west end of the Bai Causeway), Listening to Orioles Singing in the Willows, Viewing Fish and Lotus Ponds at Flower Harbor, Evening Bell at Nanping Hill, Three Pools Mirroring the Moon and Twin Peaks Piercing the Clouds.

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. In ancient times, this place had been an shallow sea gulf before it evolved into a residual lake.