West Lake

West Lake, also known as Xihu and by other names, is a freshwater lake in Hangzhou, China. Situated to the west of Hangzhou's former walled city, the lake has a surface area of , stretching from north to south and from east to west. In the lake are four causeways, three artificial islands, and Gushan, the only natural island. with the Leifeng and Baochu pagodas standing in pair on the south and north banks.

A tourist attraction since the Tang dynasty (618–907), the lake has influenced poets and painters throughout Chinese history for its natural beauty and historic relics. By the Song dynasty (960–1279), during which the dynastic capital moved to Hangzhou, it had become a cultural landmark and one of the most visited tourist destinations of China. and the 2005 Renminbi, as well as in the Chinese passport. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011, the lake is recognised to have influenced garden designs in China, Japan, and Korea over the centuries as "an idealised fusion between humans and nature."

The lake, along with the surrounding hills, constitutes the West Lake Scenic Area, which is governed by the Management Committee of Hangzhou West Lake Scenic Area, a special administration dedicated to cultural preservation and gardening under the Hangzhou municipal government since 2002. The first major Chinese tourist attraction to cancel admission fees, the scenic area is crowded during public holidays. Over the 2024 National Day holiday, the area received 4.426 million visitors in seven days, a 30.92% rise from the previous year.

Names

Historically, the lake has been referred to by various names, including Qiantang Lake. The first description of the waters near Hangzhou was made in the Book of Han finished in 111, which states,

Bai Juyi was among the first to refer to the lake as "West Lake", due to its location to the west of the city. 16th-century Chinese scholars considered the West Lake of Hangzhou to be the most famous among the 35 other lakes with the same name in China. the Western Lake, Si-hu, Hsi Hu, Xi Hu, Lake Hsi, Lake Hsi-hu, and Xi Lake. In local folklore, when Qin Shi Huang (259–210 BC), the first emperor of China, visited Hangzhou, West Lake was still part of the Qiantang River. The giant rock on the north bank of West Lake was said to be where the emperor anchored his fleet. According to Records of the Grand Historian, during his visit in 210 BC, the emperor was halted in Hangzhou by the strong tide of the Qiantang River and had to take a detour westward to reach Shaoxing. During the Eastern Han era (25–220), local official Hua Xin ordered the construction of a seawall to completely cut the lake off from the sea. In 591, the government seat of Hangzhou, originally on the west shore, was relocated to the newly built walled city east of the lake. With the completion of the Grand Canal, Hangzhou, as its destination, became a transport hub of China.

{|class="toccolours" style="float: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; background:#c6dbf7; color:black; width:20em; max-width: 100%;" cellspacing="5"

|style="text-align: left;"|"The lovely Spring breeze has come Back to the Lake of the West. The Spring waters are so clear and Green they might be freshly painted. The clouds of perfume are sweeter Than can be imagined. In the Gentle East wind the petals Fall like grains of rice."

|style="text-align: left;"|—Ouyang Xiu (1007–1072), excerpts from Spring Day on West Lake

Before the Tang dynasty (618–907), West Lake was a shallow body of water, but continuous dredging efforts prevented it from becoming a swamp. During the Jianzhong period (780–783) of the Tang dynasty, local official Li Bi diverted water into Hangzhou via underground pipes, creating six ponds to secure the city's water supply. In 822, Bai Juyi dredged West Lake and used the silt to build a long causeway between Qiantang and Yuhang Gates, which was named in his memory. Under the Wuyue Kingdom (907–932), with Hangzhou being the capital, King Qian Liu ordered annual dredging of West Lake with soldiers to maintain water quality for water supply. In the Song dynasty, Su Shi (1037–1101) ordered the construction of the Su Causeway from dredged silt in 1089. He designated an area of the lake with three stone pagodas to prevent water chestnut planting and reduce silting, which may mark the origin of the "Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon." By 1275, military patrols were appointed to maintain and police the lake, where littering of any rubbish or planting additional lotuses or water-chestnuts were forbidden.

From literary tradition to tourism

thumb|Su Shi's Verse on West Lake by Zhao Mengfu in 1320

Literary works by renowned literati contributed to the fame of Hangzhou's West Lake among Chinese intellectuals.

Wars and conflicts in northern China during the Song dynasty—including invasions by the Khitan, Jurchen, and Mongols—triggered significant migration southward to the new capital, leading to urbanisation and economic prosperity. With city walls blocking much of the natural scenery, West Lake became a favoured destination for urban residents seeking respite from the demands of city life and political turmoil.thumb|Scenic Attractions of West Lake (c. 14th century)

By the late Song dynasty, West Lake had evolved into a significant hub where tourism emerged. While pilgrimage and contemplative retreat had previously been the main motives for travel, sightseeing gained wide acceptance as an activity focused on enjoyment and the appreciation of natural beauty, roughly at the same time as in western Europe. Aesthetic appreciation of landscapes became a popular business, with diverse entertainment options which involved standardised routes and viewing orders made available to cater to various preferences and budgets. Tour guides, seasonal markets and specialty shops emerged. Boating on the lake was a popular pastime, with records noting hundreds of intricately carved, elegantly decorated boats gliding gracefully over the water.

thumb|270x270px|[[Yue Fei Temple]]

Mongol rule and fall of tourism

The booming tourism led to different interpretations. The lake was regarded as a literary tradition, a symbol of the state and a part of local history and knowledge, but for some, a symbol of extravagance and luxury.

In 1142, Yue Fei, a hawkish Chinese general known for his determined efforts to reclaim northern China, was executed by the dovish emperor and his chief councillor. Yue's death marked the end of attempts to recapture the north, as the emperor prioritised peace despite the Song army's successes. In 1162, his wrongful execution was acknowledged, and his remains were moved to a tomb by West Lake. Since 1221, a nearby temple has been repurposed in his memory. When the Ming dynasty replaced Mongol rule, Hangzhou gradually regained its prosperity by the mid-15th century. However, the lake experienced droughts in 1442 and 1456, causing it to dry up temporarily. In 1508, Hangzhou governor Yang Mengying led a major dredging effort, repairing the Su and Bai Causeways and creating the Yanggong Causeway in his memory. This restoration returned the lake's appearance to its Tang dynasty splendour. Further construction works in 1576, 1607-1611 and 1621 built the Mid-Lake Pavilion and the Lesser Yingzhou Islet. The period of time saw the publication of a series of books on local history and culture which depicted West Lake, inspiring Japanese gardens such as the Kyū Shiba Rikyū Garden. In 1864, the West Lake Dredging Bureau was established, to manage the dredging of the lake. Land in the Manchu quarter was sold at auction to establish a New Business District and the lakefront renovated as a string of public parks, integrating West Lake into the new heart of the city. The former imperial palace on Gushan was converted into Zhongshan Park, named for Sun Yat-sen. The exposition showcased Chinese merchandise and cultureparticularly those of Hangzhou and Jiangnanto a global audience. Under Japanese rule, deforestation of the mountains surrounding West Lake led to rapid silting of the lake from soil erosion, due to a lack of maintenance. With the Japanese surrender in 1945, tourism at West Lake flourished once again, although the city itself faced severe economic challenges due to hyperinflation. Hangzhou Botanical Garden and a flower garden was opened on the lake's west shore. The parks of Fish Viewing at the Flower Pond and Orioles Singing in the Willows were constructed. Lingyin Temple, Jingci Temple, Yue-Wang Temple, Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon, Mid-Lake Pavilion and other spots were renovated. thumb|U.S. President [[Richard Nixon at West Lake in 1972]]Since 1953, Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party Mao Zedong stayed periodically at West Lake every year until his death in 1976. To ensure his safety, the local government forcibly relocated residents suspected of connections with the Nationalists to labour camps. Shops near the lake were acquired by the state, and undercover security personnel were stationed at over 100 shops in the area. The tombs of notable figures—including Wu Song, Fang La, Yu Qian, Zhang Cangshui, Su Manshu, Su Xiaoxiao, and the Stuart family—as well as the temples of Yue Fei and Wen Tianxiang, were damaged or destroyed. During the Cultural Revolution (1966–1976), Liutong Temple and another temple were destroyed. Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai ordered the closure of the Lingyin Temple to prevent it from being damaged, but repairs were later made to many scenic sites, due to the visits by the exiled Cambodian prince Norodom Sihanouk in 1971 and the American president Richard Nixon in 1972. During the 2016 G20 Hangzhou summit and the 2023 Asian Games, West Lake State Guest House was where General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Xi Jinping met with foreign guests, such as Barack Obama and Narendra Modi.

General layout

thumb|Map of West Lake

The layout of West Lake features "one hill, two pagodas, three islets, four causeways and five lakes." Among them, ten classic scenic places are collectively known as the "Ten Scenes of West Lake".

=== Gushan ===

Gushan (), literally "Orphan" or "Solitary Island", is the only natural island on West Lake. Connected to the northern shore by Xiling Bridge and Bai Causeway, Gushan and Bai Causeway separate the North Inner Lake from the Outer West Lake. In local folklore, the island is grouped with the Broken Bridge and the Long Bridge as the "Three Oddities of West Lake": the Broken Bridge is not broken, Solitary Island is not solitary, and the Long Bridge is not long. During the Qing dynasty, Gushan became part of a detached palace for emperors visiting Hangzhou. Wenlan Pavilion, the royal library on the island, housed a valuable collection of literary works and rare texts. After the 1911 revolution, the palace grounds were transformed into Zhongshan Park to honor Sun Yat-sen, a key figure in the revolution. The Wenlan Pavilion and other former palace buildings were incorporated into the Zhejiang Provincial Museum, while a new building next to the Pavilion was completed in 1912 to host the Zhejiang Library.

Two pagodas

thumb|Baochu Pagoda and Beishan Road

Leifeng Pagoda (), originally built in 975, is located on Sunset Hill. According to local tales, it plays a central role in the legend of the White Snake. Leifeng Pagoda was rebuilt in 2002 after the original structure collapsed in 1924, and it remains a popular tourist spot with stunning views of the lake.

Bai Causeway () – Originally called the White Sand Causeway, it was naturally formed before the Tang dynasty (618–907) and reinforced between 766 and 779. The causeway collapsed during the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368) and was rebuilt in 1589. By the Qing dynasty (1644–1911), the causeway became known as the Bai Causeway in memory of Bai Juyi and by analogy with the Su Causeway.
Su Causeway () – Built in 1089 under the direction of Su Shi during his term as prefect, this causeway, along with six bridges to allow ferry passages, connects Quyuan on the north shore to Huagang on the south shore. It separates the Inner Lake from the outer West Lake.
Yanggong Causeway () – Constructed in 1508 by local official Yang Mengying () to mitigate flooding, this causeway features six bridges that facilitate ferry access between the Inner Lake and the Outer Lake.

Additionally, Zhaogong Causeway (), also known as the Jinsha Causeway, was built in 1242, connecting Quyuan to the Su Causeway. It was named after Zhao Yuchou (), then prefect of Lin'an.

Five lakes

The current lake, roughly oval in shape, was dredged during past dynasties and spans 3.3 km from north to south, 2.8 km from east to west, with a shoreline circumference of 15 km and a total water area of 5.6 square kilometres. Divided by Gushan Hill, the Su Causeway, and the Bai Causeway, it consists of five distinct water bodies interconnected by bridge arches. The ten scenes include:

{| class="wikitable"

!English translation

|Breeze-ruffled Lotus at Quyuan Garden

|Views of gardens with lotus at north end of the Su Causeway during the summer

| colspan="2" |

|Views from the northeast of the main lake toward the three islands, with hills to the west, south, and east sides of West Lake

|View toward the Broken Bridge at the eastern end of Bai Causeway, extending westward beyond. in the sunset

|Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon

| colspan="2" |

|Three small stone pagodas near the artificial island of Lesser Yingzhou, with lanterns that reflect on the lake's surface alongside the moonlight

|Listening to Orioles at Willow Waves

|Originally a royal garden of the Song dynasty, a park filled with willows swaying with the wind and singing birds

|Twin Peaks Piercing the Clouds

|On rainy or misty days, parts of the South and North Peaks seem to emerge and disappear within the clouds, with their tops still visible above the mist

|Viewing Fish at Flower Pond

|Views of ponds with goldfish in a floral garden between the Small South Lake and Inner West Lake in the west.

Located on the southeastern edge of China's hilly regions and the northern boundary of the subtropical zone, West Lake receives an annual solar radiation of 100–110 kcal/cm2 and enjoys 1,800–2,100 sunshine hours per year. Due to Hangzhou's mild climate, West Lake seldom freezes during winter. The last complete freezing of the lake occurred in January 1977, when the city experienced extreme cold, with temperatures plunging to a record low of −8.6 °C. Partial and temporary freezing, however, is observed almost annually, contingent on weather conditions.

Flora

West Lake is surrounded by rich and varied vegetation. Within the nominated area, there are 1,369 species of spermatophytes from 739 genera in 184 families, including 28 gymnosperm species from 19 genera in 7 families and 1,273 angiosperm species from 675 genera in 150 families. Additionally, there are 68 species of pteridophytes from 45 genera in 27 families.

Seasonal flowers

thumb|Lotus Flowers upon the Yuehu Lake

The four main seasonal flowers of the West Lake landscape—peach blossoms, lotus flowers, osmanthus, and plum blossoms—are closely connected to Hangzhou's cultural heritage such as the Ten Scenes of West Lake. These plants embody the concept of integrating seasonal beauty into the landscape design of these scenic areas.

Peach trees and willows line the shores and causeways, adding colour to the lake during spring and early summer. On the Su and Bai Causeways, one willow are typically intercropped with one peach, a pattern designed by Su Shi in the 11th century.thumb|People taking wedding photos by West Lake

Tourism

Recognised as a National Key Scenic Resort in 1982 and designated a national AAAAA tourist destination in 2006, the West Lake Scenic Area is one of China's most popular tourist attractions and a significant cultural landmark. In 2002, the municipal government removed the park walls, allowing free access to most areas around the lake. This made West Lake the first major tourist destination to eliminate admission fees, with the aim of boosting the sales of nearby restaurants, hotels, and retail stores. During public holidays, West Lake is one of the most crowded scenic spots in China. During the 2024 National Day holiday, the area recorded 4.426 million visitors over seven days, representing a 30.92% increase compared to the previous year. This strategic move contributed to the area's economic resilience during the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic by reducing dependence on admission fees as a primary source of income. Before the anti-corruption movement led by Xi Jinping in 2014, Longjing tea was highly valued and often gifted, at times even surpassing the price of gold. In 2019, the core West Lake production area yielded 502.35 tons, generating a revenue of 3.22 billion yuan (approximately 465.57 million US dollars).

Gastronomy

thumb|[[West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy]]

Zhejiang cuisine, one of the eight traditional cuisines of China, is renowned for its light, mild flavours with a hint of sweetness. Thanks to its geographical location, which provides access to an abundance of seasonal ingredients, Hangzhou's branch of Zhejiang cuisine is divided into two main types: lake cuisine and city cuisine. Signature dishes made from West Lake's freshwater fish and lotus root include West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy and Beggar's Chicken.

Culture

Garden designs

thumb|The West Lake as replicated in miniature size in the Japan-China Friendship Garden, [[Gifu]]

A human-made landscape, West Lake exemplifies Chinese landscape aesthetics, symbolising harmony between humans and nature as well as the projection of human emotions onto natural scenery. The poetic names create framed views of scenery to be seen from specific locations. West Lake landscape embodies six key elements inspired by Chinese literature: In 1989, Japan-China Friendship Garden, which involves a miniature replica of West Lake, was built inside the Gifu Park in Gifu, Japan, in memory of the city's friendly tie with Hangzhou since 1979.

Fine arts

thumb|Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon on the Chinese banknote

For centuries, West Lake has also been a prominent theme in East Asian landscape painting, The State Administration of Cultural Heritage (2011) listed more than 500 paintings and calligraphic works that feature West Lake since the Tang dynasty (618–907), while Japanese paintings of the lake may even outnumber the existing Chinese depictions. As a cultural icon of China, it has been featured on Chinese currency, including the one-yuan banknote in the 1979 Bank of China Foreign Exchange Certificate

|Japanese painting

|1496

|Shūgetsu Tōkan

| rowspan="3" |Tokyo National Museum

|The Scholar Weng Songnian Collecting Water Shields

|Chinese painting

|17th century

|Dou Cishan, Weng Songnian

|Ten Views of West Lake

|Japanese calligraphy

|1720

|Hosoi Kōtaku

|West Lake in Spring, High Tide at Qiantang

|Japanese painting

|18th century

|Ike Taiga

|Umi-Mori Art Museum

|A fish selling woman and a hermit in West Lake

|Woodblock prints

|Qing dynasty

|N/A

|Edo-Tokyo Museum

|The Best Scenic Spot in China, Beautiful Views of West Lake

|Printed material

|20th century

|N/A

|The Museum of the Imperial Collections

|Chinese Traditional Arch at West Lake

|Oil painting

|20th century

|Kojima Torajiro

| rowspan="4" |Taiwan

| rowspan="3" |National Palace Museum

|Ten Scenes Around West Lake

|Chinese painting

|13th century

|Ye Xiaoyan

|Ten Scenes from West Lake

|Chinese painting

|1750

|Dong Bangda

|Imperially Commissioned Set of Ink Sticks with Images and Poems of Famous West Lake Sites

|Studio implements

|18th century

|N/A

|National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts

|West Lake, in Hang Jou

|Watercolour

|1948

|Ma Pai-sui

| rowspan="2" |Hong Kong

| rowspan="2" |M+ Museum

|West Lake

| rowspan="2" |Photography

|1956

|Xue Zijiang

|Mao in a private meditation, West Lake

|1954

|Hou Bo

| rowspan="2" |China mainland

|10 sites around West Lake

|The Imperial Stele of Ten Scenes of West Lake

|Chinese calligraphy

|1699-1784

|Kangxi and Qianlong emperors

|Liaoing Provincial Museum

|Ten Scenes of West Lake

|Chinese painting

|17th century

|Wang Yuanqi

| rowspan="4" |United States

|Cleveland Museum of Art

|West Lake

|Japense painting

|mid-1700s

|Ike Taiga

| rowspan="2" |The Metropolitan Museum of Art

|West Lake, Hangzhou

|Chinese sketch

|20th century

|Xie Zhiliu

|Jinshan Island and West Lake

|Japense painting

|1630

|Kanō Sanraku

|National Museum of Asian Art

|Scenic Attractions of West Lake

|Chinese painting

|14th century

|Formerly attributed to Li Song

Popular culture

thumb|The scene of Yun opera [[Legend of the White Snake|The Legend of the White Snake, where the hero and heroine first met over West Lake]]

West Lake has deeply influenced Chinese literature, inspiring poets and writers for centuries. Works by poets such as Bai Juyi, Su Shi, Xu Zhimo, and Hu Shih celebrate its historic sites and natural beauty. The Ming essayist Zhang Dai also honoured the lake in his writings, including Reminiscence and Dream of Tao'an and Search for West Lake in Dreams. In folklore, West Lake serves as the setting for several popular tales, including The Legend of the White Snake, the stories of Ji Gong,

Names

From literary tradition to tourism

Mongol rule and fall of tourism

General layout

Two pagodas

Five lakes

Flora

Seasonal flowers

Tourism

Gastronomy

Culture

Garden designs

Fine arts

Popular culture

See also

References

Citations

Sources

Further reading

External links