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Asia China Hangzhou Do & See West Lake / 西湖

Overview

West Lake / 西湖

The guide was updated: 2022-06-01

West Lake's every scenic spot has a poetic name and a tale associated with it. Any local can point a wandering visitor to the best spot to enjoy the dawn or the setting sun. The best way to appreciate it in all its splendor is to rent a bicycle and take a ride around.

Useful Information

Address: West Lake, Hangzhou

Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.

*this will be downloaded as a PDF.

Price

€4,95

Purchase

West Lake / 西湖

West Lake / 西湖

West Lake's every scenic spot has a poetic name and a tale associated with it. Any local can point a wandering visitor to the best spot to enjoy the dawn or the setting sun. The best way to appreciate it in all its splendor is to rent a bicycle and take a ride around.

Leifeng Pagoda / 雷峰塔

Leifeng Pagoda / 雷峰塔

This 1,000-year old pagoda continues to capture the imagination of the Chinese for the legend behind it - one of captivity, magic and a triumph of good over evil. The top of the five-storey pagoda is accessible by lift and the view over the West Lake from here is truly amazing.

Evening Bell at Nanping Hill / 南屏晚钟

Evening Bell at Nanping Hill / 南屏晚钟

In old times, the temple bell resounded throughout Nanping Hill every day, summoning to pray for good fortune at Jingci Temple. Emperor Kangxi once said that the temple rouses one into deep thoughtfulness, and today monks of Jingci Temple still adhere to their daily sutra-chanting and meditation.

Song Dynasty Town / 宋城

Song Dynasty Town / 宋城

The Song Dynasty Town (or Songcheng) is an exciting, albeit slightly kitschy, theme park in Hangzhou. This is one of China’s largest dynastic theme parks, replicating the architecture and street scenes of that era.The park's main attraction, however, aren't its countless exotic exhibits, but a top-notch song and dance show that ranks amongst the finest in the world.

Pagoda of Six Harmonies / 六和塔

Pagoda of Six Harmonies / 六和塔

Pagoda of Six Harmonies stands on the bank of Qiantang River, safeguarding the turbulent waters. A magnificent view of the Qianjiang River Bridge (the first modern steel-structured bridge with combined railway and road functions) unfolds from the top.

Wu Zhen / 乌镇

Wu Zhen / 乌镇

About 80 km from Hangzhou city and just an easy hour bus ride away, Wu Zhen is a town where time passes without notice. More and more tourists have discovered the time-worn cobbled stone streets, crow-stepped gable, wooden doors and long, narrow alleys of Wu Zhen. Still, the life of the locals seem undisturbed. They still keep to their traditional customs, like drinking Sanbai Wine, making traditional maltose and sipping morning tea until 9.30 am, the same leisurely and pleasing way their great grandfathers did. With the newly created Wu Zhen International Theater Festival, the town shows also a touch of modern culture.

Longjing Tea Fields / 龙井茶园

Longjing Tea Fields / 龙井茶园

To immerse yourself into China's age-old tea tradition, visit the Longjing Tea Fields (or any of the other tea fields further to the west). Longjing is an exquisite variety of tea native to the region, and visitors will get a chance to sample the noble drink during a tea ceremony.

Fei Lai Feng & Lingyin Temple / 灵隐寺

Fei Lai Feng & Lingyin Temple / 灵隐寺

Bring time to the serene Fei Lai Feng mountain park and marvel at the area's hundreds of Buddha stone carvings, surrounded by lush greenery and an indescribable tranquil atmosphere. Much of the walk will entail hiking uphill to Lingyin Temple, so bring comfortable shoes.

Xixi Wetland Park / 西溪湿地

Xixi Wetland Park / 西溪湿地

Take a boat trip or a hike through the lush, airy Xixi Wetland Park as part of a tour or on your own. Explore the abundant vegetation and wildlife, absorb the tranquility and grab a bite at one of the food stands in the compact shopping area next to the boat docks.

Chinese Medicine Museum / 胡庆余堂中药博物馆

Chinese Medicine Museum / 胡庆余堂中药博物馆

Acquaint yourself with mysterious and rather exotic remedies collected in this authentic museum housed inside a traditional mansion right on the commercial Hefang street. Explore herbs and roots and see stuffed animals (some - a sight not for the faint of heart) used in traditional healing.

China Silk Museum / 中国丝绸博物馆

China Silk Museum / 中国丝绸博物馆

This educational museum tells the fascinating story of silk - from silk worms to finished product (some exquisite exhibits are on display), with demonstration of traditional weaving techniques. Admission is free, and explanations in English are provided.

Xiling Seal Art Society / 西泠印社

Xiling Seal Art Society / 西泠印社

Founded in 1904, Xiling Seal Art Society was dedicated to the research of traditional Chinese calligraphy and seal carving art. Today, it is also a museum where more than 6000 authentic works of ancient Chinese artists are preserved, a boutique where you can get stone carved seals or calligraphy with your own name on it. Even the well preserved Qing dynasty style architecture of the society alone is a piece of art.

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