Hangzhou: a true heaven on earth

Stop 1: The West Lake - a divinely picturesque spot

When thinking of tourism in Hangzhou, what is the first thing that springs to mind? West Lake? Almost certainly, yes. As the old Chinese saying states: "There is heaven in the sky, Suzhou and Hangzhou on the earth". Hangzhou's reputation as a heaven on earth is largely down to the West Lake. Its picturesque landscape and rich cultural heritage, spanning countless centuries, make it an unmissable spot for visitors.

Legend of the West Lake

There are many myths and legends surrounding the West Lake. According to one story, many years ago a jade dragon and a golden phoenix plucked a piece of white jade from the night sky and worked on polishing it together for many years. The jade became gloriously radiant and trees turned evergreen and flowers bloomed wherever its rays were cast.

Soon, the story of the wonderful jewel reached the West Goddess, who governed the West Heaven and she dispatched her army to steal the precious stone away.

The Jade Dragon and the Golden Phoenix struggled to take it back, only to be denied by the goddess. Ultimate, they fought fiercely for the jewel and the West Goddess was vanquished, leaving the jewel to tumble back to the earth.

The jade was transformed into a pearl-like lake, known today as the West Lake. Its fall was followed by that of the Jade Dragon and the Golden Phoenix, who became the Jade Dragon Mountain and the Phoenix Mountain. The two are now said to guard the shores of the West Lake forever.

In the eyes of poets

During the time of the Song Dynasty (960-1279AD), Su Dongpo, a renowned poet and one of the governors of Hangzhou, penned a poem in praise of the West Lake, celebrating its abiding charm that survives the change of the seasons in a year and the different hours of the day. He compared it to Xizi, a Chinese legendary beauty named Xishi and subsequently bestowed upon it a new name - the Xizi Lake.

As one of China's most renowned beauty spots, the West Lake is much loved by many Chinese and foreign celebrities. Chairman Mao is said to have come to visit the West Lake more than 40 times. Once he spent seven months in Hangzhou, which he considered his second home.

Tourists crowd along the Bai Causeway on West Lake of  Hangzhou,March. 8, 2009. Residents and tourists enjoyed  the beautiful spring view of West Lake and the warmth of  spring on Sunday.

Not only did Chairman Mao praise the West Lake, but also Richard Nixon, the former president of the US, found much to love about it. He came to Hangzhou twice and highly said that although Beijing is the capital of China, Hangzhou is its heart.

The West Lake today

The many stunning attractions along the banks of the West Lake, as well as the museums in the nearby city are now free of charge, giving everyone unfettered access to the lake and its environs.

In 2007, Hangzhou city launched the third session of its Ten Sites of the West Lake initiative. The prospective sites included 145 scenic areas that had been restored as part of a comprehensive protection project in 2002. Ultimately, the ten chosen sites included a Lingyin and a Buddhist monastery and their surrounding hills and gardens, the Yue Wang temple, a tomb and a memorial hall for Yue Fei, as well as another eight scenic spots.

The final choice proved that the West Lake is not only famous for its picturesque landscape but also for its long association with classical poets over thousands of years.