Wonders of West Lake

Wonders of West Lake

A famous poem that says, "Of all the lakes, north, south, east and west, the one at West Lake is the best." Why? Because this ancient man-made lake casts the mold for scores of manicured lakes across China. Start exploring where Pinghai Road meets Harbin Road in the northeastern part of the lake. There's a fabulous boardwalk with weeping willows, restaurants, and a lakeside teahouse.

Wending north, you can cross the street to ascend a small hill capped with the Baochu Pagoda. Here, the views of West Lake are some of the best in the city. Once you climb down, you can venture to the Baidi and Sudi Causeways, through the middle of the lake. Don't miss the classical Lingyin Temple, nestled in the nearby hills.

Take a guided boat from the southern shore by night, when the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon pagoda is alight. This stone pagoda has six incised circles. When candles are set inside them, the light appears as romantic moons.