The West Lake is located in the historic center of Hangzhou, in Zhejiang province of eastern China, undoubtedly the most renowned feature of Hangzhou, noted for the scenic beauty that blends naturally with many famous historical and cultural sites.
The West Lake Scenic Area Covers an area of 60 square kilometers, out of which the West Lake occupies 6 square kilometers with 3.2 kilometers from north to south and 2.8 kilometers from west to east.
The lake has a circumference of 15 kilometers and the average depth of the West Lake is 2.27 meters, and the capacity is about 14,290,000 cubic meters. It is surrounded by mountains on three sides, with an area of around 6.5 square kilometers.
The lake is divided by Gu Shan, Bai, Su and Yanggong Causeways into five areas; these sections are known as Outer Lake (Wai Hu) the largest of all, North Inner Lake (Beili Hu), West Inner Lake (Xili Hu), South Lake (Xiaonan Hu), and Lake Yue (Yue Hu).
There are also four islands: Gushan, Xiao Yingzhou, Ruangongdun and Huxinting (Mid-Lake Pavilion). The islands Xiao Yingzhou and its both smaller sisters Huxinting and Ruangongdun have also been artificially created, in similar fashion to the two dams and the lake in general, whereby Xiao Yingzhou (little paradise island) was planned to resemble the form of a wheel, arousing the impression of a “lake within the lake”.
On the south end of the Xiao Yingzhou Island (Island of Little Oceans), you can see three stone pagodas on the lake. Within the island are four small lakes. It is here that people can view the famous Three Pools Mirroring the Moon in the evenings when the candles are lit.
Two famous dams divide the west lake into three parts. The Su-dam which was erected by the Song-poet Su Dongpo and is well-known for its six fabulously decorated bridges, which even were exactly copied to decorate the Summer Palace of Beijing.
The other dam, on the northwest side of the West Lake, is named after Bai Juyi (also a poet) and called Bai-dam (Bai-Di). It has been built some time earlier than the other one, namely at times of the Tang-Dynasty.
West Lake also provides a sanctuary for many different types of bird which nest on the many islets on it so take a pair of binoculars to get close up to the action.
West Lake is not only famous for its picturesque landscape, it is also associated with many scholars, national heroes and revolutionary martyrs, thus embracing many aspects of Chinese culture.
In ancient times, this place had been a shallow sea gulf before it becomes into a residual lake.
A legend says that once a dragon and a Phoenix argued about a pearl, causing it finally to fell on earth where it transformed into the west lake. However, it has it real origins dating back to the time of Tang-dynasty, where it was initially the bay of the Quian Tang river, which then was separated from the river by human hand and dug out to its present average depth of 1,5-2 m.
The Baidi and Sudi causeways provide access to many parts of the lake. Most of the best known tourist sites lie around and within the lake. In addition, many ancient buildings, stone caves and engraved tablets in surrounding areas are among the most cherished national treasures of China, with significant artistic value.
In 2006, it was named a national tourist resort. It offers visitors a variety of wonderful things to experience. For good reasons, swimming in the west lake is forbidden. Therefore, one can only reach the islands by boat.
People and tourists can come near the West Lake and take one of the traditional West-Lake-boats led by a rower.