Hangzhou: a true heaven on earth

Celebrated for its natural scenery and historic relics, Hangzhou has been one of the most renowned and prosperous cities in China for over 1,000 years...

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.

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.