Among the thirty-six West Lakes in the world, Hangzhou is the most beautiful. As the culmination of the charm of Jiangnan, the ten scenic spots of West Lake conceal the poetic essence that has been circulating for thousands of years in the changing seasons. This article will take you on an immersive check-in journey to unlock the best gameplay and hidden stories. If you have any questions or would like to customize your trip, please contact us!
1. Sudi Chunxiao: A Poetic Long Embankment Through the Northern Song Dynasty
Historical imprint:
Su Shi of the Northern Song Dynasty dredged West Lake and built a 2.8-kilometer long embankment with lake mud. Six stone bridges connected the north and south mountain views, and the poet's figure could be seen in the midst of peach blossoms, willows, and greenery.
Experience highlights:
● Riding in the morning mist: Rent a bicycle and cross to the third bridge "Wangshan Bridge", where the lush greenery of Dingjia Mountain intertwines with the mist on the lake like ink paintings.
● Exploring the Ancient Bridge: The "Su Causeway Spring Dawn" Stele Pavilion, spanning the banks of the Hongqiao Bridge, is the historical coordinates inscribed by Emperor Kangxi.
● Tips： On spring mornings from 6 to 8 o'clock, there are few tourists and the light is the softest.
2. Quyuan Fenghe: Summer Coolness in the Fragrance of Wine
Cultural origin:
The official brewing workshop of the Southern Song Dynasty took water from the Jinsha River to make qu, and the lotus flowers in the pool combined with the aroma of wine to create the magnificent scenery of "Quyuan Lotus Wind".
Immersive gameplay:
● Hejian tea Gathering: Order a pot of West Lake Longjing tea in the tea room by Jiuqu Bridge, and watch dragonflies break through the glass on the water surface.
● Night tour Secret Realm: After 19:00 in summer, lotus flowers close in the twilight, and the evening breeze brings the last ray of fragrance.
● Cold knowledge: The "Quyuan Fenghe" monument by the bridge is a replica reconstructed during the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty.
3. Pinghu Autumn Moon: Royal Moon Viewing Sanctuary
Landscape pattern:
The "one courtyard, one floor, one monument, and one pavilion" at the southern foot of Gushan Mountain fully preserves the imperial moon viewing ceremony system of the Qing Dynasty.
Ritual gameplay:
● Mid Autumn Festival Banquet: Book in advance the elegant seats at Lake Sky One Blue Tower to recreate the atmosphere of "cold moon, cold spring unable to flow".
● Light and Shadow Game: On the night of a full moon, the Bai Causeway Road lights will cast "broken jade" light spots on the lake surface.
● Data control: The probability of sunny weather in autumn is 78%, and the best viewing period is from September 15th to October 15th.
4. Broken Bridge and Remaining Snow: A Dual Metaphor of Love and Snow Scenery
Legend decoding:
The scene in "The Legend of the White Snake" where Xu Xian borrowed an umbrella made Broken Bridge a totem of Eastern love.
Photography Guide:
● Golden hour after snow: From 7am to 8am, the snow on the bridge area has not melted, and the background of Baochu Pagoda and the rime on the lake surface complement each other into a painting.
● Long focus composition: use a 200mm lens to compress the sense of space between wutong and Broken Bridge on Beishan Street.
● Scientific revelation: The limestone on the bridge deck conducts heat quickly, and the snow melts earlier than on both sides, forming a "broken bridge" spectacle.
5. Fish Watching at Flower Harbor: A Breathing Garden
Design philosophy:
During the reconstruction by Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty, the technique of "hidden scenery" was introduced, with the winding red fish pond resembling a Tai Chi diagram, and the flowers and trees throughout the four seasons blending seamlessly with the Five Elements.
Parent child strategy:
● Fish feeding interaction: Purchase special fish food (5 yuan/pack) and watch the golden scaled red fish jump out of the water to compete for food.
● Plant Exploration: Searching for the "Centennial Peony King" in the Peony Garden, with a crown width of 3 meters when it blooms in April.
● Easter egg: Hidden in the dense forest is a stone carving inscribed by Emperor Qianlong with the words "Flower with Fish Body, Fish Sucking on Flowers".
6. Liulang Wenying: The Sound and Landscape Art of the Southern Song Dynasty Imperial Garden
Acoustic design:
The layout of the garden conforms to the principle of sound wave reflection, and the singing of the oriole produces natural reverberation among the willow waves.
Sensory experience:
● Listening to bird songs in the morning: The peak of bird activity is from 5-7 o'clock, and mobile phone recording can capture more than 10 bird songs.
● Watching Fireflies at Night: After the summer rain, groups of fireflies occasionally dance in the willow forest.
● Historical fragments: The "Japan China No More War Monument" in the park records the friendly history between the Chinese and Japanese people.
7. San Tan Yin Yue: The Mystery Behind the One Yuan Paper Currency
Landscape design code:
Three stone towers form an equilateral triangle, and the five holes in the tower's belly form a "moonlight matrix" with moonlight, candlelight, and firelight.
Island exploration guide:
● Night boat tour: After 18:30, take the painted boat and you can see the LED lights inside the tower shining brightly with the real moon.
● Paper currency comparison: Take a one yuan paper currency and find the best shooting angle in the "Pavilion Pavilion".
● Cold knowledge: The pedestal of the stone pagoda contains a stone carving of Su Dongpo's "Merit Book" for dredging West Lake 800 years ago.
8. Twin Peaks in Clouds: The Secret of Mountains and Waters in Clouds and Mists
Geographical mystery:
The South Peak and North Peak form a "natural frame", with a probability of only 12% for cloudy and foggy weather.
Mountaineering Guide:
● Cable car perspective: When the cable car rises from the North Peak, overlooking the tea garden is like green piano keys.
● Observation on foggy days: From March to May every year, after rain in the early morning, the Hongchunqiao scenic spot is prone to the strange scenery of "twin peaks with greenery".
● Cultural Easter Egg: Inside the Kangxi Imperial Stele Pavilion, the inscriptions are written in three languages: Manchu, Han, and Mongolian.
9. Leifeng Sunset: Aesthetic Rebirth on Ruins
Architectural philosophy:
The new tower adopts an antique steel structure, and the tower brake is made of pure copper and gilded, weighing 2 tons.
Chasing the Light Strategy:
● Golden Moment: 15 minutes before sunset, the tower shadow and sunset create a "golden foil road" on the lake surface.
● Night view stargazing: After 20:00, the tower lights up, which is an excellent prospect for shooting star orbits.
● Controversy point: Should the new tower be built? The reconstruction in 2002 sparked a debate over authenticity.
10. Nanping Evening Bell: Zen Intent in Sound Waves
Acoustic Miracle:
The bronze bell weighs 10000 pounds, and sound waves create a 7-second afterglow in the valley.
Ritual Experience:
● Bell ringing prayer: During the evening class at Jingci Temple (17:30), you can ring the bell 108 times with the monks.
● Bell recording: Use your phone to record the sound of the bell, and play white noise in the background to generate ASMR audio.
● Cold knowledge: The range of bell propagation reaches 3 kilometers, and residents of Nanshan Road often use this to calibrate their clocks.
The Ten Scenic Spots of West Lake are the collusion of time and nature, and are love letters written by literati to Hangzhou. From the peach blossom of Sudi to the bell ringing of Nanping, every scenic spot is the password to unlock Jiangnan. Suggest reserving 3 days for an in-depth tour: check-in at the classic six scenic spots on the first day, visit Shuangfeng and Santan on the second day, and finally end with the sunset at Leifeng Pagoda. Remember to bring 'Dream of West Lake' and a wide-angle lens to slow down your steps and let the story flow into your heart.
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