West Lake, also known as Xihu and by other names, is a freshwater lake in Hangzhou, China. Situated to the west of Hangzhou's former walled city, the lake has a surface area of 6.39 km2, stretching 3.
West Lake, Hangzhou 2025
Su Shi's Verse on West Lake by Zhao Mengfu in 1320
West Lake by Japanese painter Tomita Keisen (1909), with a tribute to Bai Juyi in the writing
Scenic Attractions of West Lake (c. 14th century)
The Legend of the White Snake is a Chinese legend centered around a romance between a man named Xu Xian and a female snake spirit named Bai Suzhen. It is counted as one of China's Four Great Folktales
West Lake
…Zhejiang Library. Leifeng Pagoda (雷峰塔), originally built in 975, is located on Sunset Hill. According to local tales, it plays a central role in the legend of the White Snake. Leifeng Pagoda was rebuilt in 2002 after the original structure collapsed in 1924, and it remains a popular tourist spot with stunning views of the…
Image from the Summer Palace, Beijing, China, depicting the legend
The three stone pagodas of West Lake.
An illustration from Stories to Caution the World (1624).
An illustration from Leifeng Pagoda (1806).