West Lake, Hangzhou: A Misty Lake, Paradise on Earth

Pushing aside the morning mist, West Lake unfolds like a slowly unfurling Song Dynasty painting. Its rippling waters carry a thousand years of cultural heritage, with every wave holding a story. Su Dongpo once dredged the silt here to build the long embankment; the legendary love story of Bai Niangzi and Xu Xian played out on the Broken Bridge; even Marco Polo marveled, calling it “the most beautiful and splendid city in the world.”

When mentioning Hangzhou, one cannot overlook the fairy-tale-like West Lake. The city’s most gentle and tender side is hidden within its shimmering waters and surrounding mountains. As a World Cultural Heritage site, West Lake captivates generations of travelers with its charm, where subtle beauty and grandeur coexist in perfect harmony. Today, join me in exploring West Lake and embark on an impromptu journey through Jiangnan.

West Lake is surrounded by mountains on three sides and faces the city on the fourth, with its “Three Islands and Three Causeways” forming a natural painting. Its beauty lies not only in nature but also in culture. The most famous are the “Ten Scenes of West Lake”:

Broken Bridge in Snow | Spring Dawn on Su Causeway | Lotus in the Breeze at Crooked Courtyard | Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake | Sunset at Leifeng Pagoda
Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor | Three Pools Mirroring the Moon | Orioles Singing in the Willows | Evening Bell at Nanping Hill | Twin Peaks Piercing the Clouds

Strolling along the lakeside at dawn, shaded by the plane trees of Yang Gong Causeway, one can glimpse old villas from the Republic era nestled in the greenery, with the occasional squirrel leaping across the branches. Turning into Crooked Courtyard with Lotus in the Breeze, the site of a Southern Song royal brewery is now a vast expanse of lotus leaves stretching to the horizon. As dusk falls, the water reflects the gradually lighting lamps. Some say that West Lake is the shared spiritual homeland of the Chinese people.

Longjing Village, located on the southwestern foothills of West Lake, is Hangzhou’s most fragrant and picturesque tea haven. Nestled among mountains and waters, with terraced tea gardens stretching as far as the eye can see, the air is filled with the fresh aroma of tea. It is the original home of the famous “West Lake Longjing” tea.

Visitors can enjoy tea and scenery at local tea farmers’ homes, experience the joy of picking and processing tea, and immerse themselves in the unique charm of Jiangnan tea culture. Just a 20-minute drive from the main West Lake attractions, Longjing Village is an ideal stop after visiting Su Causeway or Flower Harbor. Stepping into Longjing is not only entering a verdant mountain village but also walking into a serene and leisurely painting of life. For those seeking tranquility and the fresh scent of tea beyond West Lake, Longjing Village is unmissable.

Here, every lotus leaf holds the dewdrops of Tang poems, and every cobblestone carries the rhyme of Song lyrics. If a light drizzle falls, you might take shelter in a lakeside teahouse, brew a cup of pre-Qingming Longjing tea with water from Tiger Spring, and watch the misty waters and painted boats outside the window—it feels like stepping into a living painting.

Whether traveling with family or friends, we can tailor a visa plan just for you! Start your Shanghai journey now! 🎉

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