The West Lake Scenic Area

(Image source: www.hzwestlake.gov.cn)

The beauty of Hangzhou lies in the West Lake.

The West Lake is flourishing as it’s located in Hanghou; while Hangzhou is renowned for the beautiful West Lake. In ancient times, just as the poem said, “an Among the 36 west lake in the world, Hangzhou West Lake is the most attractive one”. The West Lake Scenic Area, centered in the West Lake, ranks as one of national parks of China firstly announced by the State Council; and it’s also one of the first top ten civilized scenic spots of China and National AAAAA tourist attraction. Surrounded by the mountains and filled with clear water, it has an area of about 60 km2, of which the lake occupies 6.5 km2.

On June 24, 2011, “Hangzhou West Lake Cultural Landscape” was listed in the World Heritage List in the 35th World Heritage Meeting. “Hangzhou West Lake Cultural Landscape” is mainly composed by the 6 elements: natural landscape distributed in the area of 3322.88 hectares, with the features of city integrated with lake, i.e. “mountains in three sides and city in one side”, landscape pattern of “Two dikes and three islands”, the titled landscape of “Ten Views of the West Lake”, the cultural relics and the characteristic plants. The landscape was formed in 9th century, shaped in 13th century, prospered in 18th century and developed till now. And the landscape has become better gradually in the process of continuous change through over 10 centuries, thus turning into the “distinguished oriental cultural lake” with abundant landscape elements, unique design, long history and profound culture. It’s a remarkable model that the Chinese cultural elites of the past upheld the Chinese landscape aesthetics theory of “unity of heaven and man” and “to abandon oneself to nature”, which displays the artistic style of “idyllic beauty” which has been emphasized by the oriental landscape design from the South Song Dynasty (1127-1279). Furthermore, it possesses a significant position in the history of world landscape design and sees the development and inheritance of the ancient cultures and traditions such as Buddhist culture, Taoist culture, and loyalty and filial piety, hermitage, book collection and the study of sealing, which have lasted till now.

The beauty of the West Lake lies in its picturesque and poetic landscape of lakes and mountains.

The green trees surround the lake and make the mountain verdant; the bridge and the soft willows accompany with each other. In the mountains, there are lovely spring and serene streams. Among the 100 parks of various features, there is the landscape of sweet osmanthus in autumn, the willows on the Liuqiao Bridge, the chamaecyparis pisifera and lotuses. And even more, the “Ten Views of the West Lake” and the “New Ten Views of the West Lake”, as well as the “Ten Views of the West Lake elected after three times”. All of those beautiful views gathered together and makes the West Lake a colorful garland, which allows it to show different scenery in different seasons or weathers.

The beauty of the West Lake lies in the perfect integration of landscape with culture.

The West Lake has not only the graceful natural landscapes, but also plentiful moving legends and story of the cultural relics, which combines the nature, culture, history and art skillfully. The historical and cultural relics gather together and spread around the West Lake. Currently, there are more than 60 national, provincial, and city-level Key Cultural Relics Protection Sites, as well as over 20 museums (memorial halls) sparkling with glamorous shine. As a well-known historical and cultural tourist attraction, it may receive annual domestic and international tourists of more than 30 million.

The beauty of the West Lake lies in people’s care for it and inheritance of the historical culture.

To make the West Lake, the pearl in paradise, more gorgeous and dazzling, since 2000, Hangzhou municipal Party committee and government made a great decision to implement the policy of comprehensive protection to the West Lake. For 6 years, the projects include the south route of the West Lake Scenic Area, the Scenic Spot of Yanggongdi, new lakeside scenic spot, tea culture village of Meijiawu, historical and cultural district of Beishan Street, Two causeways and three islands scenic spot, Longjin Tea cultural scenic spot, new Lingyin Scenic Spot, new Wushan Scenic Spot, Korean temple and Bagua field relics park was also established. And more than 150 historical and cultural scenic spots were rebuilt and restored. In addition, the park sites and museums along the lake can be visited free of charge. The panorama of “one lake, two pagodas, three islands and three causeways” came back to people’s eyes, thus the new pattern of “warm east, prosperous south, quite west, elegant north and bright center” was formed generally, which show the tourists the charming style of interactive tradition and modernization, as well as the inclusive perseverance and openness of the flourishing lake.