Night View of West Lake in Hangzhou

Hangzhou is the most beautiful garden city in China. The West Lake is the illustrious drawcard in Hangzhou. Walking on the edge of the West Lake in the early morning gives you much serenity while an evening stroll allows you to enjoy a casino-like wonderland.

Normally the West Lake will be lit up on weekend evenings from Friday through Sunday, a great time to appreciate the beauty of the West Lake when it sparkles. You will have a lot of photography opportunity and at the same time you should prepare for possible crowds and people watch due to a lot of foot traffic.

The best night view of the West Lake starts from Beishan Road ( the northern edge of the West Lake ) through the east side of the lake which is adjacent to the city.

Visiting the West Lake is the highlight on your Hangzhou tour. Now follow me to have a night view of the West Lake. The night view starts from Beishan Road on the northern edge of the West Lake, below the Precious Stone Hill toppled by the spire of Baoshu Pagoda.

Beishan Road is lined with the plane trees, which arch across the street. Some old houses have been revamped and turned into trendy and fashionable bars and cafes.

Beishan Road at night
Beishan Road at night

Standing on Beishan Road, you have a good angle to grab a photo of the stone arched bridge – romantically known as “Lingering Snow on the Broken Bridge”.

Lingering Snow on the Broken Bridge at night
Lingering Snow on the Broken Bridge at night

Inside the pavilion, local people are having an impromptu singing, a great fun to relax and unwind.

Inside the pavilion by the bridge, local people have impromptu singing each night just for a fun.
Inside the pavilion by the bridge, local people have impromptu singing each night just for a fun.

Standing on the top of the lingering Snow on the Broken Bridge, you will see Baoshu Pagoda atop the Precious Stone Hill above Beishan Road with its reflection on the water.

Baoshu Pagoda atop the Precious Stone Hill with its reflection on the water
Baoshu Pagoda atop the Precious Stone Hill with its reflection on the water

The buildings on the east side of the lake with their reflections on the water.

The buildings on the east side of the lake with their reflections on the water.
The buildings on the east side of the lake with their reflections on the water.

The night of the West Lake kindles a kind of romance.

The night of the West Lake kindles a kind of romance
The night of the West Lake kindles a kind of romance

At 7:30 pm, I see the musical water fountains by the east shoreline of the lake. There over 400 small fountains in the musical fountains system with nozzles sending beautiful patterns of water which are choreographed to music. Each water musical fountains show takes about 15 minutes with over 14 songs or music. Musical Fountains in Hangzhou attracts large crowds each night.

The musical fountains
The musical fountains

It is relaxing and unwind to have a stroll along the lake.

It is relaxing and unwind to have a stroll along the lake
It is relaxing and unwind to have a stroll along the lake

Take a break for a cup of coffee or tea in a lake side open-air restaurant.

Take a break for a cup of coffee or tea in a lake side open-air restaurant.
Take a break for a cup of coffee or tea in a lake side open-air restaurant.

Sitting on a bench, chatting and looking at the glistening waters with comfy breeze.

Sitting on a bench, chatting
Sitting on a bench, chatting

Lit trees and Jixian Pagoda

Lit Trees and Jixian Pagoda
Lit Trees and Jixian Pagoda

Have a close-up view of Jixian Pagoda protruding into the water.

a close-up view of Jixian Pagoda protruding into the water
a close-up view of Jixian Pagoda protruding into the water

A zigzag cement bridge with a better view of the lake

A zigzag cement bridge with a better view of the lake
A zigzag cement bridge with a better view of the lake

A lit pavilion by the lake

A lit pavilion by the lake
A lit pavilion by the lake

Tip:  Hassle-free Hangzhou Guided Tours

If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours, here are some options for Hangzhou Guided Tours:

Hangzhou Tour
Hangzhou 4-Day Tour Package
Hangzhou 3-Day Tour Package
Hangzhou Private Tour
Hangzhou Theme Tour
Hangzhou Side Trips
Hangzhou Car Rental with Driver

Further Readings


Top 10 Attractions in Hangzhou
Top 10 Photography Spots in Hangzhou
Night View of West Lake in Hangzhou
The Best hiking trail in Hangzhou
The best time to visit Hangzhou
Hangzhou East Railway Station
Hangzhou Airport Arrival Hall
How to Visit Feilai Peak Grottoes in Hangzhou
Where to stay in Hangzhou
Hangzhou Bicycle Hire
Wushan Night Market in Hangzhou
Pedestrian Streets in Hangzhou
Hangzhou’s Best Bars & Nightclubs
Best Way to Visit Hangzhou from Shanghai
How to Visit Grand Canal Hangzhou
How to Visit Xiling Seal Engravers’ Society
How to Visit Liuhe Pagoda
Hangzhou Tea Plantation
How to Visit Leifeng Pagoda
How to visit Hupao Spring (Tiger Spring) Hangzhou
How to Visit Yellow Dragon Cave in Hangzhou
The Best Place to View Sunrise over West Lake Hangzhou

Any question, just drop a line.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.