Xian Chengdu Hangzhou Suzhou Shanghai Trip
April 12, 2008. This morning we ascended Leifeng Pagoda to have a panoramic view of the West Lake in Hangzhou. Later we took a boat ride on the West lake. Lei Feng pagoda was built in 975, by the King of Wuyue Kingdom to celebrate the birth of a son. Since its contruction, it got many names. But only Leifeng Pagoda is kept alive. The pagoda became a household name in China mainl due to the popular love story - "The Legend of the White Snake" about a girl ( a snake changed girl and a young man ). The story has been repeatedly adapted for traditional operas, modern movies and TV series. It was a cloudy today. We couldn't see far from the Pagoda. But people were not disappointed. As Su Shi, an famous poet of the Song Dynasty (960-1279), wrote in his peom, he likened the West Lake to Xi Shi, a famous beauty in ancient times "Rippling water shimmers on a sunny day; misty mountains are wonderful in the rainy day. Just like Xi Shi, the West Lake is always attractive." As Su described in his poem, the beauty of the West Lake survives the change of seasons, weather, and times of day. The boating on the West Lake was the highlight tour program today.
Circled on its three sides by rolling, green mountains, the West Lake covers an area of 5.65 square kilometers. Xiaoyingzhou, Huxinting, and Ruangongdun Islets look like three gems lying the lake's surface; and the Su and Bai Causeways are like floating ribbons with green willows. All these elements form a beautiful landscape painting; and travelers feel as if they are inside the painting.
Climbing up Leifeng Pagoda
Under the new Leifeng Pagoda is the relics of the old Leifeng Pagoda
A close look at the new Leifeng Pagoda
View from the top of the pagoda
View from the top
Walking along the West Lake
Around the West Lake
Waiting for the boat
The dragon boat the West Lake cruising
Leifeng Pagoda viewed from our boat on the lake
The Su Causeway
Boating on the West Lake
Su Causeway
three pools mirroring the moon west lake - the name of the largest of the of three islands in the West Lake
Walking along the lake
By the lake
By the lake
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