Hangzhou West Lake

West Lake is located to the west of Hangzhou, hence the name of " West Lake ". It is said that there are totally 36 "West Lakes "in China, the West Lake in Hangzhou is the most beautiful of 36 west lakes of the same name. It was a lagoon,once a small bay at the mouth of the Qiantang River. It was the sea mouth was blocked from the sea by river sediment to become a lake.
The lake has a circumference of 15 kilometers with an area of about six square kilometers. The pectacualr Solitary Hill Islets (Gushan) is above the water in the north section of the lake. It is bordered by hills on three sides. The Su Causeway goes roughly north and south and the Bai Causeway east and west. The lake has several parts called the Inner Lake, the Outer Lake, Yue Lake, West Inner Lake, and Small South Lake. There are three islands in the Outer Lake: Three Pools Refelcting the Moon, Mid-Lake Pavilion, and Lord Ruan's Mound.
Taking a boat tour to view the lake is strongly suggetsed. From the boat you have a nice view of the 7-storey Baochu Pagoda on the north ofthe lake. It is regarded as the highlight of the tour in Hangzhou - cruising on the lake. It's also much better to spend the night and then walk along the Lake at dusk or dawn