Hangzhou represents Paradise on Earth

In the eyes of the Chinese people, Hangzhou represents Paradise on Earth. This, owes much to the West Lake it has.

The West Lake in Hangzhou is like a scroll of traditional Chinese painting. It is enclosed by hills on three sides, and to the east, stretches a piece of low land where the city proper is located.

With an area of 5. 6 sqkms and a circumference of 12 kms, the lake boasts a layout that is quite charming: It has two man-made causeways, three islets and a natural island called the Solitary Hill.

The concording outlines of the hills around are silhouetted against a harmonious sky. In and around the lake, one can find beautiful parks, stone bridges, tropical trees, flowers as well as old temples and historical sites. Scenic, and always peaceful, the lake atrracts people all year round.

The biggest man-made island in the mid West Lake, the 'Three Pools Mirroring the Moon', also called 'A Small Fairyland', is one of the best ten views of the West Lake.

With 60% occupied by water, the 7- hectare fairyland was built in A. D. 1607 in the Ming Dynasty. It appears similar to the Chinese character. 'Ìï' (tian, a piece of land) with its walkways linked by willows pavilions and zigzag bridges, featuring a characteristic of 'An island within a lake and lakes within an island'.

The three stone pagodas located south of the islet were set in 1621. On moonlit night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, people seal the upper openings of the pagodas and bum candles inside, creating an image of 'the moon in the sky is one, and its image comes to be three on water surface' -- hence the islet's name.

The Best -Ten Views of the West Lake

. The Spring Dawn Round the Su Causeway . Viewing Fish in the Flowering Harbour . Orioles Singing in Ripples of Willows . Lotus in the Breeze at the Winery Yard . Leifeng Pagoda Standing in the Sunset . The Autumn Moon Over the Calm Lake . Three Pools Mirroring the Moon . Melting Snow Hanging Over the Broken Bridge . Night Bell Rolling Along the Southern Bank . Two Peaks Piercing Throough the Sky

The Best -Ten New Views of the West Lake

. A Bamboo-Lined Path Leading to Yunxi . The Rosy Clouds Flowing Down the Baoshi Hill . To Ask for Tea In the Dragon Well Village . The Heavenly Wind Upon the Wu Hill . To Dream of the Tiger-Pawing Spring ' Greenness Spouting From the Yellow Dragon's Mouth

misty Trees Along the Nine-Bend stream

. Sweet Osmenthus Raining in Manjuelong Valley . Ruan's Mound Encircled by Blueness . The Cloud Flying Over the Jade Emperor Hill Hangzhou is a renowned tea production site in China. The Dragon-Well green tea produced in Hangzhou with its special flavor, has been acclaimed as a superfine tea both at home and abroad.