Expanding from West Lake, West Lake Scenic Spot is one of the top 10 national scenic locations with a total area of some 60 square kilometers. It is well-known for its historic and cultural heritage, as well as its enchanting gardens. Adjoined on three sides by lush mountains and streams, West Lake is blessed with a superb landscape year round, and has been listed as one of the candidates for World Heritage Sites.
10 Traditional and 10 New Scenes of the West Lake
The 10 Traditional Scenes of West Lake got their names from the landscape paintings associated with the Southern Song Dynasty. They are: 'Autumn Moon on Calm Lake', 'Spring Dawn at Su Causeway', 'Melting Snow at Broken Bridge', 'Sunset Glow Over Leifeng Hill', 'Evening Bell at Nanping Hill', 'Lotus in the Breeze in Quyuan Garden', 'Fish Pool at Huagang', 'Listening to Orioles Singing in the Willows', 'Three Pools Mirroring the Moon' and 'Two Peaks Piercing the Clouds'.
In 1985, over 100,000 visitors from both China and abroad, as well as native Hangzhou citizens, voted for 10 New Scenes of West Lake. They are: 'Tiger Running Spring and Lake of Dreams', 'Longjing Tea Plantation', 'Osmanthus Rain at Manlong Temple', 'Cloud-Shrouded Path in a Bamboo Grove', 'Green Trees in the Mist by the Nine Creeks', 'Circular Green at Ruandun Mound', 'Heavenly Wind Over the Wushan Mountain', 'Yellow Dragon Spitting Greenness', 'Jade Emperor Soaring Through the Clouds' and 'Precious Stone Bathed in Flowing Sunlight'.
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With a unique natural landscape including lakes, gorges, rivers, mountains, caves, springs and falls, as well as a rich history and mythology, the Fuchun River (Xin'an River) -Thousand Islets Lake region is as well-known as the other national treasure in Hangzhou. Its noted scenic attractions are Mt. Stork, Mt. Tongjun, Yaolin Wonderland, 'Drifting along Tianmu Creek', Lingqi Cave, Twin Pagodas and Thousand Islets Lake.
Tianmu Mountain Nature Reserve
The Tianmu Mountain Natural Reserve is thought of as the Kingdom of Giant Trees and a natural botanic garden. It consists of two mountain ranges, the West Tianmu Mountain and the East Tianmu Mountain. The highest peaks of the two ranges, which are set less than 15 kilometers from each other, soars to the heavens with the Fairy Zenith. The top of the West Tianmu Mountain is more than 1, 500 meters above sea level. This state-level natural reserve is famed for its 'Six Best' attractions of flying falls, precious stones, temples, soaring peaks, giant trees, tea and bamboo shoots. Thousand Islets Lake National Forest Park
Thousand Islets Lake National Forest Park is currently the largest national forest park in China. It got its name from the 1078 islets in the lake. Zhijiang National Tourist Resort Area
As one of the 11 state-level tourist resort areas sanctioned by the State Council, Zhijiang National Tourist Resort Area encompasses some 10 square-kilometers. The area hosts a number of diverse cultural elements, such as a Song Dynasty Town exploring the Chinese culture of the Southern Song Dynasty, the 'Future World' that focuses on high-tech and an international standard golf course.
Qianjiang Tidal Bore
Qiantang River flows into the East Sea by way of Hangzhou Bay, and the Qianjiang tidal bore is as famous as the Amazon tidal bore. Viewing the tidal bore of the Qiantang River has been a significant annual event for more than one thousand years. The 18th day of the eighth lunar month is regarded as the best time to view the gigantic wall of tidal wave . |
