2008年3月18日 星期二

Hangzhou West Lake

Hangzhou West Lake: A Place of Magic and Mystery

At the heart of Hangzhou is a great wonder to behold: the famous West Lake. This beautiful lake has been a witness to several royalties from some dynasties back then, who flock to the lake for a retreat. It has also seen a number of battles – to which the West Lake is indeed a great trophy to have. There are so many poems written about it and historians always took note of this magnificent place that even the famous Marco Polo recorded it in his writings about its natural splendor. The place is seems so magical that even painters tried to capture the lake’s magic in their paintings.

There are a number of buildings that are built around the place, mostly pagodas that were erected during the imperial rule of Chinese dynasties. The “Three Pools Mirroring the Moon” is an enchanting sight at night, particularly at full moon. At the southern part of the lake, the “Six Harmonies Pagoda” is a great reminder of ancient China. The west of the lake shows the Lingyin Temple, a very old temple where the Buddhists use it for their retreat. There are even gardens around, many of which were left by old civilization. West Lake is truly a magical place that is worth visiting.