Is there a place in Hangzhou where people can enjoy spring and ascend high to feast on great views? Six places in the West Lake Scenic Area are sorted out for you to have a panoramic view of West Lake.
Jiuyao Hill
九曜山
Jiuyao Hill is not high, only slightly over 200 meters, but its mountain paths extend in all directions. For example, there is a path leading to Hupao (虎跑) in the southwest and there is a path leading to the mountainside of Jade Emperor (Yuhuang) Mountain (玉皇山) in the south. You can choose one at your will.
Looking far into the distance from the mountain top, you will get the “two causeways and three islets” layout of West Lake at just a glance. You can also get a clear view of attractions like Su Causeway (苏堤), Little Yingzhou (小瀛洲), Ruangong Islet (阮公墩), Mid-Lake Pavilion (湖心亭), and Viewing Fish at Flower Pond (花港观鱼).
Looking to the east, you will see Leifeng Pagoda towering impressively; looking to the north, you will see Jihong Bridge (霁虹桥) in Yuhu Bay (浴鹄湾) standing out; and looking to the west, you will see verdant mountains surrounding West Lake.
There is a sightseeing platform on the south side of Jiuyao Tower (九曜阁), which is the highest point of Jiuyao Hill where you can overlook Qiantang River.
Luotuo (Camel) Hill
骆驼峰
Luotuo Hill is also called Black Stone Hill for the color of the stones on the top of the mountain is black. The stone platform at the highest point of Luotuo Hill is a vantage point to overlook West Lake. Su Causeway and Yudai (Jade Belt) Bridge (玉带桥) can be clearly seen.
Although sheltered by trees, it is still a great place to enjoy a panorama of West Lake. You can command a panoramic view of the three islets in the lake, Little Yingzhou, Ruangong Islet, and Mid-Lake Pavilion, Leifeng Pagoda and Jiuyao Mountain on the opposite shore as well as Chenghuang Tower. There is another highlight about the place, that is, it offers an extremely good angle to view Su Causeway.
Precious Stone Hill
宝石山
There are many great places to have a panoramic view of Bai Causeway and Precious Stone Hill is one of the best-known ones. Precious Stone Hill is located on the northern shore of the North Inner Lake of West Lake. The hill is composed of rhyolite and tuff rocks. The stones are reddish-brown and shine brilliantly in the bright sunshine like pieces of jade and agate, hence the name, Precious Stone Hill. The view was renamed “Precious Stone Hill Floating in Rosy Clouds” in the selection of new top views of West Lake.
Northern Peak
北高峰
The Northern Peak offers many mountain hiking options. If you live in the west part of the city, you can go up the mountain from Jiangjun Mountain (将军山); You can also choose to start the climbing from Laohe Mountain (老和山) at the back of Zhejiang University and go all the way to Meijiawu and then down the mountain; You can also ascend the mountain from the path near the bus stop of Laodongyue (老东岳) where there is a big sign reading Fahua Temple (法华寺). The path passes Fahua Temple to the mountain top and descends to Lingyin Temple.
The paths up the mountain are flanked by lush green trees. Looking far into the distance from the mountain top, you will see the grand view of West Lake surrounded by cloud-shrouded mountains on three sides, as well as the majestic Qiantang River.
China National Tea Museum, Longjing Branch
中国茶叶博物馆龙井馆区
China National Tea Museum, Longjing Branch is located in between Wengjiashan Village (翁家山村) and Longjing Village (龙井村), the two highest villages in West Lake, on Longjing Road.
In the design of Longjing Branch, the original plants and the overall appearance of the mountains and rocks are preserved as much as possible. The entire museum is constructed on the top of Longjing Mountain that features a typical karst landscape according to the steep mountain landscape. Well-proportioned and high and low stone steps run through the museum. So to tour the museum, you must climb the mountain.
The Tea Altar offers the best view in the entire museum area. Here, you can overlook West Lake and the surrounding tea mountains from a distance. The view is very broad.
Wushan Hill
吴山
Chenghuang Tower (城隍阁) in Wushan Hill enjoys an advantageous location. Looking far into the distance from the 4th floor of the tower, you will see the most complete and clear view of West Lake’s “two causeways and three islets” layout from the southeast corner of West Lake, as well as Qiantang River.
The ticket to Chenghuang Tower is 30 yuan. Besides, there is Jiang Hu Hui Guang Pavilion (simplified Chinese: 江湖汇观亭; literal meaning: River and Lake Converging Sightseeing Pavilion), which is free and offers not only the breathtaking views of West Lake, but also a glimpse of Qiantang River. The place is where Qiantang River and West Lake “converge”, hence the name.