The name of the Broken Bridge originated in the Tang Dynasty. There are two explanations for the name, one says that the road of the Solitary Hill is broken (ends) here, hence the name; the other says, the bridge used to be called Duan’s Bridge and Duan is the homonym of the word “Broken” in Chinese.   

According to legend, the White Snake and Xu Xian entered into their thousand-year-old predestined love on the Broken Bridge, hence, the bridge is known as one of the three lovers’ bridges of West Lake. To requite his favor of saving its life in his previous life, the White Snake transformed into a beautiful lady and came across Xu Xian on the Broken Bridge in West Lake.

The misty rain of Jiangnan came unexpectedly and the White Snake and Xu Xian happened to take shelter from the rain in the same boat. Xu Xian gave his oil paper umbrella to the White Snake so that she could go home.

The oil paper umbrella is not big, but provides shelter for the White Snake; the Broken Bridge is not broken, but connects the fate of White Snake and Xu Xian. The story of the White Snake and Xu Xian started in this picture-postcard place.

“Lingering Snow on the Broken Bridge” is now one of the Top Ten Views of West Lake. Its scenery on winter days when the snow begins to melt is the most soul-stirring. The Solitary Hill and the Inner West Lake covered in the white snow are extraordinarily beautiful. Looking around the West Lake when the snow melts, you’ll see the lingering snow on the Broken Bridge is white as silver and the Solitary Hill is covered with mist and the lake water is mirror-like.