West Lake, in Chinese is Xi Hu, literal meaning West Lake, is famous for its 10 Scenic Spots and unique culture. There are many lakes called West Lake but none of them can compare with the West Lake in Hangzhou. The popular saying that “Of the thirty-six West Lakes east or west, the West Lake in Hangzhou is the best" is a powerful evidence.

Situated in west of Hangzhou city, in Zhejiang province, West Lake embraced by hills on three sides , covering an area of 6.5 square kilometers with 3.2kilometers in length, 2.8kilometers in width and 2.27meters in depth. West Lake not only is reputed to his 10scenic Spots but also linked with many scholars such as Su Shi, also known as Su Dongpo and Yang Wanli. The world famous 10 Scenic Spots are: Dawn on the Su Causeway in Spring, Curved Yard and Lotus Pool in Summer, Moon over the Peaceful Lake in Autumn, Remnant Snow on the Bridge in Winter, Leifeng Pagoda in the Sunset, Two Peaks Piercing the Clouds, Orioles Singing in the Willows, Fish Viewing at the Flower Pond, Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon, Evening Bell Ringing at the Nanping Hill. From above you will find that you can enjoy different beautiful scenery of West Lake vary from the four seasons. Of the 10 Scenic Stops, Dawn on the Su Causeway in spring is on the top of the list. In the beginning of Song Dynasty, the great poet Su Shi was dispatched to Hangzhou as the governors. Because of overgrowth of the weeds at the bottom of the lake clogging the irrigation ducts, the farmer suffered drought. He ordered dredging of the lake and piled up all the mud into another causeway, in the style of Bai Causeway, but much wider and nearly three times as long, he also planted willow trees along its banks. This causeway was later named after him as the Su Causeway. There are six bridges along the 2.6 km Su Causeway. There is a kind of featured food associated with Su Shi, Dongpo Pork which deserve to taste.

Speaking of the unique food of Hangzhou such as Dongpo Pork, Beggar's Chicken and West Lake Fish in Sweet Sour Source, I can’t help to introducing the Chinese unique tea culture. Tea drinking, as a popular custom in China, was also prosperous in the Tang and Song Dynasty. Hangzhou is one of the birthplaces of Chinese tea culture. Longjing Tea garden in West Lake is an outstanding model of the perfect combination of human and nature. When visiting West Lake, tourists can enjoy the beautiful scenery while they tasting the famous Longjing Tea. This will be an efficient way to feel the great Chinese culture. Besides the food and tea, you must be interested in Chinese silk and Hangzhou fan. Qipao, a kind of Chinese-style dress that made of silk is traditional and representative Chinese costume. It is also a symbol of Chinese Culture.

At present, boating on the lake is a popular entertainment. It is said that, there are more than hundreds of boats in the lake. All are delicately built, with exquisite carving and decorations, gliding gracefully on the water must be very pleasant. Poet Lin Sheng vividly described the ostentation in his poem "On a hotel wall in Lin'an". In addition, in poem "Coming out of Jingci Temple at dawn to see Lin Zifang off", poet Yang Wanli also acclaimed the charming scenery of West Lake.

West Lake is not only reputed to its picturesque landscape but storage of representative traditional Chinese culture. It is a must-be scenic sites when you visit to China.