West Lake (Xi Hu)

West Lake (西湖), also known as "Xi Hu" or "The Pearl of Hangzhou," is located in Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province. It is one of China's UNESCO World Heritage Sites under the name "The Cultural Landscape of West Lake in Hangzhou." The lake is surrounded by stunning cultural landmarks, including pagodas, Chinese pavilions, temples, traditional Chinese gardens, Japanese Zen gardens, and shrines, earning it the nickname "Heaven on Earth." Beyond its natural beauty, West Lake is also steeped in legendary tales. One of the most famous is the story of the White Snake Lady and her lover, which many may recognize from Chinese dramas. Another notable landmark is the Leifeng Pagoda, also known as "Thunder Peak Pagoda." According to legend, this pagoda was used by the monk Fahai to imprison the White Snake Lady after she summoned floods to inundate Hangzhou.