The West Lake

The Icon of Hangzhou

The West Lake of this city is synonymous with tourism and a jackpot to the locals. Hangzhou I believe will not be what it is today without the lake.

From a mere 2 days stay, I could sense the importance of this lake and how the locals centralise activities connected to the lake.

Without a doubt the lake is beautiful engulfed by mystery and romance. Its clear waters on a natural setting exudes peace and quiet but at times corrupted by her cosntant flow of visitors.

At Hanzhiang square we were introduced to a waterfront exposure to the lake where pedestrians enjoy the lake from a different perspective.

We saw a floating restaurant resting on the banks ready to welcome her guests to a lavish treat... if they can afford of course.

Elsewhere the waterfront was packed with people even under the drizzling skies. China doesn't really need tourists from other lands... her stream of guests from her wide hinterland is enough for a self-sustaining tourist industry.

Coffee breaks and treats are a common sight along the front.

Besides small retailing efforts, some paintists gave the tourists other forms of fun.

On another time, we were taken to another facet of the lake...this time we were enticed into taking a cruise on the lake. This is renown exercise as many who make the trip to Hangzhou would come home not fulfilled without cruising around West Lake. Before embarking on the cruise we had to stroll around the grounds and perimeters of the park encircling the lake.

One of the spots brought to was the Fish Pond frequented by the emperor on his trip down South and I must really say that I was not impressed at all. Commercialisation has taken some toll as the pond was not clean and there were traces of garbage. Sorry to say the fishes in my pond back home look better fed and taken care of.

Yet the throng present made things unpleasant as there was much shuffling and pushing around...the Chinese tourists themselves were able to make the quota of visitors. Again I felt China does not need foreign tourists to get the economy going. There was simply too many people around. I casually asked the guide if there were any place with less crowd. It was tedious effort to mingle among so many people; simply exasperating to be exact.

The presence of blooms added colour to the walk and the temperate climate certainly allow the blooms to be at its best. It was therapeutic to see flowers amidst crowds and pushings.

After a twenty minute stroll, we finally were given the long awaited treat around the lake in an oriental-looking vessel.

Many were waiting for their turns but our veteran tour guide had our tickets booked early and soon we were on board the cruise.

It was a great feeling to be on the lake as we were told in detail of the different sections of the lake and the tale of the past emperors' fond adventures to the place. Apparently, the then emperor made about a total of 4 trips (I hope I am right) to Southern China (Jiang Nan) to taste of its good food, wine and beauties some of whom included Si Sze, Wang Chao Chuen and...

I have forgotten.

The cruise was a good change but we were surprised at the haze that hung around Hangzhou and her famous lake.

After a tour of the lake, we were next ushered into a museum that held memories and stories of past histories of Jiang Nan and the obvious efforts to preserve West Lake and her beauty. In one of the exhibits we saw how Japan, Korea and some Northern parts of China were constructing man-made lakes liken to the West Lake . There was intention to tap into a possible money-churning project just like what is happening to West Lake.

A model of West Lake was being constructed as we visited the place and people were watching at the effort.

A map to denote the various sections of the lake was hung for her audience to decipher.

The West Lake shot under the 4 seasons and the one in winter caught my attention most.




As we were there in summer, I wondered what it would be like in winter. The scenario shown reminds one of sadness and forlorn memories. The tour guide confirmed that whatever the season, West Lake would be visited somehow.

Perhaps the best thing that happened on this visit to China was the nightly show directed by Zhang Zhi Mou of "Crouching Tiger..." performed on the lake itself in the night. I have never seen anything like that. The girls and the dad were mesmerised from the beginning to the end.

Technology and creativity did wonders on the lake.

It was fortunate that the evening was dry though humid. But the crowd was already waiting eagerly for the show to begin. Many have heard of the splendour of the show; not surprising if it were connected to a man like Zhang whom I believe would not concede to mediocracy.

Based on the legend of the Lady White Snake, it told of a folklore of a thousand year snake being transformed into a human being and later to fall in love with a mortal man.

The love affair began with the courtship of the immortal and the mortal. But look at the display of colours and effective background.

There, the wedding scene in one of the lakeside Chinese Vessels.

Then there was this enhancement of play by fantastic ballet dancers in full armour of splendid colours and dancing steps.




These scenes say a zillion words. The change in mood and hues was on going and everyone was mesmerised by the quick change in scenery and dance. I have no words left to speak. Good.

The two main characters had parts to depict their love and feelings for each other. Even my banana daughters could decipher these acts of love wothout understanding anything else Chinese...my fault. No sufficient exposure to the Chinese ways and language.

This was a touching moment as the pair had to be separated; the mortal prohibited to be with the immortal who had to leave for the immortal world ; so said the legend.

Oh... so sad. It got the silly girls perhaps moaning a little as they wondered why cruelty was the rule of the day. That's life. Wake up.

The show on West Lake made our trip to Hangzhou worth the travelling.

I do not mind a second trip just for this show.

West Lake is the life line of Hangzhou.

You can fly Air Asia and arrive at the destination quite easily.

Wait for the zero fare call again from Air Asia.

Go see the show.

Out of the world.