Hangzhou is popular all over the world for its West Lake which is surrounded by many important historical sites. It is a well known saying that China has thirty-six West Lakes. But the most magnificent of them all they say is the one in Hangzhou. A section of the Qiantong River was cleaned and dammed around the 8th century in order to build this splendid lake that can be seen here today.

The West Lake Scenic Area occupies a region of about 60 square kilometres from which 5.6 square kilometres is occupied by the West Lake. Surrounded by trees and hills on three sides and the downtown area on one side this charming lake has two causeways which are Bai Causeway and Su causeway. These causeways separate the West Lake in to five main divisions. The biggest portion is identified as the Outer Lake which is bordered by the West Inner Lake, North Inner Lake, Lesser South Lake and Yuehu Lake.
 
The West Lake comes with an average depth of merely five feet and is believed to have been a much-loved imperial retreat.  Therefore, this amazing water wonderland is known to be a famous attraction since ancient times. Some of the Lake’s notable features include the man-made island positioned towards the south centre of the Outer Lake which is identified as the Island of Little Oceans. Between the Outer Lake and the north Inner Lake is the appealing Solitary Hill Island. Many noteworthy Chinese tourist attractions such as the Ling Yin Temple, Fei Lai Feng, The Mausoleum of General Yue Fei, Six Harmonies Pagoda and The National Silk Museum are located close to the West Lake Hangzhou. Hotel accommodation with exquisite facilities can be found at the Shangri La Hotel Hangzhou, a luxury hotel which is ideally located in the surroundings of this unparalleled site.