West Lake, located in Xihu District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, is a national 5A-level tourist attraction and one of the first batch of national key scenic spots in China. It is famous at home and abroad for its beautiful lake and mountain scenery and numerous historical sites, and is known as "paradise on earth".
Main Attractions
Su Causeway in Spring Dawn: A long causeway built by Su Shi, a great literary figure of the Northern Song Dynasty, during his tenure as governor of Hangzhou. Dredged from West Lake and constructed with silt, it stretches nearly 3 kilometers and features six bridges. In spring, strolling along the causeway, one is greeted by willows swaying in the breeze and peach blossoms in full bloom, making it the first of the "Ten Scenes of West Lake."
Broken Bridge in Lingering Snow: Located at the eastern end of Bai Causeway, it is famous as the site where Xu Xian and Bai Niangzi met in the Chinese folk love legend "The Legend of the White Snake." The bridge is not actually broken; rather, after a winter snowfall, the snow melts on the sunny side while the shady side remains covered in snow, creating the illusion of a broken bridge from above, hence the name.
Leifeng Pagoda at Sunset: Located on Xizhao Hill on the south bank of West Lake, it is renowned for the legend of Fahai suppressing Bai Niangzi in "The Legend of the White Snake." At sunset, the pagoda's shadow stretches across the sky, a magnificent golden spectacle. The current Leifeng Pagoda is a reconstruction on the original site, and includes an elevator and a preservation layer for the historical site. Three Pools Mirroring the Moon: The largest island in West Lake, hailed as "the most beautiful spot in West Lake." The island boasts a unique landscape of "an island within a lake, and a lake within an island." Three stone pagodas stand in a tripod formation, their hollow bodies adorned with five equidistant circular holes. On moonlit nights, lamps are lit inside the pagodas, and thin paper is pasted over the holes. The light reflected in the lake, interacting with the moon's reflection, creating the spectacular sight of "one moon in the sky, three reflections in the water." This scene is featured on the back of the one-yuan banknote.
Lotus in the Breeze at Quyuan Garden: Located on the north bank of West Lake, this area is themed around summer lotus viewing. It was once a winery for the Southern Song Dynasty. Nearby ponds were filled with lotus flowers, and the aroma of wine and lotus blossoms carried on the breeze, hence the name "Lotus in the Breeze at Quyuan Garden."
Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor: Located on the west side of the southern section of Su Causeway, this scenic spot features flowers, a harbor, and fish. The pond is home to tens of thousands of red carp. Visitors can lean on the railing and feed them, and the fish scramble for the food, splashing water and having a great time. It is a great place for family outings.
The Legend of the White Snake is one of China's four great folk love legends. The story is mainly set in places like the Broken Bridge and Leifeng Pagoda in West Lake, adding a rich mythological flavor to West Lake.
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Voltage and socket
The standard voltage in China is 220V. The commonly used socket shape is as shown in the picture. Most luxury hotel rooms are equipped with universal sockets, and tourists can also rent socket adapters at the hotel front desk.
Make a phone call
When a foreign mobile phone dials a Chinese fixed-line phone in China, it is necessary to dial the China area code (+86) and the city area code (e.g. Beijing +10) before the fixed-line phone number to be dialed.
When a foreign mobile phone dials a Chinese mobile number, it is necessary to dial the Chinese area code (+86) before the mobile number of the person being called.
Emergency call:
Call the police: 110
Fire emergency: 119
Traffic police: 122
Emergency: 120
Purchase a SIM card for a Chinese mobile phone
At major airports serving as ports of entry in China, there are designated counters for communication service providers, such as China Mobile and China Unicom. Foreign tourists can purchase SIM cards for Chinese mobile phones simply by presenting their passports.
Traffic safety tips
In China, all vehicles drive on the right side of the road, and both drivers and passengers must wear seat belts.
Health and medical tips
It is recommended to bring along commonly used medications (such as painkillers or gastrointestinal medications). If you need to take prescribed medication for an extended period, it is advisable to prepare sufficient quantities before departure and carry along doctor's certification documents, medical records, etc.
It is recommended to visit the international medical department of a general hospital or a foreign-funded hospital for treatment, as they generally provide medical services in English.
It is recommended to purchase relevant insurance before departure, and properly keep diagnosis certificates, outpatient medical records, fee lists, prescriptions, invoices, etc.
Cultural taboo
China is a multi-ethnic country, and there are significant differences in customs and habits among various ethnic groups. Especially when traveling in ethnic minority areas, it is important to pay attention to cultural taboos, such as taking off shoes when entering a Dai bamboo house, avoiding pork in Hui restaurants, and treating Buddhist statues, scriptures, and beads as sacred objects that must not be touched. It is recommended to listen carefully to the pre-trip introduction provided by the accompanying personnel and respect local culture and customs.
