Lotus ponds
In summer.
低碳一粒米 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · zhiyin586@163.com — CC BY 3.0 · 钉钉 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · ·˙·ChinaUli2010·.· — CC BY 3.0 · ·˙·ChinaUli2010·.· — CC BY 3.0 · Gerd Eichmann — CC BY-SA 4.0 · zhiyin586@163.com — CC BY 3.0 · 江上清风1961 — CC BY 3.0
A park at the north end of the Su Causeway named after one of the Ten Scenes of West Lake, «Lotus in the Breeze at the Winding Courtyard». Under the Southern Song a government brewery stood here among lotus ponds, and in 1699 the Kangxi Emperor changed the characters of its name to the present form. Restored and opened to visitors in 1983, it covers 28 hectares and is China's largest garden devoted to lotus, with more than two hundred varieties blooming in wide ponds among bridges and pavilions. Entry is free at any hour; it is at its best in July and August in the early morning, between 6 and 8 am, or just before sunset when the light is softer, per visitor guides.
In summer.
Over the water.
The best time.
89 Beishan Street, west shore of West Lake, Hangzhou
Su CausewayA raised walkway about 2.8 km long across the western part of West Lake, running12 minutes walk
Xiling Seal Art SocietyA historic society for the art of stone seal carving on Gushan, the island hill 12 minutes walk
Hangzhou Botanical GardenA large public botanical garden at Taoyuanling, west of West Lake, founded in 1915 minutes walk
Three Pools Mirroring the MoonOne of West Lake's most famous scenes, three small stone pagodas standing in the19 minutes walk4.6
West LakeChina's most celebrated lake, a freshwater lake west of central Hangzhou coverin23 minutes walk4.5In July and August; the best times are early morning, between 6 and 8 am, or just before sunset, and entry is free, per visitor guides.