Leifeng Pagoda

Leifeng Pagoda is located on the shores of the southeast side of the lake and originally built in the year 977. All that remains of the original pagoda is the crumbling foundation, viewable from outside the glass case that it is housed in (Pagoda Remains Memorial Museum at the bottom floor of the pagoda). With escalators, elevators, and a totally new pagoda places on top of the foundation, there is not much to see within the pagoda itself; it was most recently rebuilt in 2000.

Leifeng Tower has become a landmark building of Hangzhou West Lake. It is not only a tower that can see the panoramic view of the West Lake and Hangzhou city, but also a tower that inherits Hangzhou's history and culture. At the Leifeng Pagoda, you can see the unique landscape, profound Buddhist culture, beautiful legend of the White Snake and novel architectural features.

However, the view of the city skyline is one of the best from Leifeng Pagoda, and some of the smaller seating areas around the perimeter of the pagoda have a nice breeze and view of the structure. One of the 10 Scenes of the West Lake is "Leifeng Pagoda in Evening Glow", but this is best viewed from a distance (across the lake) just after sunset.
 

Sunset on the Leifeng Pagoda

Sunset on the Leifeng Pagoda is one of the Ten Views of the West Lake. Leifeng Pagoda is located on the Xizhao Mountain in the south shore of the West Lake. When the sun sets on the Leifeng Pagoda, the Leifeng Pagoda will be reflected on the calm surface of the West Lake. And the surface of the West Lake will be reflected by the sunset and sunset glows, red, orange, purple or golden.
 

Things to Do at the Leifeng Pagoda

Have a Panoramic View of the West Lake

The whole Leifeng Tower is 71.68 meters high, which is located on Xizhao Mountain on the south bank of West Lake, about 48 meters above sea level. Climbing to the top floor of Leifeng Tower, our sight was raised by nearly 100 meters. Standing on the Leifeng Pagoda and looking around, the scenery of the West Lake will all appear before our eyes.

Know about the Buddhist Culture

The Leifeng Pagoda was originally a Buddhist pagoda. In 977, Qian Chu, King of the State of Wu Yue built the Leifeng Pagoda on the shore of the West Lake to worship pray for stable country and peaceful people. In 2001, the pure silver Asoka Pagoda and the stupa were excavated in the underground palace of Leifeng Pagoda, which are the treasure of the Leifeng Pagoda.
 

Know About the Love Story at Leifeng Tower

The Legend of the White Snake is one of the four great folk love stories in China. The White Snake was ruthlessly suppressed by Fahai under the Leifeng Tower. This sad and euphemistic love story touched many people. Today, when we walk into Leifeng Pagoda, we can see the reappearance of the lingering love story between Xu Xian and Bai Niangzi.

A moving love story is contained in the Leifeng Pagoda history. The story tells of a young scholar who falls in love with a beautiful woman, unaware that she is a white snake who has taken on human form. A monk intervenes in order to save the scholar’s soul and casts the white snake into a deep well at the Leifeng Pagoda. Over centuries the story has evolved from horror story to romance with the scholar and the white snake-woman genuinely in love with one another, but such a relationship is forbidden by the laws of Heaven. The legend was existed as oral traditions long before any written compilation. It has since become a major subject of several Chinese opera, films and TV series.
 

Admire the Architectural Design of the Leifeng Pagoda

The new pagoda of Leifeng Pagoda was rebuilt on the original site of the old pagoda in Leifeng during the wuyue period, with the ruins of the old pagoda below the tower base and the new pagoda in Leifeng above the tower base.

Best Time to Visit the Leifeng Pagoda

Leifeng Pagoda belongs to the West Lake Scenic Area. West Lake in Hangzhou is always beautiful in different seasons, the best time to visit the Leifeng Pagoda will depend on the scenery you prefer. If you like the lush willows and other plants in West Lake, you can visit the West Lake and Leifeng Pagoda in spring. If you want to see the lotus blossoms in the West Lake, you can visit the West Lake and the Leifeng Pagoda in summer. If you prefer the autumn foliage surrounding the Leifeng Pagoda, you can visit the Leifeng Pagoda in autumn. If you like the snow scenery of the West Lake, you can visit the West Lake and Leifeng Pagoda in winter.

The best time to visit the Leifeng Pagoda during a day is in the afternoon, when you can enjoy the stunning sunset and the night view of the West Lake.