In the forested hills above West Lake, reachable by a pleasant hike, is the striking tiled-roof, yellow-walled Baopu Taoist Temple. The temple¡¯s first hall contains a statue of Guanyin in front of a yin and yang diagram; an effigy of Gehong ( ¸ðºé) ¨C who once smelted cinnabar here ¨C resides in the next hall, behind a fabulously carved altar decorated with figures.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
0.9 MILES
The very definition of classical beauty in China, West Lake is utterly mesmerising: pagoda-topped hills rise over willow-lined waters as boats drift¡
2.92 MILES
Hangzhou¡¯s most famous Buddhist temple, Lingyin Temple was originally built in AD 326, but has been destroyed and rebuilt no fewer than 16 times. During¡
3.28 MILES
The lush, green scenery around this tea village up in the hills southwest of West Lake makes for a wonderful break from the bustle of Hangzhou. Visitors¡
2.08 MILES
The serene yet monastically active Chan (Zen) Jingci Temple was built in AD 954 and has been fully restored. The splendid first hall contains the massive,¡
4.45 MILES
The 60m-high octagonal Six Harmonies Pagoda, dating from AD 1165 in its current form but first built in AD 960, is a stout pagoda that once served as a¡
Hangzhou Old City Wall Exhibition Hall
2.54 MILES
Hangzhou is famed for its lake, but the lake was once only a (glorious) appendage to a flourishing and magnificent city. The historic city of Hangzhou ¨C¡
2.48 MILES
Not far into the hills of Hangzhou, you¡¯ll begin to see fields of tea bushes planted in undulating rows, the setting for the China Tea Museum ¨C 3.7¡
1.75 MILES
At the southern end of Zhongshan Zhonglu is this touristy, crowded and bustling pedestrian street, with makeshift puppet theatres, teahouses, and gift and¡
Nearby Hangzhou attractions
0.15 MILES
Visiting this charming pagoda overlooking West Lake makes for a lovely walk in the hills north of the lake.
0.22 MILES
Vantage point on Baoshi Hill with a pavilion. The balcony here is a mere 125m high, offering not-so-lofty-views of West Lake.
0.23 MILES
These ancient effigies are carved into the cliff-face not far from Baochu Pagoda.
0.26 MILES
The remains of this historic temple on the western slope of Baoshi Hill north of West Lake only run to a weather-beaten and dilapidated vast stone head of¡
0.33 MILES
Baoshi Hill is one of the loveliest places in Hangzhou to take a hike. Numerous well-kept paths wind through the forest, taking you up steep slopes and¡
0.46 MILES
A 100m deep cave located on the slopes of Baoshi Hill. There are three stone Buddha statues on the wall.
0.53 MILES
Connected to West Lake¡¯s northern shores by the Bai Causeway is Gushan Island ( ¹Âɽ, G¨± Sh¨¡n), the lake¡¯s largest island and the site of the modest¡