A famous sightseeing sight in Hangzhou in East China is the West Lake. The 14the century Italian traveler Marco Polo once said "It is as if in Heaven when you are at the West Lake."

Resting in the embrace of hilly peaks on three sides, this water wonderland has been an attraction for centuries. The lake and its surroundings have all the elements of a traditional Chinese garden but on a grand scale. The natural setting of strangely shaped peaks, serene forests and springs, dense foliage and a myriad of blossoms especially in springtime are enhanced by a treasury of sculpture and architectural features. Whatever time of year, the panorama is pleasing to the eye and the nuances of light blend with the changing seasons to present an ever-changing picture that has been described as 'intoxicating'.

The famous Song Dynasty poet Su Dongpo of the tenth century once compared the West Lake to Xi Zi, the most beautiful woman in ancient China."Ripping water shimmering on a sunny day, Misty mountains shrouded the rain; Plain or gaily decked out like Xizi; West Lake is always alluring."

A number of specific features can be singled out as noteworthy. To the south of the centre of the Outer Lake is a man made island known as the Island of Little Oceans, that encloses four small lakes. From here one can view the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon when at night candles are lit in stone lanterns jutting out of the water to create the impression of the reflection of three moons. The scene is truly magical on the night of the Autumn Moon Festival. Solitary Hill Island lies between the Outer Lake and the north Inner Lake and is an ideal spot from which to admire the vista. The nearby Two Peaks Embracing the Sky is another impressive sight, especially when crossing the lake by boat.

There are many beautiful stories about the West Lake. The most famous one is the story of Lady White Snake.

Once there were two snakes, a White Snake and a Black Snake who changed into beautiful girls. The white snake was named Bai Suzhen and the Black snake Xiao Qing. One day when they were touring the West Lake, they met a young man named Xu Xian at the famous Duan-Qiao bridge. Bai and Xu Xian immediately fell in love. Xiao Qing cast a spell to make it rain and Xu Xian offered his umbrella to the ladies. With the help of Xiao Qing, the two fell in love and were later married. They opened a pharmaceutical store to treat sick people.

But an Abbot, named Fa Hai, of a remote Buddhist temple, Jin Shan Temple found out that Bai was a snake. He persuaded Xu Xian to leave Bai. When refused, he gave him some festival wine to give to Bai to drink.

When Bai drank the wine, she changed back to her real self. Xu Xian saw her and died of fright. White Snake went to steal the anecdote, which was heavily guarded. Moved by her brave and true love, the owner of the drug gave her the elixir.

The life of Xu Xian was restored. The two were still deeply in love. But the Abbot tricked Xu Xian into the Jinshan temple and forced him to be a monk. Bai and Xiao Qing went to rescue him. In their fight with Xu Xian, she created a flood to submerge the temple. As Bai was about to give birth, she could not fight and fled to West Lake to where she first met Xu Xian.

Meanwhile, Xu Xian was secretly released by a young monk and happened to come to the same place. Bai gave birth to a child when Fahai caught them. He imprisoned Bai under the Leifeng Tower and cursed her so that she'd never come out unless the waters of the West Lake dried up and the tower collapsed.

Years later, Xiao Qing came back to the West Lake. She dried up the water of the lake and rescued Lady White Snake.

The legend of their love story makes the West Lake special.