Lake Heart Scenic Area

Lake Heart Scenic Area

The Lake Heart Tourist Zone refers to the waters of West Lake and the causeways, islands, gardens, and historic sites within this area. Historically, West Lake had double its current water surface area, presenting unique sights such as “a lake reflecting twin pagodas,” “three islets set in the lake,” and “three causeways stretching over the azure waves,” forming the picturesque beauty of West Lake.

On December 1, 2002, the Comprehensive Conservation Project of West Lake was launched. The first phase has now been completed, and the dream of restoring the full panorama of West Lake is being realized. The water area of West Lake has significantly expanded, Yanggong Causeway has regained its charm, and visitors can now cruise through mountain forests in search of serene beauty. The main sightseeing experiences in this area include “boating on West Lake, viewing the twin pagodas from the lake, ascending the Penglai Islet, and strolling along the Three Causeways.” The preferred modes of transport are boats on the water and walking along the causeways.

The waters of West Lake are divided by natural islands like Solitary Hill (Gushan) and by causeways and bridges into five interconnected lakes of varying sizes. In descending order of size, they are: Outer Lake, West Inner Lake, North Inner Lake, Little South Lake, and Yue Lake.

The Outer Lake makes up about four-fifths of the total lake area. In the western part of the lake lie three historically man-made islets: Lesser Yingzhou, Mid-lake Pavilion, and Ruangong Mound, which represent the essence of the Lake Heart sightseeing experience.

The West Inner Lake is bordered by Su Causeway on its eastern shore and Yanggong Causeway on its western side. Boating on this currently relatively tranquil expanse of West Lake offers breathtaking views of shimmering water and surrounding hills that are truly enchanting.

The North Inner Lake is connected to Baoshi Mountain and Geling to the north, Solitary Hill to the southwest, and Bai Causeway to the south. With mountains as a backdrop and water reflecting them, a slender causeway stretching across the scene, peach blossoms and willows in vibrant hues, and ancient bridges arching like rainbows, it is a picturesque sight. Little South Lake and Yue Lake are located respectively to the south and north of the West Inner Lake, each covering an area of less than 0.1 square kilometers. Though small, these two water bodies exude refined elegance. Around Little South Lake, the beautiful landscapes of Nanping Mountain and South Peak are mirrored in the water. Yue Lake features a winding shoreline, surrounded by historical relics and gardens, offering ever-changing scenery. Additionally, the newly dredged western lake areas—Jinsha Port, Maojiabu, Turtle Pool, and YuHU Bay—have also greatly expanded the water area of West Lake.