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Talking about G20: Journey to the West Lake

CCTV.com

09-01-2016 10:36 BJT

Full coverage: G20 Hangzhou Summit

If you're visiting Hangzhou, the one place you absolutely can not miss is the West Lake. It's located southwest of the city. It's twice the size of New York City's Central Park. West Lake's natural beauty and historical relics have inspired Chinese poets and artists throughout time.

Photo taken on Aug. 27, 2016 shows two sightseeing boats on the West Lake in Hangzhou, capital city of east China

Photo taken on Aug. 27, 2016 shows two sightseeing boats on the West Lake in Hangzhou, capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province. West Lake, located to the west of Hangzhou where this year's G20 summit is to be held, is a renowned tourist attraction not only for its picturesque landscape but also for its association with Chinese cultures embodied with historic scholars and national heroes. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

You would need a whole day to fully appreciate its beauty. The lake has 10 scenic sites. Each with a story of its own.

You can start with the Leifeng Pagoda. Local legend has it that a white snake spirit was once imprisoned in the five-story, eight-sided pagoda by a monk, who tried to separate the immortal spirit from a mortal lover.

Photo taken on Aug. 29, 2016 shows the Leifeng Pagoda and Long bridge in the sunset in the West Lake in Hangzhou, capital city of east China

Photo taken on Aug. 29, 2016 shows the Leifeng Pagoda and Long bridge in the sunset in the West Lake in Hangzhou, capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province. West Lake, located to the west of Hangzhou where this year's G20 summit is to be held, is a renowned tourist attraction not only for its picturesque landscape but also for its association with Chinese cultures embodied with historic scholars and national heroes. (Xinhua/Zhang Cheng)

Afterwards, you can walk northward along the Su Causeway, which was constructed with the help of the great poet Su Shi about 1,000 years ago.

Photo taken on April 11, 2016 shows the Su Causeway on the West Lake in Hangzhou, capital city of east China

Photo taken on April 11, 2016 shows the Su Causeway on the West Lake in Hangzhou, capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province. West Lake, located to the west of Hangzhou where this year's G20 summit is to be held, is a renowned tourist attraction not only for its picturesque landscape but also for its association with Chinese cultures embodied with historic scholars and national heroes. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)

At the other end of the causeway, you will encounter a lotus pool and a winding courtyard. A culture show will be staged here for G20 leaders.

And before you leave, make sure to indulge yourself with a lakeside sunset. It's here where the still waters of the lake meet up with the colors of the skies to create an image you won't soon forget.

Photo taken on Aug. 28, 2016 shows the Leifeng Pagoda in sunset glow near the West Lake in Hangzhou, capital city of east China

Photo taken on Aug. 28, 2016 shows the Leifeng Pagoda in sunset glow near the West Lake in Hangzhou, capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province. West Lake, located to the west of Hangzhou where this year's G20 summit is to be held, is a renowned tourist attraction not only for its picturesque landscape but also for its association with Chinese cultures embodied with historic scholars and national heroes. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua)

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