Natural formation and dredging efforts About 4,400 to 2,500 years ago, as sea levels fell, the
Hangzhou-Jiaxing-Huzhou plain began to emerge, while West Lake was merely a shallow bay. Over time, the
Qiantang River gradually deposited sand and rocks outside this bay. About 2,000 years ago, a lagoon was formed. Streams from the surrounding mountains transformed the water into freshwater, but ongoing silt deposits gradually reduced the lake to a swamp. In local
folklore, when
Qin Shi Huang (259–210 BC), the first
emperor of China, visited Hangzhou, West Lake was still part of the Qiantang River. The giant rock on the north bank of West Lake was said to be where the emperor anchored his fleet. According to
Records of the Grand Historian, during his visit in 210 BC, the emperor was halted in Hangzhou by the strong tide of the Qiantang River and had to take a detour westward to reach Shaoxing. During the Eastern Han era (25–220), local official Hua Xin ordered the construction of a seawall to completely cut the lake off from the sea. In 591, the government seat of Hangzhou, originally on the west shore, was relocated to the newly built walled city east of the lake. With the completion of the
Grand Canal, Hangzhou, as its destination, became a transport hub of China. Before the
Tang dynasty (618–907), West Lake was a shallow body of water, but continuous dredging efforts prevented it from becoming a swamp. During the Jianzhong period (780–783) of the
Tang dynasty, local official
Li Bi diverted water into Hangzhou via underground pipes, creating six ponds to secure the city's water supply. In 822,
Bai Juyi dredged West Lake and used the silt to build a long causeway between Qiantang and Yuhang Gates, which was named in his memory. Under the
Wuyue Kingdom (907–932), with Hangzhou being the capital, King Qian Liu ordered annual dredging of West Lake with soldiers to maintain water quality for water supply. In the Song dynasty,
Su Shi (1037–1101) ordered the construction of the Su Causeway from dredged silt in 1089. He designated an area of the lake with three stone pagodas to prevent water chestnut planting and reduce silting, which may mark the origin of the "Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon." By 1275, military patrols were appointed to maintain and police the lake, where littering of any rubbish or planting additional lotuses or water-chestnuts were forbidden.
From literary tradition to tourism Literary works by renowned literati contributed to the fame of Hangzhou's West Lake among Chinese intellectuals. Wars and conflicts in northern China during the Song dynasty—including invasions by the
Khitan,
Jurchen, and
Mongols—triggered significant migration southward to the new capital, leading to urbanisation and economic prosperity. With city walls blocking much of the natural scenery, West Lake became a favoured destination for urban residents seeking respite from the demands of city life and political turmoil. By the late Song dynasty, West Lake had evolved into a significant hub where tourism emerged. While
pilgrimage and contemplative retreat had previously been the main motives for travel, sightseeing gained wide acceptance as an activity focused on enjoyment and the appreciation of natural beauty, roughly at the same time as in western Europe. Aesthetic appreciation of landscapes became a popular business, with diverse entertainment options which involved standardised routes and viewing orders made available to cater to various preferences and budgets. Tour guides, seasonal markets and specialty shops emerged. Boating on the lake was a popular pastime, with records noting hundreds of intricately carved, elegantly decorated boats gliding gracefully over the water.
Mongol rule and fall of tourism The booming tourism led to different interpretations. The lake was regarded as a literary tradition, a symbol of the state and a part of local history and knowledge, but for some, a symbol of extravagance and luxury. In 1142, Yue Fei, a hawkish Chinese general known for his determined efforts to reclaim northern China, was executed by the dovish emperor and his chief councillor. Yue's death marked the end of attempts to recapture the north, as the emperor prioritised peace despite the Song army's successes. In 1162, his wrongful execution was acknowledged, and his remains were moved to a tomb by West Lake. Since 1221, a nearby temple has been repurposed in his memory. When the Ming dynasty replaced Mongol rule, Hangzhou gradually regained its prosperity by the mid-15th century. However, the lake experienced droughts in 1442 and 1456, causing it to dry up temporarily. In 1508, Hangzhou governor Yang Mengying led a major dredging effort, repairing the Su and Bai Causeways and creating the Yanggong Causeway in his memory. This restoration returned the lake's appearance to its Tang dynasty splendour. Further construction works in 1576, 1607-1611 and 1621 built the Mid-Lake Pavilion and the Lesser Yingzhou Islet. The period of time saw the publication of a series of books on local history and culture which depicted West Lake, inspiring Japanese gardens such as the
Kyū Shiba Rikyū Garden. In 1864, the West Lake Dredging Bureau was established, to manage the dredging of the lake. Land in the Manchu quarter was sold at auction to establish a New Business District and the lakefront renovated as a string of public parks, integrating West Lake into the new heart of the city. The former imperial palace on Gushan was converted into Zhongshan Park, named for
Sun Yat-sen. The exposition showcased Chinese merchandise and cultureparticularly those of Hangzhou and
Jiangnanto a global audience. Under Japanese rule, deforestation of the mountains surrounding West Lake led to rapid silting of the lake from soil erosion, due to a lack of maintenance. With the Japanese surrender in 1945, tourism at West Lake flourished once again, although the city itself faced severe economic challenges due to hyperinflation.
Hangzhou Botanical Garden and a flower garden was opened on the lake's west shore. The parks of Fish Viewing at the Flower Pond and Orioles Singing in the Willows were constructed.
Lingyin Temple,
Jingci Temple, Yue-Wang Temple, Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon, Mid-Lake Pavilion and other spots were renovated. at West Lake in 1972Since 1953,
Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party Mao Zedong stayed periodically at West Lake every year until his
death in 1976. To ensure his safety, the local government forcibly relocated residents suspected of connections with the
Nationalists to
labour camps. Shops near the lake were acquired by the state, and undercover security personnel were stationed at over 100 shops in the area. The tombs of notable figures—including
Wu Song,
Fang La,
Yu Qian,
Zhang Cangshui,
Su Manshu,
Su Xiaoxiao, and the
Stuart family—as well as the temples of
Yue Fei and
Wen Tianxiang, were damaged or destroyed. During the
Cultural Revolution (1966–1976), Liutong Temple and another temple were destroyed.
Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai ordered the closure of the
Lingyin Temple to prevent it from being damaged, but repairs were later made to many scenic sites, due to the visits by the exiled
Cambodian
prince Norodom Sihanouk in 1971 and the
American president Richard Nixon in 1972. During the
2016 G20 Hangzhou summit and the
2023 Asian Games, West Lake State Guest House was where
General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Xi Jinping met with foreign guests, such as
Barack Obama and
Narendra Modi. ==General layout==