Hangzhou Leifeng Pagoda tours :Hidden History & Breathtaking Views
Intro:
Hangzhou Leifeng Pagoda, formerly known as the Imperial Concubine Pagoda, also known as the Yellow Concubine Pagoda, the Royal Concubine Pagoda and the Yellow Pagoda in literature and folklore, was originally built as a pagoda to support the relics of the King of Wuyue, Qianxuan, and is located on top of the Leifeng Pagoda on the south bank of the West Lake in the West Lake District of Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, and is opposite to the Baoxuan Pagoda on Jewel Mountain in the north and south of the lake, which is a distant echo of the original pagoda. The original tower collapsed in 1924, and only the ruins remain. A new tower was rebuilt on the same site in 2002. When the sun sets, the afterglow reflects on the Leifeng Pagoda to form the famous Leifeng Sunset Landscape, which is one of the ten scenic spots of West Lake.
🎟️ Quick Facts
- Entry Fee: 40 RMB (Half-price for students/seniors)
- Hours: 8 AM-5 PM (Day) / 6 PM-10 PM (Night) Pro tip: Visit at 3-4 PM to catch both daylight and glittering night views!
- Why Go: Sunset vistas, White Snake legends, and a very catchy elevator soundtrack (hello, “A Thousand Years of Waiting”!).
🚌 Getting There
- By Bus: Take routes 3/7 to Leifeng Pagoda Station.
- By Metro: Line 1 to Ding’an Road Station → Transfer to bus.
- By Didi: ≈20 RMB from West Lake’s north shore.
🗺️ Inside the Pagoda: Floor-by-Floor Guide
Ground Floor: The Ruins
- What’s cool: Walk over glass panels to see original 10th-century foundations—the pagoda’s “skeleton”!
- Fun fact: Locals once stole bricks as “good luck charms”… until it collapsed in 1924!
Level 1: Golden Gate & Legends
- Spot: The calligraphy plaque by master Qi Gong—notice the intentionally missing stroke in “峰” (feng) for artistic flair!
- Secret: Look for White Snake murals hinting at Bai Suzhen’s tragic love story.
Level 2: Ancient Engineering Wins
- Don’t miss: The Construction of the Pagoda mural—marvel at how workers built it without cranes!
Level 3: Poetry in Stone
- Insta moment: Carved verses praising the pagoda’s beauty. Find Su Dongpo’s lines!
Level 4: Bird’s-Eye West Lake
- Key view: Interactive map showing all Ten West Lake Scenes. Spot Su Causeway and Three Pools!
Level 5: Golden Summit & Sunset Glory
- Prime time: Arrive 1 hour before sunset for “Leifeng in Evening Glow”—the sky turns peach-pink over the lake.
- Night bonus: Stay for tower lights (after 6 PM) and cityscape twinkles.
🎧 Local’s Hacks
- Beat the Crowds:
- Weekday mornings = fewer tourists.
- Skip the elevator queue—take stairs (it’s just 5 floors!).
- Soundtrack Alert:
- Elevators play 《千年等一回》(A Thousand Years of Waiting), the White Snake theme song—embrace the cheesiness!
- Combo Tickets:
- Pair with Jingci Temple next door (add 10 RMB) for Zen vibes + temple vegetarian noodles.
- Hidden Gems Nearby:
- Su Causeway: 10-min walk north—rent bikes post-visit.
- Hua Gang Guan Yu: Lakeside garden perfect for post-pagoda tea.
📸 Photo Ops Ranked
- Golden Summit Sunset: Frame the pagoda’s shadow stretching over西湖.
- Glass Floor & Ruins: Moody shot of ancient vs. modern.
- Pagoda Reflection: Head to the lotus pond southside for mirror-like water shots.
🍜 Eat Like a Local
- Post-visit Snack: Grab 定胜糕 (Ding Sheng Gao—sticky rice cakes) from vendors outside.
- Dinner with a View: 楼外楼 (Lou Wai Lou) near Bai Causeway—try West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy.
Final Tip:
Leifeng Pagoda is more than a viewpoint—it’s where myth and modernity collide. Whether you’re chasing legends, sunsets, or just a great Instagram story, this tower delivers. And yes, the elevator music will get stuck in your head. 😉
Tag us in your Pagoda pics! 📷 #LeifengMagic