West Lake
Xihu District, China
West Lake is Hangzhou’s defining landscape: water, wooded hills, islands and causeways arranged into views that have influenced gardens across East Asia. Walk a section of the shoreline before taking to the water, rather than trying to cover every celebrated viewpoint in one outing. The lake rewards changes of light and perspective. Its bridges and planted banks make it particularly satisfying for travellers who enjoy photography, landscape design and unhurried walking.