Leifeng Pagoda, Hangzhou
Leifeng Pagoda, Hangzhou | A Thousand-Year Guardian of West Lake
I. Core Highlights: A Dual Narrative of History and Legend
1. Architectural Marvel: A Time-Space Dialogue of a Pagoda Within a Pagoda
Archaeological Marvel: The new pagoda takes "heritage conservation" at its core, with a steel frame enclosing the original pagoda base. Visitors can look down onto the1924 ruins of Leifeng Pagoda, which collapsed in , and feel the awe of "a pagoda within a pagoda."
Modern Aesthetics: Standing 71.679 meters tall, the exterior retains the pavilion-style design of the Wuyue period, with an elevator rising straight to the top floor. The gilded dome on the fifth level houses the2002 Buddha's coiled-hair relic unearthed in , shimmering alongside "Leifeng Pagoda in Sunset Glow," one of the Ten Scenes of West Lake.
2. Cultural Code: A Living Depiction of the Legend of the White Snake
Intangible Heritage: Eight Dongyang wood carvings of the Legend of the White Snake on the mezzanine level depict classic scenes such as "Meeting at the Broken Bridge" and "Flooding Jinshan Temple," paired withAR AR technology so visitors can scan a QR code to watch animated stories.
Interactive Experience: In2025 年 4 , the themed event "A Thousand Transformations of Life, Love in the Year of Yisi" was launched. Visitors can play Xu Xian in the "Borrowing an Umbrella in the Rain" role-play, or hand-paint a Legend of the White Snake fridge magnet (every Wednesday and Thursday14:30-15:30, booking via the official WeChat account required).
3. Scenic Value: The Best Window onto West Lake
Visual Feast: The open-air observation deck on the top floor offers 360° of unobstructed views, with clear sightlines to iconic sights such as Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, Spring Dawn on Su Causeway and Chenghuang Pavilion. On clear days, the skyline north of the Qiantang River is visible.
Photography Secret: Best shot at dusk 17:00-18:30 to capture "Leifeng Pagoda in Sunset Glow," where the setting sun and the gilded ornamentation of the pagoda create the spectacle of a "golden top lighting up the lake." Good vantage points include the steps of the Sakyamuni Hall at Jingci Temple or the Evening Shadow Pavilion at Changqiao Park.
II. Seasonal Activities:2025 年 4 Limited-Time Experiences in
1. Legend of the White Snake Culture Week (4 月 15 日 - 21 )
Immersive Scripted Tour: Visitors take on the role of "Xu Xian" and complete the "Finding Lady White Snake" puzzle quest inside the pagoda. Collect all the clues to redeem Legend of the White Snake themed postcards.
Intangible Heritage Workshop: On the second floor of the pagoda base, "Huiwen Xuan" offers an oil-paper umbrella painting experience (88 元 / per person), with professional artists guiding you to paint a "Snow on the Broken Bridge" themed canopy.
2. Leifeng Pagoda Light Show (every Friday and Saturday19:30-20:00）
Technology in Action: LED screens LED on the pagoda's body tell the light-and-shadow story of the Legend of the White Snake, paired with the Evening Bell Ringing at Nanping Hill sound effects — a spectacular audio-visual feast of "light, shadow and+ music" (best viewing spot: Changqiao Park).
III. Practical Guide: Make the Most of Your Visit to Leifeng Pagoda
1. Getting There
Metro: Take Metro Line1 to Longxiangqiao Station, ExitA , then transfer to bus No.4 or No./ 1314 and get off at Jingsi Station; it is a5 -minute walk.
Driving: Navigate to "Leifeng Pagoda Parking Lot" (15 元 / per hour). On holidays, we recommend arriving before9:00 ; or park at "Nanshan Road Parking Lot" (8 元 / per hour,10 minutes' walk).
2. Tickets & Opening Hours
Tickets:
Adult ticket: 40 yuan; students and/ 70 seniors over pay half price (tickets purchased on site).
Combo Deal: Leifeng Pagoda + + West Lake Boat Tour combo ticket90 元（省 30 yuan (saving yuan), including island landing at Three Pools Mirroring the Moon.
Opening Hours:
3 月 16 日 - 4 月 30 to :8:00-19:00（18:30 last ticket ).
5 月 1 日 - 10 月 31 to :8:00-20:00（19:30 last ticket ).
3. Suggested Routes
Classic 2 -Hour Tour:
Morning: Get off at Jingsi Station→ feed the turtles at the Liberation Pond → visit the pagoda base ruins → ascend for views (take the elevator to level5 , then walk through each level).
Afternoon: Exit Leifeng Pagoda→ sample Congbao Gui (scallion-wrapped fried dough sticks) on He Fang Street (5 yuan) and Dingsheng Gao rice cake (4 yuan) → buy a Wang Xing Ji fan on the Southern Song Imperial Street (38 yuan and up).
In-Depth Cultural Tour:
Morning: Enter Leifeng Pagoda→ the underground palace relics exhibition (gilded silver Ashoka pagoda) → the mezzanine wood carvings of the White Snake legend →4 's interactive screens on the Ten Scenes of West Lake.
Afternoon: Jingci Temple ( 10 yuan admission) to hear the "Evening Bell at Nanping Hill" → cycle the Su Causeway (bike share20 元 / per hour) → enjoy peonies at Flower Harbor Park (4 peak bloom).
4. Tips to Beat the Crowds
Best times: Arrive before 8:00 on a weekday to skip the tour groups;16:00 head up in the late afternoon for soft light perfect for photos — and you may catch "Leifeng Pagoda in Sunset Glow."
Fast Track: Buy the "Leifeng Pagoda+ Audio Guide" combo ticket (50 yuan) to use theVIP lane and save20 minutes of queuing.
IV. Exclusive Visitor Perks
1. Cultural Enrichment
Intangible Heritage Workshop:
On the second floor of the pagoda base, "Huiwen Xuan" try incense-making (68 元 / per person, with a complimentary sachet).
Hefang Street Learn traditional forging skills at "Zhang Xiaoquan Scissors Shop" (98 yuan/ per person; you can take your work home).
Arts & culture:
Free admission to the China National Tea Museum;4 month, you can join the Longjing tea pan-firing experience (advance booking required).
2. Exclusive Benefits
Combo ticket: Leifeng Pagoda + + Lingyin Temple110 yuan (save20 yuan), including the Feilai Peak scenic area.
Discount voucher: Get the "Spring Special Offer Coupon" on the "Leifeng Pagoda Mall" mini program — spend200 and get30 yuan off (valid on cultural-creative products only).
3. Hidden Extras
Photo spots:
Jingci Temple, Shakyamuni Hall: frame Leifeng Pagoda together with the temple's upturned eaves through a window opening (a ticket is required to enter Jingci Temple).
West gate of Leifeng Pagoda: at dusk, capture the symmetric composition of the pagoda reflected in the releasing-life pond.
Night lights: on the 15th of each lunar month, Leifeng Pagoda stays lit until 22:30, when you can photograph "the night view of Leifeng Pagoda+ against the city skyline" at Changqiao Park.
V. Local-Only Favorites
Early-bird tip:7:30 head to "Jiangshunfa Congbao Gui" (Nanshan Road branch) for freshly grilled cong bao gui (5 yuan) with sweet chili sauce — a great way to dodge the sky-high tourist menus.
Off-the-beaten-track spots:
Xizhao Mountain Trail: enter from Leifeng Pagoda's west gate and climb the stone steps to the summit for a sweeping panorama of West Lake — quiet and uncrowded.
Tea gardens behind Leifeng Pagoda: a 10 -minute walk brings you to "Wengjiashan Longjing Village", where the "Wencha Village" teahouse serves pre-Qingming Longjing (88 yuan/ per cup).
Hidden food finds:
Suchunzhai: a century-old vegetarian restaurant opposite Jingci Temple; don't miss the vegetarian roast goose (38 yuan) and Arhat noodles (25 yuan).
Shanshe Café: an Instagram-famous café on Manjuelong Road; the osmanthus latte (35 yuan) pairs perfectly with Longjing pastry (28 yuan), and the terrace offers a distant view of Leifeng Pagoda.
