West Lake, also known as Qiantang Lake, is located at Longjing Road 1, Xihu District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China, in the west of Hangzhou City, with a catchment area of 2 1.22 square kilometers and a lake surface area of 6.38 square kilometers.
Xiangxi, the west and the north are surrounded by mountains on three sides, adjacent to the urban area in the east and the Qiantang River across the mountain in the south. Bai Causeway, Su Causeway, Yang Gongdi and Zhao Gong dikes in the lake divide the lake into several water surfaces. There are three islands in the lake. The West Lake Mountain Range is centered on the West Lake and divided into four levels from near to far. The annual runoff of the West Lake Basin is140,000 cubic meters, and the storage capacity is close to140,000 cubic meters.
West Lake is a well-equipped and well-managed irrigation reservoir, which provides sufficient water for Hangzhou urban area and surrounding farmland through canals and gates. The West Lake can also help regulate the water level of Qiantang River and prevent waterlogging in the city.
Legend of West Lake
According to legend, Yulong and Jinfeng in the sky found a piece of white jade on Xiandao near the Milky Way. They pondered together for many years, and the white jade became a bright pearl. Wherever this orb goes, trees are evergreen and flowers are in full bloom.
However, when the orb was discovered by the Queen Mother, the Queen Mother sent heavenly soldiers to take it away. Yulong and Jinfeng hurried to get the orb, but the Queen Mother refused, so a fight broke out. As soon as the Queen Mother's hand was released, the pearl fell to the ground and became a sparkling West Lake. Yulong and Jinfeng also descended to the world and became Jade Dragon Mountain (Jade Emperor Mountain) and Phoenix Mountain.
Reference to the above content: Baidu Encyclopedia-West Lake