The Story of West Lake

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The Story of West Lake: Mountains beside the Lake West Lake located in Hangzhou has been a tourist destination for centuries. Ancient scholars felt West Lake was one of the most important sites to visit. Because of its history many legends have formed surrounding West Lake. Even the lake itself has its own creation legend. The legend of the creation of West Lake has been retold and adapted through countless centuries. It is said that untold millennia ago the Jade Dragon, and Gold Phoenix had discovered a piece of pure white jade on the fairyland along the Silver River in the heaven. After many years of continual laboring, they transformed it into a perfect jade ball. Anywhere the jade ball shined, green trees and blooming flowers would sprout up. When the news of this precious treasure reached the ears of the Heavenly Empress's ear, she desired to possess it. She ordered her generals to acquire the jade ball for her. When the Jade Dragon and Gold Phoenix demanded the ball back, a huge battle ensued. During the battle the jade ball was dropped to the earth, where it turned into the crystal clear West Lake and Phoenix Mountain. Ever since the battle, Phoenix Mountain has kept a watch over the beautiful jade ball. There are many legends associated with Hangzhou's West Lake such as the well-known Butterfly Lovers, the Legends about Lord Ji, the Story about Li Huiniang, as well as legends about such famous men of letters as Ge Hong, Lin Hejing, and Wu Changshuo. Just as Yu Qiuyu, a well-known prose writer, has it, the West Lake is a “lake that belongs to culture”. It is a beautiful area dotted with pagodas, pavilions and temples. It is easy to see why such a place has inspired many legends. It is a place which inspires with its

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