West Lake Photo Spots
Survey
Recommended photo spots for West Lake
1. Bai Causeway & Broken Bridge (Classic Year-Round Spot)
- Best time to shoot: Early morning or dusk (avoid crowds)
- Features: The "peach blossoms and willow trees" along Bai Causeway are iconic spring scenery (early April). In winter, the "Melting Snow on Broken Bridge" phenomenon occurs when one side of the bridge retains snow while the other melts.
Recommended angles:
- Near West Lake Expo Museum for Leifeng Pagoda reflections
- North side of Broken Bridge for misty morning or sunset shots
2. Leifeng Pagoda at Sunset (Golden Hour Must-Shoot)
- Best time: 30 mins before/after sunset (summer ~6:30-7:00pm)
- Features: The pagoda turns golden under sunset glow, mirroring on the lake.
Pro angles:
- South end of Su Causeway for pagoda + lake reflections
- Long Bridge Park for compressed compositions with boats
3. Lotus in the Breeze at Crooked Courtyard (Summer Specialty)
- Best season: June-August (early morning bloom)
- Features: One of West Lake's "Ten Scenes", with classic pavilion-and-lotus compositions.
Shooting tips:
- Low angles near Nine-Turn Bridge for reflection shots
- Drone overheads for "endless lotus leaves" vistas
4. Three Pools Mirroring the Moon (Iconic Night/Lantern Shots)
- Prime time: Mid-Autumn Festival (full moon) or clear sunsets
- Magic moment: When lantern lights from the stone pagodas create "three moons" - real + two reflections.
How to capture:
- Boat approach to Xiaoyingzhou Island for moon-pagoda framing
- Telephoto from Hubin Road for compressed backgrounds
5. Magnolia Flowers at State Guesthouse (Spring Instagram Spot)
- Bloom period: Mid-late March
- Why special: The pink/white magnolias against traditional architecture create perfect portrait backdrops.
Creative angles:
- Use flowers as foreground with Leifeng Pagoda behind
- Low-angle upward shots against blue sky
6. Dawn on Su Causeway (Spring Mist Fantasy)
- When to go: March-April dawn (with lingering mist)
- Poetic scenery: Six arched bridges disappearing into peach-and-willow haze.
Pro techniques:
- Yingbo Bridge area for foggy boat silhouettes
- Aerial shots showing the serpentine causeway
7. Hidden Sunset Spots
Where:
- Autumn Moon on Calm Lake: Long-exposure moonlit waters
- Yang Gong Causeway: Summer sunset colors contrasting with plane trees
- Gear tip: Use tripod + small aperture (f/8-f/16) for cloud movement
8. Offbeat Locations
- Ginkgo "Waterfalls" (Fall): Golden-leafed alleys in old neighborhoods
- China Academy of Art Xiangshan Campus: Minimalist architecture fused with nature
- Tianmuli: Modern art complex for urban aesthetics
Pro Tips:
- Seasonal focus: Spring blossoms → Summer lotuses → Fall foliage → Winter snowscapes
- Lighting: "Golden hours" after sunrise/before sunset
- Gear: Wide lens for landscapes, telephoto for details, polarizer for glare reduction