Leifeng Pagoda雷峰塔
Leifeng Pagoda stands on Sunset Hill on the south shore of West Lake, one of the lake's signature sights and the source of the "Evening Glow at Leifeng" scene among the Ten Scenes of West Lake. The original tower was begun in 977, the second year of the Taiping Xingguo era of the Northern Song, and collapsed in 1924; the present pagoda was completed in 2002. The new five-story, octagonal copper-clad tower rises 45.4 m and preserves the old pagoda's remains together with treasures unearthed from its underground palace.
Hangzhou · Visitor Guide2026-10-27
Quick Answer
Is Leifeng Pagoda worth visiting?
Leifeng Pagoda in Evening Glow, one of the Ten Scenes of West Lake and home of the White Snake legend. CNY 40 buys the climb for sweeping lake views and the excavated underground palace.
Quick facts
| Ticket | CNY 40 (pagoda climb); children under 1.2 m free |
|---|---|
| Hours | 08:00-17:30 (slightly extended in summer) |
| Recommended duration | 1-2 hours recommended |
| Best time to visit | Afternoon to dusk (evening glow at its best); sunrise offers good shots too |
| How to get there | Buses K4 or K504 to the Jingsi stop; from Metro Line 1's Longxiangqiao station transfer to a bus — or simply walk or cycle along the lake |
| English signage | Yes |
| Wheelchair accessible | Yes |
| Original pagoda built | 977 (Northern Song, Taiping Xingguo era) |
| New pagoda height | 45.4 m |
| New pagoda completed | 2002 |
| Ten Scenes of West Lake | Evening Glow at Leifeng |
| Ticket | CNY 40 |
What to expect
Leifeng Pagoda crowns Sunset Hill on West Lake's south shore, named for the hill it stands on. The new tower is a five-story octagonal structure in the Song manner, its eaves, brackets and railings wrought in copper with gilded detailing — dignified and elegant. An elevator and stairs serve the interior; floors one through five hold exhibits, including a protected-ruins gallery where glass floors look straight down onto the Northern Song foundations. From the top the whole lake spreads in a 360-degree panorama, with the Su Causeway, Broken Bridge and Baoshi Hill in the distance.
The pagoda is famous not just for its architecture but for the Legend of the White Snake: the white snake spirit Bai Suzhen was imprisoned beneath it by the monk Fahai, freed only when the tower fell. When the old pagoda collapsed in 1924, Lu Xun wrote his essay "On the Fall of Leifeng Pagoda," deepening its cultural symbolism. Excavations in 2001 turned up more than 60 treasures in the underground palace, including a gilded bronze Buddha of the Wuyue Kingdom, now displayed within the tower.
Visit in the afternoon: shoot the exterior from the plaza first, then go up and wait for sunset — the evening glow shows best on clear late afternoons. The ruins gallery on the first floor deserves a slow look, and the top floor has a souvenir shop. Allow 1-2 hours, and pair the visit with Viewing Fish at Flower Pond or Jingsi Temple (the Xiling Seal Society) nearby; it is about 30 minutes on foot along the lake to Broken Bridge.
How to get there
Hangzhou buses K4 and K504 stop at Jingsi, right by the pagoda's main gate. From Metro Line 1's Longxiangqiao station, transfer to bus K4 (about 15 minutes); from Hangzhou East railway station, Line 1 to Longxiangqiao takes about 30 minutes.
Best photo spots
- The plaza below the pagoda (full view and reflections)
- The panorama of West Lake from the top
- The ruins gallery's glass floor over the old pagoda
- The evening glow at dusk (the prime moment)
- The stone reliefs of the White Snake legend at the base
Tips
- 16:00-17:30 is the golden window — soft light, and sunset gilds the tower
- It is windy on top; bundle up in winter
- Holiday crowds are heavy — arrive early and avoid the 10:00-14:00 rush
- An elevator runs to the top; stairs let you tour floor by floor
- The pagoda and Jingsi Temple (the Xiling Seal Society) share the area — see both
Scams to avoid
- Touts may steer you to shopping stops — buying tickets through official channels is safest
- Fortune-tellers occasionally work the front plaza; ignore them
Frequently asked questions
Are Leifeng Pagoda and Jingsi Temple the same place?
No, but they adjoin — the temple and the pagoda both stand on Sunset Hill, about a five-minute walk apart.
Do I need to climb? What can I see without going up?
Without a ticket you are limited to the plaza and the tower's exterior; the old pagoda's ruins can only be seen from inside. The climb is worth it for the views alone.
Is there an elevator?
Yes, an elevator runs straight to the top, though queues form on holidays — handy for anyone with limited mobility.
When is the best time for photos?
16:00-17:30, when the setting sun gilds the tower into the evening glow. Sunrise offers decent angles too, but dusk is the classic.
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