Hangzhou · Neighbourhood ·
West Lake South (Nanshan)
南山 · The lake's southern arc — Leifeng Pagoda, the Su Causeway entrance, classical garden landscapes, and a quieter, more contemplative half of the West Lake circuit.
About this neighbourhood
Nanshan Road traces the southern half of West Lake from the Su Causeway south end to Wushan Square. The road passes Leifeng Pagoda, the most famous of the lake's pagodas, originally built in 975 CE and collapsed in 1924 after centuries of brick-pilfering for folk-medicine purposes. The 2002 reconstruction, on the original foundations, is a steel and reinforced-concrete pagoda clad in traditional materials. Its observation level offers the canonical south-to-north view of West Lake.
The Su Causeway, longer and quieter than the northern Bai Causeway, was built by the poet-official Su Dongpo during his 1090 Hangzhou tenure. Six stone bridges punctuate its length; the central segments are lined with weeping willows and peach trees that flower in March. The "Spring Dawn at Su Causeway" is one of the canonical Ten Scenes of West Lake.
Jingci Temple, opposite Leifeng Pagoda on the northern slope, contains the temple bell that rings at dawn for the "Evening Bell at Nanping" scene. The temple's vegetarian restaurant is a respected option for lunch.
The southeastern terminus at Wushan Square is the historical commercial heart of Hangzhou — Qing-era street layouts, the Hu Xueyan ancestral hall, and a substantial evening street-food market that runs until midnight.
What to see
Leifeng Pagoda (rebuilt 2002 on the original 975 CE foundation), Net Reservoir (Jingci Temple), Long Bridge, the Su Causeway, Hangzhou Botanical Garden, the China Academy of Art Nanshan campus, Wushan Square.
What to eat
Wushan Square's classical street food — bao, scallion pancakes, soy-braised duck, candied hawthorn skewers — is a deliberate evening attraction. Garden-restaurant Cantonese in the higher-end pagoda complex.
Transit
Metro Line 4 Nanxing Bridge for the eastern end of Nanshan Road; buses Y2, 4, 7 along the lake. Walking the Su Causeway from north to south takes 45 minutes.
Where to stay
Garden-style hotels in among the lakefront greenery — Hangzhou Garden Hotel, Wuyang Boutique Hotel. Mid-range options on Nanshan Road. The southern arc has fewer hotels than the eastern shore.
Hazards & notes
The Su Causeway gets crowded on weekends — bicycle traffic and pedestrian traffic share the narrow path. Pagoda climbs require advance ticket booking via the Hangzhou Tourism app.