West Lake (Xihu)

There are some 36 lakes across China called West Lake, but Hangzhou's is the finest. The lake is crossed by two cause-ways, the Baidi and the Sudi, where you can sit and watch life go by. Take a boat out to visit the lake's islands, the most serene of which is Santan Yinyue (Three Pools Reflecting the Moon), famous for the romantic atmosphere created by the reflection of the August moon. Larger boats leave from the Hangzhou Overseas Chinese Hotel on Hubin Lu, or you can rent your own boat anywhere along the shoreline.