East China

Leifeng Pagoda Travel Guide

Sunset over the Mountains · Legend of the White Snake · Panoramic View of West Lake

Leifeng Pagoda is on Sunset Hill at West Lake and is famous because of the Legend of the White Snake. The original pagoda collapsed in 1924, and it was rebuilt on the original site in 2002 with an added protective cover. Inside the pagoda, there are site displays, and the top of the pagoda is one of the best spots to overlook West Lake.

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Destination Details

Key facts

Best time periodEvening(Leifeng Evening Glow)

Suggested stay1–1.5 hours

Key highlightsPagoda Base Ruins · Pagoda Body Observation Deck · Legend of the White Snake Story Exhibition

Admission ticketTower tickets are charged separately, including the escalator.

TrafficThe southern end of Su Causeway at West Lake can be visited together with Jingci Temple.

Leifeng Pagoda was first built in the second year of the Taiping Xingguo era of the Northern Song Dynasty and was named for its location on Leifeng (Xizhao Mountain). It has been repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt over the centuries and collapsed in 1924 due to the large-scale theft of its bricks. It was reconstructed in 2002, with a new glass protective cover added on the original site, allowing the foundation remains of the pagoda to be fully displayed inside.

Main Highlights

Pagoda Foundation Ruins

On entering the first floor of the pagoda, visitors can see the remaining foundation of the original pagoda and relics unearthed from the underground palace. The ruins are genuinely exposed, making this part the most valuable section of the pagoda.

Observation Deck

Take the escalator to the various levels of the pagoda to get a bird's-eye view of Su Causeway, Xiaoyingzhou, and the entire southern shore of West Lake. The best view is at sunset when the sun reflects on the water; this is how "Leifeng Sunset" got its name.

Legend of the White Snake Exhibition

Inside the pagoda, there are wood carvings and scene displays depicting the story of Bai Suzhen, which is very suitable for children to see.

Recommended Stay

1 hour: Ruins and Observation Deck.
Half day: Add Jingci Temple and the southern section of Su Causeway.

Local Tips

Many people visit the pagoda in the evening; choosing a time in the afternoon when the light is softer is recommended.
Tripods are prohibited inside the pagoda.