1940 Bird's Eye View of West Lake Hangzhou, China

A striking full color c. 1940 panoramic bird's-eye view of West Land in Hangzhou, China. The view looks southwest on Westlake from downtown Hangzhou. The Huixin Pavilion (湖心亭) appears at center, and Belli Lake is on the right, behind the Baidi causeway. Hangzhou's waterfront appears at bottom center, with the dramatic station of revolutionary leader Qimei Chen, a follower of Sun Yat-Sen prominent.

West Lake

West Lake (西湖) is a freshwater lake in Hangzhou, China. It is divided into five sections by three causeways. There are numerous temples, pagodas, gardens, and natural/artificial islands within the lake. Gushan (孤山) is the largest natural island and three artificial islands: Xiaoyingzhou (小瀛洲), Huixin Pavilion (湖心亭), and Ruan Gongdun (阮公墩) stand at the middle of the lake. Leifeng Pagoda (雷峰塔) and Baochu Pagoda (保俶塔) are separated by the lake. Mirroring each other, the basic pattern of 'one mountain, two towers, three islands, three banks, and five lakes' is formed.

Publication History and Census

This map was printed in Shanghai during the Republic of China period. Although undated, it was likely produced in the 1940s. Uncommon on the market and in institutional collections.