Amble across the city’s most famous bridge to reach an island full of surprises, with nature paths, restaurants and museums.
Broken Bridge stretches across a scenic part of West Lake to connect the mainland with the region’s largest island. It is one of the most visited sites in Hangzhou due in part to the legendary tales surrounding the bridge. You will see crowds of people enjoying the picturesque and tranquil area year-round.
According to one fable, the bridge’s name refers to a broken heart. The legend goes that a white snake living in the lake turned into a young woman who fell in love with a man on the bridge. For many years, they lived a blissful existence together until one day a Buddhist monk transformed her back into a snake near the bridge where the couple met and she disappeared from the man’s life forever.
Visit the bridge with your lover, partner or friend to have your picture taken on the romantic site. Avoid the crowds by arriving early in the morning or late in the evening when the bridge is illuminated by warm lamps.
Capture photos of the bridge from the shoreline or of its reflection in the water surrounded by trees on a clear day. Toward the end of winter, note how the snow on the sunny part of the bridge melts well before the snow on the shady side. In the reflection of the bridge in the lake, it appears to be broken, which is another potential source of its name.
Relish the views of the calm waters of West Lake as you set across the bridge from the mainland. Arrive on the lake’s largest island and take a leisurely stroll around to see its sites. Wander through green parks and pleasant nature trails. Visit some of the small museums on the island. Dine at one of the bistros serving culinary delights from the region.
You can find Broken Bridge at the eastern end of the Bai Causeway. Opening times for the various attractions on the island vary, though the bridge is always accessible. Take the city’s metro system to Longxiang Qiao, which is just a short walk from West Lake and its romantic bridge.
