West Lake Scenic Spot in Huicheng district, Huizhou, Guangdong province is a national 5A-level tourist attraction. It has a combined area of 20.91-square-kilometers, of which 3.13-square-kilometers are covered by water.

Stunning natural scenery at West Lake Scenic Spot. [Photo/VCG]

The scenic spot is known for its six lakes (South, Feng, Ping, E, Ling, and Honghua), nine bridges (Xixin, Gongbei, Yuantong, Mingsheng, Yanxia, Yingxian, Qiuqu, Pipa, and Huazhou), and 18 points of interest, including a running waterfall and the sunset at Yan Tower.

It has been recorded historically that "there are 36 West Lakes in Great China, but only the one in Huizhou can be compared to that of Hangzhou".

Over 400 scholars have set foot in Huizhou and left behind cultural heritages. Su Dongpo, for example, was exiled to the city in 1094, where he lived for three years writing poetry about West Lake (then Feng Lake). In his poem Presenting Tanxiu, he compared it to West Lake in Hangzhou. This became the earliest record of the name West Lake.

Su Causeway and Xixin Bridge were funded by him. Wang Zhaoyun, the most beloved concubine of Su Shi, was buried next to West Lake where Liuru pavilion was established to commemorate her.