Hangzhou – Legends of West Lake

Hangzhou’s West Lake is a destination steeped in myths and traditional Chinese culture, surrounded by beautiful landscapes, historic temples, and timeless legends. One of China’s most famous folktales, “The Legend of White Snake,” centers around West Lake, making it an ideal place to introduce children to storytelling, Chinese culture, and natural beauty. In this blog post, we’ll recommend storybooks inspired by Hangzhou’s West Lake, provide discussion questions for families, and outline a hands-on activity to bring the magic of West Lake legends to life.

Book Recommendations

1. “The Legend of the White Snake” retold by Wei Jing
   Ages: 7+
   This captivating retelling of the classic Chinese tale introduces children to the beautiful love story of Lady White Snake, set against the magical backdrop of West Lake. The book’s illustrations bring Hangzhou’s scenic beauty to life, making it an immersive read.
2. “Tales of the West Lake” by Ming Yu
   Ages: 6-10
   This collection of short stories showcases the various myths and legends surrounding Hangzhou’s West Lake, from ancient deities to magical beings. Each story highlights a unique aspect of the lake’s history and is perfect for bedtime or family story time.
3. “A Day at West Lake: Hangzhou Adventure” by Lin Xia
   Ages: 4-8
   This book provides a modern-day adventure at West Lake, where a curious child and their family explore the lake, its temples, and pagodas, learning about the legends and natural beauty along the way. It’s a fun introduction to West Lake’s history, blending exploration with myth.

Discussion Questions

1. What makes West Lake so special that it inspired so many stories and legends?
   • Encourage children to think about the beauty and history of the lake, helping them appreciate why it has been a source of inspiration for centuries.
2. If you were exploring West Lake, what part would you want to visit first, and why?
   • Let kids imagine their own West Lake adventure and what elements—like the pagodas, bridges, or the legend of Lady White Snake—appeal to them the most.
3. How do you think the stories from West Lake teach people about love, bravery, and friendship?
   • This question helps children consider the values embedded in Chinese folktales and how these lessons can apply to real life.

Interactive Activity: Create Your Own West Lake Diorama

This activity allows families to recreate West Lake in a mini-diorama, complete with landmarks and legends from the stories. Together, you can build a model of the lake, its famous bridges, and mythical characters for an engaging, hands-on experience.

Instructions

1. Materials Needed: Shoebox or tray, blue and green construction paper, clay, markers, small sticks, glue, and decorative elements like stones or plastic trees.
2. Create the Lake Base: Line the bottom of the shoebox or tray with blue construction paper to represent West Lake. Use green paper to add land around the edges for the surrounding area.
3. Build Key Features: With clay or sticks, create tiny models of the Broken Bridge, Leifeng Pagoda, and the other iconic spots. Use markers to color or label each location.
4. Add Mythical Characters: Using small figurines or clay, create characters from the Legend of the White Snake and place them near their respective landmarks.
5. Tell Your Own Story: After building the diorama, encourage each family member to add a small detail to the scene and share a story about it, building a collective family story inspired by West Lake.

This interactive experience allows children to explore Hangzhou’s legends, visualizing the lake’s scenery and connecting with Chinese culture in a personal way.