Gemstone Radiance is one of the ten new scenic spots of West Lake. It refers to the sparkling red pebbles on the Gemstone Hill by the north shore of West Lake, which glisten under the sunlight, creating a breathtaking spectacle with the colorful rosy clouds that seem to flow and radiate with brilliance.
For most tourists, Gemstone Hill is a relatively lesser-known attraction, yet it is a popular spot for locals from Hangzhou to climb and exercise. If you visit Hangzhou and are not satisfied with just visiting West Lake, Gemstone Hill is an excellent alternative. The hill is only 200 meters high with a gentle slope, making it very suitable for climbing, and it can be completed in about an hour. There are multiple entrances to the hill along Beishan Road, Shuguang Road, and Baochu Road, and one can choose based on personal convenience. The Qixia Ridge entrance near Yue Wang Temple has a steep ‘Four Hundred Steps’ path leading up, from where one can walk along the ridge by the lake; if approaching from east to west, one can start from the first alley at the foot of Gemstone Hill and descend near Yue Temple; if coming from south to north, one can start near Ge Ling Bus Station and descend near Huanglong Cave Bus Station. The more common route is from east to west, and the paths on the hill are not complicated, with directional signs guiding the way. Overlooking West Lake from Gemstone Hill, if you simply want to see the full view of West Lake, start from the first alley at the east foot of Gemstone Hill, and soon you will arrive at the Innocent Era Bookstore (formerly the Chuyang Tai Tea House), where you can read and enjoy tea for a while. Continuing upwards, you will reach the iconic structure of Gemstone Hill, Baochu Pagoda, where many large rocks are inscribed with the words ‘Gemstone Radiance’ after passing through the narrow ‘One Line Sky’. Enjoying the mountain breeze and lake view from the rocks offers an extremely broad perspective. On sunny days, this place is ideal for appreciating the morning glow and sunset, and the photos taken here are very beautiful. If you climb at night, you can overlook the night view of West Lake. If you enjoy mountain climbing, continue upwards and turn left at the crossroads ahead to reach the first platform at the top of the hill (turn right to descend to Huanglong Cave Scenic Area), but the dense trees here block the view of West Lake, making it not the best place for sightseeing. However, there is a two-story pavilion at the first platform where you can rest. Near the top of the hill, there is a Baopu Taoist Temple, which is quiet and has a small tea room for tea drinking. Heading west, you will start descending, passing by sights such as Qixia Cave and Niu Gao’s Tomb, allowing you to pay respects and explore. Finally, arriving at Yue Wang Temple at the foot of the hill, you can continue to enjoy the West Lake. The hill is open all year round, accessible all day. Essential Tips: 1. To view the ‘Gemstone Radiance’, it is best to be there at the first light of dawn or during the afterglow of sunset. At these times, the elegant Baochu Pagoda and the purple-brown rocks with the flowing rosy clouds are a sight not to be missed.There are numerous large boulders near Baochu Pagoda, where some people occasionally engage in free climbing. It is strongly advised against attempting such activities, as safety should always come first.
There are no camping sites on the mountain, so it is not recommended to spend the night on the mountain.
