Liuhe Pagoda is located next to the Qiantang River Bridge. Standing on top of it, one can enjoy a panoramic view of the Qiantang River. The pagoda was originally built by a monk in the Northern Song Dynasty to subdue the river tides. From the outside, it looks like an ancient structure 60 meters tall with 13 stories. Each story is equipped with numerous small windows and adorned with 104 iron bells on the upturned corners of the eaves. However, it has only seven interior levels with a unique “seven bright, six hidden” design. The park is small. After entering through the main gate, one quickly arrives at the foot of the ancient pagoda.
When climbing up the Liuhe Pagoda, the stairs become narrower and more difficult to climb, just like scaling a small attic. Each level offers an opportunity to step out and view the landscape from different heights. At the top, one can see the surging Qiantang River below, the Qiantang River Bridge spanning the banks, and the architecture and greenery along the riverbanks. The river breeze makes the iron bells ring, giving the place an ancient charm.
The pagoda has long been a favorite place for literati to admire the river and write poetry. It has been renovated in different dynasties. The interior is decorated with intricate carvings of flora, fauna, and celestial beings. Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty, who visited here, inscribed words on plaques for each level. Now, these inscriptions by later calligraphers can be seen inside the pagoda.It also houses ancient relics such as the Southern Song Dynasty’s Shangshu’s provincial stele and fragments of the ‘Sutra of Forty-two Chapters’ written by forty-two calligraphers. Beside the ancient pagoda stands a bronze bell. Visitors can strike it and listen to the resonant sounds of the Liuhe Bell. Behind the pagoda, ascending a flight of steps on the western hill, one finds the Chinese Ancient Pagoda Expo Garden. Here, one can stroll and appreciate miniatures of famous ancient pagodas such as the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Small Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi’an, the White Pagoda in Beijing, the Chongsheng Temple Pagoda in Dali, and the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda. Through the introductions in front of each model, one can gain knowledge about these renowned Chinese architectural wonders.
The entire text is open year-round from 07:00 to 17:30. Preferential policies apply year-round from 07:00 to 16:55. Children: those aged 6 and under, or with a height of 1.2 meters and under, enter for free. Minors aged between 6 and 18 with valid identification receive a half-price discount. Students: full-time undergraduate students and below with valid identification receive a half-price discount. Elderly: those aged between 60 and 69 with valid identification receive a half-price discount. Those aged 70 and above with valid identification enter for free. Military personnel: active-duty military with valid identification enter for free. Disabled individuals: with valid identification, enter for free.Retired officials, firefighters, active-duty public security police officers, disabled military personnel, martyrs’ families, families of soldiers who died in duty, families of soldiers who died of illness, retired officers: with valid identification, enter for free.
Blood donors: donors with the ‘Zhejiang Province Voluntary Blood Donation Honor Certificate’ and their ID card enter for free.
Teachers with over 30 years of teaching experience: with the unified honor certificate issued by the Education Department, enter for free.
Additional notes: when entering the park, adolescents and students must present valid identification such as a resident ID or student ID.
Youth from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan can enjoy preferential policies with valid identity documents such as the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents, the Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents, or student identification.
If you do not meet the conditions for free or discounted tickets, please do not purchase half-price or preferential tickets! If you have already purchased them, please apply for a refund and rebook.
Service facility parking lot: 【Liuhe Pagoda Parking Lot, West Lake District, Hangzhou】Reference price: ¥15/hour; Address: Liuhe Pagoda Parking Lot, West Lake District, Hangzhou; Number of spaces: 400.
Nursing room: Address: Visitor Center.
