The Su Causeway traverses the north and south of West Lake, constructed by Su Dongpo during his tenure in Hangzhou, also known as ‘Su Gong Di’. It is admired for its enchanting spring scenery, hence the name ‘Su Causeway in Spring Dawn’. Spanning nearly 3 kilometers, the causeway is lined with willow trees on both sides of the asphalt road. Strolling along, one can appreciate the beauty of West Lake, including the Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon and Leifeng Pagoda, and cycling is also a pleasant activity when there are fewer people. The Su Causeway features six stone bridges from south to north: Yingbo, Suolan, Wangshan, Yadian, Dongpu, and Kuahu. Between Yingbo Bridge and Suolan Bridge lies the entrance to the famous ‘Flower Harbor Viewing Fish’, a glimpse of which can be seen from Yingbo Bridge; Yadian Bridge is ideal for viewing the panorama of West Lake, with the Imperial Stele Pavilion to the south housing an inscription by Emperor Kangxi titled ‘Su Causeway in Spring Dawn’; Dongpu Bridge is a prime spot for appreciating sunrises over the lake. The southern and northern ends of the Su Causeway are home to more concentrated attractions, with the Su Dongpo Memorial Hall at the southern junction, which is free to visit and only 500 meters away from Leifeng Pagoda and Jingci Temple. Near the northern junction, one can find attractions such as Yue Wang Temple, Qu Yuan Fenghe, Solitary Hill Park, and the performance venue for ‘Impression West Lake’. The natural scenery of Su Causeway is particularly charming in spring, making it suitable for walking and photography; in summer, one can enjoy the vast lotus fields to the west of the causeway. Walking along the lakeside paths on either side of Su Causeway offers a delightful view of the lake, and when tired, one can rest on benches. Due to the prohibition of cars on Su Causeway, walking is the common mode of transportation. It typically takes about an hour to walk through without stopping. To save time, one can take a lake-circuiting sightseeing vehicle that stops on demand. Biking around Su Causeway is also a nice experience, but avoid doing so during holidays when crowds are present, as it can be challenging to navigate. The Su Causeway is open all year round, accessible 24 hours a day.
