The day started with us taking a train from Shanghai South Railway station to Hangzhou. The train ride was very comfortable-- cushioned seats, smooth ride and fast ( it was travelling at 170km/h). The journey took approximately 1.5h. So, we arrived in Hangzhou in no time. nice~~
Of course, things are never that smooth-sailing in China, hurhur. We joined the taxi queue at the railway station, which seemed to go on forever.. And, when some people tried cut the Q, no one protested. amazing. oh well, being in a foreign land, we decided it'll be best if we kept our mouths shut too.

After a very long wait, we finally got on a cab and headed for Hubin Lu, which was our starting point for touring 西湖 (West Lake).

Map of ancient Hangzhou carved onto the ground

One of the many tourist boats which we took for a cruise of 西湖

雷锋塔（Lei Feng Pagoda) from a distance

On 小瀛洲 (Xiaoying Zhou) which is the largest island within 西湖. Quite a pretty place with lots of willow trees.

雷锋塔's up next! On our way into the pagoda, we saw a sculpture of 白蛇 and 许仙, together with her maid-servant, 小青．It depicts the return of 白蛇 from her imprisonment under 雷锋塔, together with her husband and son.

This is actually the remains of the foundation of the original Pagoda, which dates back to AD 975. Amazing~~. They found some artefacts inside too, which included some Buddhist relics. We were taking a break at one of the benches when we saw yet another amazing sight. This Chinese boy was running around the sacred building butt-naked..hmm. Maybe the Shanghai chicks will follow suit. I'm hoping...*drools***

View from top of the Pagoda. Escalators for the weak-knee-ed folks.

View of 西湖 from the Pagoda

Check out the wood carving that depicts the story of 白蛇. Damn detailed and intricate. Super jaw-dropping. In case you guys are wondering, the fable has it that 白蛇 is trapped underneath the Pagoda by this evil monk called 法海，and predictably, her Prince Charming, 许仙 came to her rescue.

1. One fine day, girls (白蛇＆小青） are horny. Met cute guy (@许仙); started raining. Cute guy offered to shelter them over to their boat. Love blossoms.

2. Married. Drink wine to celebrate; 白蛇 got drunk and revealed her true form--a snake, what else? 许仙 cannot take it, faints. *uh-oh*

3. In order to revive her wussy husband, 白蛇 embarked on a journey to some Godly Mountain to steal 灵芝. Got pursued by some Jaga.

4. After 许仙 wakes up, he was ungrateful (guys *rolls eyes*). He backstabbed the wife; as he approached 法海 , an evil monk, who summoned his army of crab, fish-headed, and lobster soldiers to go after his wife.

5. Epic battle continues~~

6.After the battle, 小青 super buay-song; wanted to kill 许仙 for betraying her mistress. But, 白蛇 decides to forgive him. All is well again.

7. Many years later, the happy couple had a child. However, still weak from her pregnancy, 白蛇was vulnerable to attack from 法海 who was buay-song that she won him in the previous battle. 法海 then conjures the 雷锋塔 to imprison 白蛇.

8. 许仙 raised his son well, who went on to become an Imperial scholar. Upon returning, he decided to attempt to free his mother. Buddha was touched and freed 白蛇 and turned the evil 法海 into a crab. Therefore, there's a saying that the belly of the crab resembles the bald-headed monk, and crabs walk sideways, hence the phrase　横行霸道 to describe 法海's evil ways. ( well, at least that's what the board says)

The original stupa, which in our opinion looks much nicer than the current one.