Gu Shan is a wonderful combination of nature and history. Not only does one have a chance to appreciate sites of historical and cultural interest, but also to enjoy the nature scenery from the foot of the hill to its highest peak. In addition, Gu Shan is a vantage point for viewing surrounding scenery of both of Gu Shan itself and of West lake.

** Two Peaks Embracing the Sky

North Peak and South Peak are on northeast and northwest ends of Hangzhou's West Lake, in Zhejiang Province. The peaks face each other from a distance of five kilometers. North Peak at 355 meters is taller than South Peak, which is 256.9 meters.

At one time a Buddhist monastery adorned each of the peaks. They became leading tourist attractions in the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279). After some years the buildings fell down in ruin. The place was totally forgotten by travelers until the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The emperor Kangxi saw the peaks during a tour of West Lake, and named it "Twin Peaks Embracing the Sky" for posterity and had pavilion with an inscribed stone pillar erected at Hongchun Bridge on Lingyin Road to memorialize the wonderful attraction.

You may relive the moment when the emperor Kangxi saw the twin peaks by taking a boat ride on West Lake in either spring or autumn.

One hears pine trees rustling in the wind while climbing up the winding path. One is rewarded with a commanding view of the city of Hangzhou and the West Lake when one reaches the top of either peak. No wonder that artists find it a visitor's shrine.

** Lingyin Temple (Temple of the Soul's Retreat)

You will find Lingyin Temple in a long, narrow valley between Fei Lai Feng (Peak flown from Afar) and North Peak to the northwest of the West Lake at Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province. The temple is without doubt a premier showpiece in the West Lake environs and is notable also as one of the ten most famous Buddhist temples of China. In 1961 the temple was listed for protection as a key provincial historical and cultural site and is considered a leading center for research relative to Chinese Buddhist culture.

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