Three Pools Mirroring the Moon

About

Three Pools Mirroring the Moon occupies waters south of West Lake’s largest artificial island, Xiaoyingzhou, where three small stone towers rise in a triangular arrangement. Each hollow, gourd-shaped structure has round openings near the top; according to tradition, lamps placed inside during the Mid-Autumn Festival cast points of light onto the water, multiplying moon, flame and reflection. The towers have become a national image through their appearance on the reverse of China’s one-yuan banknote, yet their effect depends on the surrounding expanse of lake rather than on size. Xiaoyingzhou itself is a refined water garden built through dredging and embankment construction, with an outer ring enclosing inner ponds crossed by bridges and causeways. This “island within a lake and lake within an island” arrangement turns movement through pavilions, lotus pools and framed openings into a sequence of changing perspectives. The three towers were established in their present form during the Ming and Qing development of West Lake, recalling earlier markers associated with water management. Together, island and pagodas embody the Hangzhou art of transforming hydraulic structures into poetic scenery rich in lunar and literary symbolism.

Highlights

• Iconic island on West Lake
• Scene on 1 CNY banknote
• Night moonlight lake tradition
• Classical Chinese island garden

Amenities

Why go

• Visit Three Pools Mirroring the Moon to experience iconic island on west lake.
• Spend time on scene on 1 cny banknote rather than treating it as a quick photo stop.
• The experience is rounded out by night moonlight lake tradition.

Know before you go

• Allow about 60m on site, excluding transfers and queues.
• Confirm current opening hours, ticket rules, temporary closures, and entry restrictions before departure.
• Carry the local-language name and address for navigation, taxi, or entrance checks.

Tips

• Choose the visit period according to live opening information, weather, and the surrounding route.
• Group the stop with nearby places to reduce backtracking and keep a realistic transfer buffer.
• Carry water, weather protection, and the local-language place name when conditions require them.