Leifeng Pagoda
Leifeng Pagoda stands on Sunset Hill on the south shore of West Lake, at 15 Nanshan Road. An adult ticket costs 40 yuan in 2026, bookable up to seven days ahead on the 「雷峰塔景区」 mini-program. From 1 May to 31 October it opens 08:00 to 20:00, with ticket sales and entry ending at 19:30, and hours are shorter in winter. What brings people here is the view at sunset, "Sunset Glow at Leifeng", one of the Ten Views of West Lake. Arrive about an hour before sunset if you want to watch from the top. If you'd rather keep the 40 yuan, the classic view of the pagoda glowing over the water is from the shore.
The rest of the lake is on the West Lake page, and the wider trip in the Hangzhou travel guide.
Old pagoda, new pagoda
Qian Chu, the last king of Wuyue, built the first pagoda in 977 to house a relic, said to be a lock of the Buddha's hair. It was badly burnt in the Ming and stood for centuries as a battered brick stump, made famous by the Legend of the White Snake, in which the snake spirit Bai Suzhen is imprisoned beneath it. Weakened further by people digging out its bricks, it finally collapsed on 25 September 1924.
The new pagoda was begun in December 2000 and opened on 25 October 2002. It is octagonal, five storeys and 71.679 metres tall, and it stands over the excavated base of the original. That base is the most interesting thing inside: you walk around the ruined Wuyue brickwork, kept under a protective structure, before going up. The upper floors have carved wooden panels telling the White Snake story and an open gallery all round.
With Leifeng rebuilt, the lake again has a pagoda at each end. Baochu Pagoda faces it from Precious Stone Hill on the north shore.
Tickets
| Ticket | 2026 price |
|---|---|
| Adult | 40 yuan |
| Ages 6 to 18, full-time students, ages 60 to 69 | 20 yuan |
| Children 6 and under or 1.2 m and under, ages 70 and over | Free |
The other free groups include serving military and people with disability certificates. Bring ID for any concession. Book on the 「雷峰塔景区」 mini-program up to seven days ahead, which is worth doing for a holiday sunset, or buy at the gate on an ordinary day.
Timing a sunset visit
The arithmetic is simple. In October sunset is around 17:30, so you have plenty of time before the 19:30 last entry. From November the pagoda closes much earlier (around 17:30 in recent winter listings), so check that day's hours on the mini-program before planning around sunset. In winter the light can be gone before you're through the gate.
- Go up the escalators to the base, walk round the ruins first, then take the lift or stairs to the top gallery.
- Find a west-facing spot on the gallery. Sunset is over the hills beyond the lake, with the Su Causeway as a dark line across the water.
- Stay after sunset. The pagoda's lights come on, and the walk down is pleasant in the dusk.
Skipping the climb? The best-known photo of Leifeng, the pagoda lit against the sky, is taken from outside, from the lakeshore paths near Nanshan Road or from the Su Causeway. That works after closing time too.
Across Nanshan Road is Jingci Temple, whose evening bell ("Evening Bell at Nanping Hill") is another of the Ten Views. The temple's hours are its own, so check them if you want both.
Getting there
Buses 4, 315 and 52 stop near the gate, as do the West Lake inner and outer loop buses. On foot it is about 20 minutes from the south end of the Su Causeway, which makes it the natural end point for a day on the lake. Afterwards, Hefang Street is a short taxi ride for dinner.
Lingyin is on the other side of the lake, so keep Lingyin Temple for another day.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Leifeng Pagoda?
40 yuan for adults in 2026, 20 yuan for students, under-18s and ages 60 to 69, and free for under-6s and over-70s.
What time does Leifeng Pagoda close?
From May to October, 20:00, with last entry at 19:30. Hours are shorter from November, so check the official mini-program for the day.
Is Leifeng Pagoda worth climbing?
For the sunset and the original foundations inside, yes. If you just want the classic photo of the pagoda, it is taken from the shore, for free.
Is Leifeng Pagoda original?
No. The original collapsed in 1924. The present pagoda was completed in 2002 over the original's foundations, which you can see inside.