5 Perfect Spots to Capture West Lake's Romantic Sunset in 30 Minutes

At 5pm, Jixian Pavilion overlooks the lake surface glittering like scattered gold. Squeezing through the crowd with my phone, I watch the sunset paint Leifeng Pagoda in honey colors. In the ripples left by passing boats, I see the scene from Bai Juyi's poem - "half the river shimmering, half the river red." Photography enthusiasts set up their tripods, waiting for that perfect moment when the last ray of light kisses the pagoda's peak. Spot 1: Golden Hour at Changqiao Park Golden willows sway by Changqiao Bridge, where newlyweds take wedding photos on the lawn, their backlit hair gleaming. Through telephoto lenses aimed at Leifeng Pagoda, the entire structure transforms into glowing amber when the setting sun aligns perfectly with its top. Ladies in Hanfu crossing the stone bridge have their flowing garments gilded by the warm light. Spot 2: The Living Scroll of Beishan Street Phoenix trees on Beishan Street filter orange light spots, as traffic flows through the light and shadows. On the stone steps of Xiaxia Pavilion, couples embrace while gazing toward Broken Bridge, as Baochu Pagoda stands gracefully in the twilight. Suddenly, a white egret glides across the lake, its wings touched by the lingering warmth of sunset. Spot 3: God's Eye View from Baoshi Mountain Climbing the stone steps to Hama Peak, the panorama of West Lake suddenly unfolds before you. The lake surface resembles crumpled silk, with boats floating like gold leaf. The purple-brown rocks of Baoshi Mountain turn honey-colored, while Baochu Pagoda casts its diagonal shadow across Bai Causeway. Spot 4: Cinematic Benches on Gushan Road The phoenix tree-lined avenue of Gushan is stretched long by the setting sun, where elderly couples sit on benches peeling oranges that glisten in the light. Through telephoto lenses at low angles, sunlight breaks into spots between trees, while Bai Causeway in the distance looks like a glowing silk ribbon. Spot 5: Orange Sea at Liuhe Pagoda The reed marshes of Liuhe Cultural Park shimmer golden, while puddles on the mudflats mirror the orange-red sky. Girls in white dresses run across the wooden boardwalk, casting long shadows in the sunset. Across the water, Qiantang River Bridge becomes golden harp strings, with trains slowly passing by. As dusk falls on West Lake, lights begin to twinkle, while my phone gallery fills with shots of "egg yolk suns" and clouds. West Lake's twilight truly hides in every fold of the remaining light. Tomorrow brings another sunset, and I'll always look forward to our next encounter.