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Jade Emperor Hill stands between the West
Lake and Qiantang River with an elevation of 239 meters. In Tang Dynasty,
it was called as “Jade Pillar Hill” and changed to “Yuewang Hill”
in Five Dynasties. The present name was given in Ming Dynasty when
a Taoist temple called Lucky Star was built on the hill and a shrine
of Jade Emperor put in it. It was known as one of the three Taoist
temples at West Lake in the late Qing Dynasty. Standing on the top
of the hill, you can enjoy a very nice view of the hill-bordering
West Lake and the sail – studded Qiantang River. Currently, a pavilion
called “Ascend-the-Cloud ” was built on the top. Climbing up the pavilion,
you will see the clouds scurrying past your feet. Therefore this scene
is called as “Clouds Scurrying over Jade Emperor Hill”.
The top of the hill can be reached by a more-than-4-kilometers long
road which winds its way 2.5 times around the hill, or by a 2600-steps
footpath. The major attractions on the hill include Purple Source
Cave, Eight Trigrams Field and Seven-Star Pavilion. Purple Source
Cave, one of the “seven ancient caves of West Lake”, locates on the
half-way up the hill and has another deed cave containing three different
size ones. In front of the cave, there is a nice garden with rockery.
Looking down from the garden, you can see the Eight Trigrams Field.
This field situates at the southern foot of Jade Emperor Hill and
it is said to have been tended by a emperor himself during the Southern
Song Dynasty. Above the Purple Source Cave, there is Seven – Star
Pavilion. Originally, seven iron vats which were arranged in the form
of the Big Dipper stood beside the pavilion. It was believed this
kind of arrangement can control the Fire Dragon or fires in Hangzhou.
Specialty: To view the hill bordering West Lake and the sail studded
Qiantang River.
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