Baochu Pagoda

Baochu Pagoda (保俶塔 bǎochùtǎ) is known as the Landmark of Westlake. It is located just north of the lake on top of Gem Mountain (宝石山bǎoshíshān). It's small base supports 7 stories (45 meters) and makes for its distinctive slender and elegant appearance.

The name Baochu, translated directly, means "protect Chu", who, legend has it, refers to Qian Chu, the last king of Wuyue. As the story goes, one of King Chu's ministers had the temple constructed for prayers to be said for his safe return from a trip he had taken to Kaifeng, in central China. He had been summoned there by the Emperor and had been gone many days with no news of his return.

It was originally constructed in 963 and stood 9 stories tall. It's most recent reconstruction, in 1933, left it slightly shorter, 7 stories, and it has most recently had it's lantern replaced on it's top, though it's previous one is on display near the pagoda. It is constructed of brick and stone and contains no internal staircase. The tower lies next to a path that runs the length of Westlake's northern mountain range and is accessible by both dirt paths and cement stairs from nearly every side of the mountain.