Legend of the White Snake (白蛇传)
The Legend of the White Snake, an intangible cultural heritage since 2006 and one of the China's Four Great Folktales is at the same time the most popular of all Hangzhou tales.
Hundreds of years ago, a white snake who lived in West Lake somehow managed to master Taoist magic. She transformed herself into a human being, a beautiful woman named Bai Suzhen (白素貞 or 白娘子). During one rainy day, while walking down the Broken Bridge on the West Lake she met Xu Xian (许仙). They instantly in love. Without knowing her secret, Xu Xuan proposed and two of them got married. They opened a pharmacy where they both worked and moved into a small, but cozy house nearby, where they lived happily.
Unfortunately for them, a Buddhist monk called Fahai (法海) knew Bai Suzhen’s secret. He was set on exposing her as a white snake she actually was.
During one celebration, he approached Xu Xian and convinced him to let his wife Bai Suzhen drink realgar wine (雄黃酒) (type of rice wine used as a repellent against snakes and insects since ancient times). After a single sip, Bai Suzhen turned into a large white snake. Her husband, Xu Xian, died of shock after seeing that his wife is not human. Inconsolable Bai Suzhen swore to do everything in her power to bring him back to life.
That meant traveling to Mount Emei (峨眉山) to steal a magical herb, a rule that a snake spirit was never supposed to break. That did not stop her and she succeeded in bringing her husband back from to life. His love for her hasn’t changed at all. If anything, he loved her even more after everything she went through.
Seeing that his plan did not work, Fahai decided to imprison Xu Xian in Jinshan Temple (金山寺). Once again on a quest to save her husband, this time pregnant with a child, Bai Suzhen unleashed the waters and flooded the temple. Her power was not as strong as it was before pregnancy, and she did not succeed in releasing Xu Xian. Nevertheless, after numerous attempts, Xu Xian managed to escape and reunite with her and their newborn son in Hangzhou.
Fahai tracked them down, defeated Bai Suzhen and imprisoned her in Leifeng Pagoda (雷峰塔). He vowed she would never be free until the lake dried up or the pagoda collapsed.
Poor Bai Suzhen spent 20 years under the pagoda, but she wasn't forgotten. Her son's love and filial piety moved Heaven and despite the fact that the pagoda was still standing and the lake was full of water as ever, she was released. The family reunited and lived happily ever since. Fahai never succeeded in hurting them again.
There are many versions of the legend, including different endings, different beginnings, additional characters and different plots, but this one is the most widely accepted.
In 1924, the Leifeng Pagoda actually collapsed. Locals swear that a beautiful woman was seen emerging from the ruins.
Fahai was an actual historical figure. Born as Pei Wende (裴文德), he was a monk who lived in Tang dynasty and was connected to Zen Buddhism. After becoming a monk he took the name Fahai. His role of a villain in the Legend of the White Snake stands in a complete contrast to the life he actually led. He was humble, non-violent Buddhist monk who dedicated his life helping locals with agricultural, building temples and translating Buddhist sutras. The history knows him by the enlightenment he achieved through asceticism. In fact, in the early versions of the Legend of the West Lake, he was portrayed as a positive figure, a guardian of Leifeng Pagoda. It was only recently that Fahai’s reputation gradually shaped into a negative one.
Butterfly Lovers (梁祝)
Zhu Yingtai (祝英台) was the ninth child and the only daughter of the wealthy Zhu family from the nearby city. Although women were traditionally discouraged from attending university, she managed to convince her father to allow her to attend classes, disguise as a man. That is how Zhu Yingtai got a chance to study in Wansong Academy (万松书院) in Hangzhou. On her way there she met Liang Shanbo (梁山伯) and they became inseparable.
After three years in Wansong Academy, at her father's request, she had to end her studies and return home. She did so, still without telling Liang Shanbo the truth about her being a woman.
Weeks had passed, he was missing his friend and decided to pay “him” a visit. Once there, he found out that his best friend was actually a woman. Without any reluctance he asked for her hand in marriage. Unfortunately, parents did not agree, they have already arranged her marriage with someone else. Liang Shanbo left and not long after he died of broken heart. On Zhu Yingtai’s wedding day, her wedding procession was supposed to pass by Liang Shanbo's grave. All of a sudden, the strong wind stopped the procession right at the place where he was buried. The procession was not able to move a single step further, and Zhu Yingtai asked for permission to get of the carriage and pay respects. Since the procession was not able to move, no one could object. Once at the grave, she passionately started praying for the grave to open so she could join her true love. That is exactly what happened. Without hesitation she jumped inside. Moments later, a pair of butterflies flew out of the grave never to be separated again.
King Qian Shoots the Tide (钱王射潮)
Legend King Qian Shoots the Tide (钱王射潮) tells a story about the God of Tide and the embankment of the Qiantang River. You can read it here.
Legend of the West Lake Creation (西湖明珠传）
Long time ago Jade Dragon (玉龙) and Golden Phoenix (金凤) discovered a magnificent pebble of pure white jade while they were playing at the Immortal Island in the Sky. They spent years polishing it until it turned into a beautiful shining pearl (明珠). It wasn’t only the beauty of the pearl that was delightful, but also the fact that wherever the light of the pearl shone grains, flowers, and trees would grow.
Not surprisingly, the pearl attracted the attention of the Queen Mother (王母). She sent her generals to steal it. One morning when Jade Dragon and Golden Phoenix woke up, the pearl was nowhere to be found.
They spent years looking for it. Then one day they saw light coming from the sky, enlightening the whole earth. Realizing that it must have something to do with their beloved pearl, Jade Dragon and Golden Phoenix rushed towards it. They followed the light until they reached the Queen Mother who was celebrating her birthday. Tired of keeping the pearl out of sight for many years, she could not resist showing it to her guests on this special occasion. Jade Dragon and Golden Phoenix, excited and upset at the same time, rushed to the Queen Mother and tried to snatch the pearl away. She would not let go and during the fierce struggle, the pearl dropped down. Jade Dragon and Golden Phoenix followed, flying left and right below the pearl, in order to slow down the fall. Their plan worked and the pearl landed gently, despite the altitude it fell from. The second it touched the ground, the pearl turned into a crystal green West Lake. Jade Dragon and Golden Phoenix turned into Jade Emperor Mountain (玉皇山) and Phoenix Hill (凤凰山), eternal guards of the West Lake.
These two localities in Hangzhou are absolutely amazing. They are full of hidden pathways. The pathways are full of treasures: inscriptions, stone statues, ponds and temples. There are very few tourists in this part of Hangzhou, which makes it even more magical. You will feel like you are in your own personal fairytale. The whole area gives off a vague impression that somehow everything (whatever that might be) begins here. Read more here.
The Legend of Ji Gong, the Mad Monk or the Living Buddha (济公传）
Jigong (济公) (1130 or 1148–1209), commonly known as Li Xiuyuan (李修缘), was a Buddhist monk from present-day Tiantai County, close to Hangzhou. After losing both of his parents at the age of 18 he was ordained as a monk first in Guoqing Temple (国清寺), and then in Lingyin Temple (灵隐寺) in Hangzhou.
However, Ji Gong had a problem following the strict monastery order. He could not concentrate on meditation and openly drank alcohol and ate meat. Bewildered and fed up with his behavior, other monks eventually sent him on a task to wonder the streets of Hangzhou, where he could be of practical value to people of while spreading Buddhism. This role fit him perfectly. Unburdened by the appearance he would walk the streets of Hangzhou wearing tattered robes, torn hat, carrying a fan (or a shoe) in one hand and bottle gourd filled with wine in another one. He turned out to be of immense help to ordinary people. He was kind to those in need and brave enough to stand up for their rights. He helped solve problems, cured diseases and shared food with everyone. That brought him immense popularity. Anecdotes from his life are still being passed from one generation to another.
One of the most popular stories is the story about the Peak Flown from Afar. According to the legend, Ji Gong had the ability to see into the future. That is how he “saw” that a huge rock flying from nowhere was about to bury a village in front of the Lingyin Temple. He tried to warn the villagers and evacuate them, but no one believed him. Desperate to do something, and seeing wedding procession he came up with an idea. He decided to abduct the bride and ran away. The guests, followed by the residents started chasing him, leaving the village behind. Suddenly, a mountain fell from the sky and landed right in the middle of the village they have just left. The village was destroyed, but not a single one of the villagers lost his/her life.
Even today you may occasionally see someone dressed like Ji Gong walking the streets of Hangzhou. As soon as he is spotted by locals, he will find himself surrounded by crowd cheering and taking photos.
Ji Gong, the “living Buddha” (济公活佛) eventually ended up as a deity. He is now officially included in Taoist and Chinese Buddhist pantheon.
The interesting fact is that in the last 150 years, mediums all around China have claimed to receive texts from Ji Gong through spirit writing, known as Fuji (扶乩/扶箕). Fuji practice, was prohibited during Qing dynasty (1644-1912), but nevertheless survived until today. It is currently practiced at Daoist temples and folk shrines in Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Malaysia.
Legend of the Peak Flown from Afar（飞来峰的传说）
Feilai Peak (飞来峰), one of the top Hangzhou attractions, opposite the Temple of Soul’s Retreat (灵隐寺) is made of limestone. Limestone is not often in this part of China which makes this hill quite different from the rest of the surrounding terrain. The peak, 168 m high, is full of caves, rocks of interesting shapes and Buddhist statues.
According to legend, more than 1600 years ago, the Indian monk Huili (慧理) came to Hangzhou. Seeing this peak, he concluded it must have flown in from Tian Zhu Guo (天竺国), which is a Chinese name for ancient India, because this kind of stone formations were quite common there. Hence the name Peak Flown from Afar.
Legend of the Su Xiaoxiao (苏小小)
Su Xiaoxiao (479 –501), was a historical figure, a famous Hangzhou poet. She was known for her intellect, literary talent and beauty.
According to one of many legends she fell in love with Ruan Yu (阮郁) and he fell in love with her. However, his parents were against this romance. Ruan Yu was summoned by his father and ordered not to see her again. This broke her heart and she died. According to historical records, she was only 19 years old. That did not stop her from leaving a legacy through her poems and from serving as an inspiration to numerous Chinese writers and artists.
She was buried next to the Xiling Bridge (西泠桥) and rested there for more than a thousand years. Her tomb was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution (1966 - 1976). It was rebuilt in 2004 but without remains. The current tomb is empty.
One of her famous poems, known as "Song of the West Tomb", "Song of Xiling Lake", "Song of Su Xiaoxiao" or "Song of the Same Heartbeat"is below:
妾乘油壁车，
郎跨青骢马，
何处结同心，
西泠松柏下 。
“I ride in a decorated carriage,
My darling rides a blue-white horse.
Where should we tie the knot for our heart?
Under the Xiling pine and cypress.”
Explanation:
Dark blue circles with book mark places connected to above mentioned legends.
I also added places where you can have lunch in the surrounding area,
or a coffee and a cake.
In case you find this confusing, open the drop-down by clicking the symbol in the top left corner and uncheck what you do not want to see.
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