The Chinese, as a culture, love to rank, number and list things at least as much as a bunch of American sports fans or music geeks. Hence, one doesn't merely visit a famed attraction and see it, as it were, for oneself; rather one follows in the footsteps of millions who went before, and one heeds the collective touristic wisdom that has arisen from many centuries of group tours, list-making, phrase-coining and guide book writing. (If one doesn't, one just may be a barbarian.)

Hence, when you visit Hangzhou's West Lake (Xi Hu), you should know that there are a semi-official Ten Views of West Lake (actually, they're rather official, each being marked by a stele inscribed with four characters written in the calligraphy of the Qianlong Emperor, who ruled Qing China from 1735-1796 and kept a holiday palace on the lake). The Su Causeway (Sū Dī, 苏堤) is at the very top of the list. If you're there in the right season and are enough of an early riser, you'll be able to view the Causeway Qianlong-style, following the inscription on the stele marking the spot: "Su Causeway Spring Dawn." (Sū Dī Chūn Xiǎo, 苏堤春晓) which looks out at the causeway from West Lake's west bank.

Even if you can't make it for a spring dawn, the Su Causeway's worth a visit. At 2.8 km (1.6 mi) in length, it's the longest of the three causeways traversing the lake. Named after the Song Dynasty poet-governor who ordered it made, the causeway consists of six elegant bridges, with the embankments along the way lined with graceful willows and flowers. In the evening, the causeway is illuminated by green lights, making it a favorite spot for promenading couples.

Once you've checked the top View of West Lake off your list, you'll be ready to move on to number two: "Orioles Singing in Willows." (Liǔlàng Wén Yīng, 柳浪闻莺).

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