Leifeng Pagoda, rising above West Lake's south shore, is a fascinating window on Chinese culture and history as well as a wonderful place from which to view Hangzhou's famed lake. The pagoda we see today was rebuilt atop the ruins of the old, collapsed one, opening to the public (complete with four elevators) in 2002. The old pagoda, dating back to 957 AD had collapsed because one too many of the "lucky" bricks, reputed to have healing powers, that had formed the pagoda's base had been snatched away by a believer, ultimately bringing some very bad luck indeed upon the structure itself, which tumbled into a heap in 1927.
By 1999, the Hangzhou government had decided, however, that such a potential tourist attraction (and, perhaps, source of luck) needed rebuilding, and up the "restored" pagoda went. Today, as before, it's a fine spot from which to take in a West Lake sunset (though perhaps a bit more crowded than it was in centuries prior). Just don't try grabbing any bricks from the foundation. Your luck will likely take a quick turn for the worse; security will see to it.