West Lake - Three Pools Mirroring the Moon Santan Yinyue

These three round stone pagodas, each little more than 2m/6.5ft high and known as The Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, rise up out of the lake near the south bank of The Island in the Little Ocean.

They were erected in 1621 on the spot where the prefect Su Shi had built three older pagodas which were soon destroyed. The original intention was that the buildings would serve to prevent the local people from growing aquatic plants there and thus avoid mud collecting around them.

Today the pagodas serve quite a different purpose - they entertain tourists with subtle illuminated displays. In the twilight of the evening a burning candle is placed behind one of the five round windows which is covered with tissue paper. When the moonlight falls on the pagodas charming lighting effects are then mirrored on the surface of the water.