My West Lake 'Tour Guide' Gig for Friends? Total FLOP! This double whammy of WTF – anyone else feel this?!

[Zachary Hayes]

Sigh, ladies, let me tell you! I was super excited to take my out-of-town friend for a night stroll along the famous West Lake (aka the renowned West Lake ) so that she could experience the romance mentioned in Tang poetry about “whether it is lightly made up or gorgeously arrayed, it is always appropriate.” In reality, however, what I thought would be a romantic trip turned out to be ruined by two unexpected surprises!

• Around 9 PM, we were strolling from the North Road of West Lake to the pier near Youth Palace (Children's Palace) when all of a sudden, we heard thunderous loudspeakers . Before I had a chance to react, a badly-off-key version of the once-popular rock song "Love Even After Death" (although not popular today, it was once well-known) practically slapped us in the face.
• What caught our eyes: Holy moly! The Western Lake and the area around it including the intersection of North Road of West Lake and Bashucun, and the two sides of Youth Palace Square were filled with open-air KTV stalls!
  • High-power speakers bellowing.
  • Singers belting like no tomorrow.
  • Bystanders cheering and whistling, causing earsplitting noise.
  • An evening that was supposed to be tranquil and quiet, had been thoroughly disrupted.
• We shouted at the top of our voices for ten minutes but ended up hardly understanding each other, and our voice almost gave out .
  • Instead, my friend's experience, like the stories of the love legend of Bai Jisuan (famous myth about the West Lake), and the West Lake's Ten Scenic Spots, were all drowned out by the cacophony
  • And all those electrically-powered tricycle food stalls spread everywhere, with food who knows the state of their hygiene! My friend was confused and puzzled, making me as embarrassed as if there were three bedrooms and a living room between my toes.

Upon closer observation, I realized that all the commotion behind was due to poor management!

• These open-air KTV stalls have no soundproofing measures;
• Stall owners occupy public spaces at will;
• No managers seen throughout.
• Occasionally, when security guards patrol, the stalls quickly close their doors; once they depart, the stalls reopen, playing cat-and-mouse with the security personnel.

Attention to Night Tourists of West Lake (near North Street Youth Palace) !

• Ongoing high-decibel noise, akin to a dull knife slowly cutting into your good mood!
  • The Issue: Rather than enjoying a serene view, one is immediately greeted by an off-key rock song as soon as they sit down. The bench shakes, and the heart pounds with each note.
  • Recommendation: If searching for peace and quiet, the North Street area may not be suitable during evening nights. Consider visiting in the daytime or choosing some quieter areas of West Lake instead.
• Disappointing shooting experience!
  • The Problem: Planning to capture beautiful scenery was interrupted by unpleasant background noises. This led to several failed attempts before giving up on filming, nearly prompting a phone-smashing rage.
  • A Friend's Experience: My friend’s picturesque photo moments were thwarted by the tunes coming from stalls. Desiring traditional Chinese-style photos by the lake, the music, and people’s laughter caused our attempts to backfire.
  • Recommendations: If meticulous about shooting conditions, avoid these KTV congregations. Alternatively, mentally prepare for this lively background sound.
• Impact sleep quality!
  • The Problem: The noise dragged on until late night. After returning to the hotel, my head was filled with those off-key tunes, making it difficult to sleep and resulting in dark eye circles the next day. My plans of more exploration were subsequently lost too.
  • Advice: Those sensitive to sounds, or those with accommodations close to this area, might want to consider bringing earplugs.

"This is really West Lake? It’s so much different than the promotional films I saw online… “ my friend whispered, puzzled by the chaos and mayhem around us. In that moment, there was nothing but guilt within me. As a local, I had been looking forward to showcasing the best of Hangzhou, but reality beat me down hard.

What should have been the serene West Lake with moon rays lighting up the lake, glittering waves, and the scents of flowers carried by the gentle night breeze—now turned into pure chaos and mess.

The West Lake is Hangzhou's jewel, a perfect destination, and many idealize it as the epitome of romance. I sincerely hope that relevant departments will swiftly address these issues and rectify management problems! Let tourists, who come with big hopes, not carry disappointments back home. Do not let this "pearl of earth" be dimmed by these chaotic noises and vendors!

[Iris Marquardt]

The loudspeakers at the Children's Palace square really cheapen the place. I noticed it last time I passed by.