The Leifeng Pagoda, first built in 976 AD on the south bank of the world famous West Lake, is almost a household name in China thanks to the popular folk tale, The Legend of the White Snake, a touching love story about a girl who changed into a snake and a young man.

In the story, the couple are separated by an evil old monk with magical power, who had the snake girl imprisoned under the Leifeng Pagoda for years. She is finally rescued by her son who caused the collapse of the pagoda.

In real life, the pagoda was constructed by the king of Wuyue, Qian Hongchu, to celebrate the birth of a son by one of his favorite concubines-Huangfei. It was therefore called Huangfei Pagoda at that time. Since the pagoda was located outside the west gate of the city, it was also known as the Brick Pagoda of West Gate. All those names, however, have been forgotten over the years; only the name Leifeng Pagoda has been passed on from generation to generation.

During the Yuan Dynasty it was a magnificent building. During the Jiaqing years (1522-66) of Ming Dynasty, Japanese invaders set fire to the pagoda, leaving only a brick skeleton. Later some superstitious and ignorant people often took bricks from the pagoda in the belief that the abrasive powder of the bricks was a magic remedy that could cure all diseases and keep a fetus from aborting. Finally, in Sep 25, 1924 the foot of the pagoda was dug hollow and other parts of the pagoda were so severely damaged that the ancient pagoda suddenly collapsed.

In Dec 26, 2000, the provincial government of Zhejiang reconstructed the pagoda on its original site. The newly-built pagoda will strictly adhere to the style and appearance of the original one, and will be 70.7 meters high with five storeys. In Oct 25, 2001, the pagoda was officially open to public.

When the sun was setting, the pagoda bathed in the sunset glow showed radiantly beautiful. It was therefore named as 'Leifeng Pagoda in Sunset Glow', being one of the 'Top Ten Sights of the West Lake'.