Hsi Hu, the Western Lake of Hanchow, has been famous as summer resort and playing ground since the Tang and Sung Dynasties. During the time of Han, however, it was called Ming Shen Hu (明聖湖) while in the time of three Kingdom, it was called Chien Tang Hu (錢塘湖), the latter name being derived from the river, Chien Tang Kiang. Since the Hanchow city was built in the Sui Dynasty which is several hundred years after Han. so the history of Hsi Hu should be reckoned as much older than the city itself. On the other hand, Hsi Hu has never been noticed in any writings before the time when Shiuchinchu (水經註) was published.