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Rippling waters shimmering on a sunny day,
Misty mountains shrouded in rain;
Plain or gaily dressed like Xizi;
West Lake is always alluring.
 Those are the words used by celebrated Song Dynasty poet Su Dongpo (960-1127) to describe Hangzhou's West Lake. Regarded by many as China's most beautiful lake, standing on its shores, it's easy to understand Su's allusion to Xizi, reputedly ancient China's most beautiful woman. The subject of many of the country's most famous literary and artistic works, and the inspiration for countless more, West Lake has been working its charms on those who gaze upon it for centuries.
Located in Hangzhou, a medium-sized city three and a half hours outside Shanghai by coach or rail (both of which run back and forth throughout the day), the lake is a popular day trip included on many Shanghai travel itineraries. Visitors to the lake can plan to spend their time viewing the "Ten Scenes of the West Lake". A collection of ten scenic views formed during the Southern Song Dynasty, they are distributed around and within the lake, and serve to show the charms of the West Lake 鈥?through a use of varying locations, varying seasons, and varying times of day. Each scene is unique, and when taken together, are said to present the essence of West Lake scenery, and form the core of any West Lake tour.
Spring Dawn at Su Causeway
A thin strip of land nearly three kilometers long covered with peach and weeping  willow trees; in spring, with the lakeside sparkling in the morning dew, birds cheerfully chirping among swaying willow branches, the scent of peach blossoms wafting through the air, you'll question whether you're in the midst of paradise.
Lotus in the Breeze at Crooked Courtyard
During the Southern Song Dynasty, the lakeside area with an abundant growth of lotus off its shores was known as Crooked Courtyard, and was the location of a brewery. People said the smell of lotus flowers and wine blended by the cool lake breezes was intoxicating. The brewery is gone, and the area has been turned into a big park, but plenty of lotus plants still bloom off its shores. They stand gracefully erect in the lake, as if they knew they had visitors coming to admire their beauty.
Autumn Moon on Calm Lake
 At the western end of Bai Causeway is located a lakeside park which houses a stone tablet bearing the etched calligraphy of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty, which reads: 鈥淎utumn Moon on Calm Lake鈥? The lake is a special place to appreciate the moon and the effect of moonlight on the land. The moon seems especially bright over the waters. The hills look purplish bathed in the moonlight. The best time for nighttime viewing is on Mid-Autumn Day.
Melting Snow on the Broken Bridge
The stone-arched Broken Bridge is where the characters of a famous Chinese folktale, Xu Xian and a beautiful girl (who is actually a white snake), first meet and fall in love with each other.
After a snowfall, when the snow on the more exposed side has melted, with the shaded side remaining white, it looks as if a long white belt has been ripped apart on the bridge, thus earning the name 鈥淢elting Snow on the Broken Bridge鈥?
Listening to Orioles Singing in the Willows
An imperial garden during the Southern Song Dynasty, the site is now a park open to all. Featuring green willows and singing orioles, there are lawns, pavilions, and bridges that are very impressive, as well.
Viewing Fish and Lotus Ponds at Flower Pond
Flower Pond Park occupies an area of twenty-one hectares on a peninsula in the southwest corner of the lake. In its center is Red Fish Pond, where the visitor can relax to the sight of brightly colored fish and the sound of sweet birdsong. Visiting is a highly enjoyable experience.
Sunset Glow over Leifeng Pagoda
Leifeng Pagoda lies in front of Jingxi Temple on Nanping Mountain. The pagoda looks especially majestic when surrounded by the golden hues of the setting sun. Deteriorating until it actually crumbled apart, in 2002, Leifeng Pagoda was reconstructed. It now combines a traditional aesthetic with modern building techniques. Standing on the top floor of the new pagoda, affords a view of West Lake in its entirety.
Twin Peaks Soaring through the Clouds
While it's difficult to take your eyes off the tranquil waters, take time to gaze at the skies above West Lake. You'll be rewarded with the sight of two limestone mountains past the northern edge of the lake, one to the northeast and one to the northwest, five kilometers apart.
On a drizzling day in spring or autumn, the two peaks come and go amongst the drifting rain clouds.
Evening Bell at Nanping Mountain
Nanping Mountain stretches along the southern bank of the lake. At dusk, with the sun sinking into the West, a huge bell at Jingxi Temple, built on the mountain, is struck. The sound reverberates across the lake below.
Three Pools Mirroring the Moon
If you can catch one of the tour coaches that leave after dark, this one is not to be missed. Just off the southern shore of the Island of Little Oceans stand three small pagodas that seem to float on the water. Each about 2 meters high, when candles are placed inside on moonlit nights, the effect is of 4 moons dancing on the shimmering night waters. The scene is especially magical when the giant glowing moon on the night of Mid-Autumn Day is overhead.
In recent years, the people of Hangzhou have selected "Ten New Scenes of the West Lake," as well as built a few new attractions 鈥?for example a tea museum, a silk museum, etc. The ten new scenes are beautiful, and the new attractions will leave you with a greater appreciation for the area's famous commodities. But if you only have a day, it's tough to argue with the tried and true.(Text by Han Yueling and Allen Chai Photo Source:Chinaculture.org) |
