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Ten reasons for poets and lovers to adore West Lake
By Wang Jie |
May 22, 2009, Friday
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The Ten Scenes of West Lake capture the legend of Hangzhou's top scenic attraction. Each of the scenes has a name that makes it perfect for lovers and poets. Wang Jie explores.
"Rippling waters shimmering on the sunny day,
Misty mountains shrouded in rain,
Plain or gaily dressed like Xizi,
West Lake is always alluring."
This was written by Su Dongpo, the most famous poet of the Song Dynasty (960-1279) about West Lake and it captures some of the magic that can still be found there today.
Regarded by most as China's most beautiful lake, West Lake has for centuries worked its charm for those who gaze upon it.
And the Ten Scenes of West Lake capture the legend of Hangzhou's top scenic attraction.
Just looking at the names, the 10 scenes are poetic and romantic, all perfect for lovers or poets.
Let's start in the middle of West Lake on the Su Causeway.
Spring Dawn at Su Causeway
苏堤春晓
This is a thin strip of land, 2.8 kilometers long edged with peach trees and weeping willows. Early in the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), Spring Dawn at Su Causeway°?°? was listed at the top of the Ten Scenes of West Lake.°?°?
It is a great delight to take a leisurely stroll along the Su Causeway in spring, with the blossoming peach trees adding color next to the weeping willows: the pale pinks contrast with the light greens; birds cheerfully chirp among the swaying branches. The scene is guaranteed to bring calm and joy to any visitor.
Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor
花港观鱼
This is actually a park of 21 hectares on a peninsula in the southwest corner of West Lake. True to its name, goldfish of different sizes and species are the stars here. It is said that there are about 5,000 goldfish in the park. At its heart, the Red Fish Pond, an abundance of brightly colored fish, always attracts visiting children.
The park is also noted for the way it merges the traditional Chinese garden and Western garden styles.
Three Pools Mirroring the Moon
三潭印月
For Chinese, the moon is a symbol of romance, tranquility and harmony.
When admiring the moon, there is no place as perfect as the three pools°?°? on West Lake. It is in front of a pavilion on the Lesser Yingzhou Isle in the lake.
The three pools actually refer to the three gourd-shaped stupas (Buddhist spiritual monuments) in the lake. It is said that the three stupas were built centuries ago to ward off evil spirits. The hollow stupa has five round openings in it. When candles are lit inside at night, the light seen through the openings looks like tiny moons, making a beautiful contrast with the lake°??sreflection of the real moon. This is the scene described as one moon in the sky, three shadows on the lake.°?°?
Sunset Glow at Leifeng Pagoda
雷峰夕照
Originally built in the 10th century, Leifeng Pagoda used to stand in front of the Jingxi Temple on Nanping Mountain.
Because of its location, the pagoda appears majestic especially under the rays of the setting sun.
The name was actually bestowed by Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
But with the passing of time, the pagoda collapsed in the early 1900s.
To restore the traditional Ten Scenes of West Lake,°?°? Leifeng Pagoda was reconstructed in 2002 by the municipal government of Hangzhou. There was a grand opening night with hundreds of monks praying outside the pagoda.
Some ruins from the old pagoda are on display there.
Evening Bell at Nanping Hill
难平晚钟
This is one of the Ten Scenes of West Lake°?°? with a long history. In the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), a distinguished artist, Zhang Zeduan, created a painting titled Evening Bell at Nanping Hill.°?°?
Stretching along the southern bank of the lake, Nanping Hill features odd-shaped rocks and green forests. Formed from limestone, Nanping Hill has many caves and crevices.
At dusk, as the sun slowly drifts across the lake, the huge bell at Jingxi Temple rings a farewell to the last sunbeam of the day. When the bell is rung, its sonorous sound echoes through the caves and crevices, even reaching the far shore of West Lake. And then the Geshan Hill sends the sound back over the lake.
(More scenes on Monday)
"Rippling waters shimmering on the sunny day,
Misty mountains shrouded in rain,
Plain or gaily dressed like Xizi,
West Lake is always alluring."
This was written by Su Dongpo, the most famous poet of the Song Dynasty (960-1279) about West Lake and it captures some of the magic that can still be found there today.
Regarded by most as China's most beautiful lake, West Lake has for centuries worked its charm for those who gaze upon it.
And the Ten Scenes of West Lake capture the legend of Hangzhou's top scenic attraction.
Just looking at the names, the 10 scenes are poetic and romantic, all perfect for lovers or poets.
Let's start in the middle of West Lake on the Su Causeway.
Spring Dawn at Su Causeway
苏堤春晓
This is a thin strip of land, 2.8 kilometers long edged with peach trees and weeping willows. Early in the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), Spring Dawn at Su Causeway°?°? was listed at the top of the Ten Scenes of West Lake.°?°?
It is a great delight to take a leisurely stroll along the Su Causeway in spring, with the blossoming peach trees adding color next to the weeping willows: the pale pinks contrast with the light greens; birds cheerfully chirp among the swaying branches. The scene is guaranteed to bring calm and joy to any visitor.
Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor
花港观鱼
This is actually a park of 21 hectares on a peninsula in the southwest corner of West Lake. True to its name, goldfish of different sizes and species are the stars here. It is said that there are about 5,000 goldfish in the park. At its heart, the Red Fish Pond, an abundance of brightly colored fish, always attracts visiting children.
The park is also noted for the way it merges the traditional Chinese garden and Western garden styles.
Three Pools Mirroring the Moon
三潭印月
For Chinese, the moon is a symbol of romance, tranquility and harmony.
When admiring the moon, there is no place as perfect as the three pools°?°? on West Lake. It is in front of a pavilion on the Lesser Yingzhou Isle in the lake.
The three pools actually refer to the three gourd-shaped stupas (Buddhist spiritual monuments) in the lake. It is said that the three stupas were built centuries ago to ward off evil spirits. The hollow stupa has five round openings in it. When candles are lit inside at night, the light seen through the openings looks like tiny moons, making a beautiful contrast with the lake°??sreflection of the real moon. This is the scene described as one moon in the sky, three shadows on the lake.°?°?
Sunset Glow at Leifeng Pagoda
雷峰夕照
Originally built in the 10th century, Leifeng Pagoda used to stand in front of the Jingxi Temple on Nanping Mountain.
Because of its location, the pagoda appears majestic especially under the rays of the setting sun.
The name was actually bestowed by Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
But with the passing of time, the pagoda collapsed in the early 1900s.
To restore the traditional Ten Scenes of West Lake,°?°? Leifeng Pagoda was reconstructed in 2002 by the municipal government of Hangzhou. There was a grand opening night with hundreds of monks praying outside the pagoda.
Some ruins from the old pagoda are on display there.
Evening Bell at Nanping Hill
难平晚钟
This is one of the Ten Scenes of West Lake°?°? with a long history. In the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), a distinguished artist, Zhang Zeduan, created a painting titled Evening Bell at Nanping Hill.°?°?
Stretching along the southern bank of the lake, Nanping Hill features odd-shaped rocks and green forests. Formed from limestone, Nanping Hill has many caves and crevices.
At dusk, as the sun slowly drifts across the lake, the huge bell at Jingxi Temple rings a farewell to the last sunbeam of the day. When the bell is rung, its sonorous sound echoes through the caves and crevices, even reaching the far shore of West Lake. And then the Geshan Hill sends the sound back over the lake.
(More scenes on Monday)
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