West Lake District Hangzhou, China

"Ripping water shimmering on a sunny day,
Misty mountains shrouded by the rain;
Plainly or gaily decked out like Xizi;
West Lake is always alluring."

These are the words composed by the famous Song Dynasty poet Su Dongpo (960-1127). In this poem, he compared the West Lake to Xi Zi, one of the four beauties in ancient China. These poetic sentiments depict the charm of the lake which has always been a beautiful and romantic spot since ancient times. 

Gentle Reader,

Welcome to West Lake -- Scott's favorite place, in terms of  memorable image, that we visited while in China.

This is a place for romance, for lovers.  For finding what you seek.  For being alone and simply walking the path.  For feeling the moistness of the day on your face.  For practicing Tai Chi on firm ground.

It was also a very haunting place in the grey fog.  An eerie mist.  A monochromatic day, with bursts of red umbrellas and green patches of flowing grasses.

We were to have gone on a cruise around the lake, but the grey fog prevented vision.  However, the memory of having walked this space, in the fog, with my beloved, is perhaps better than any boat ride could have offered me.

Namaste,
Marianne

West Lake (Xi Hu)

Pictures

Measuring 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) in length, 1.7 miles (2.8 kilometers) in width, and 7.5 feet (2.3 meters) in average depth, the lake has a total area of 2.5 square miles (6.5 square kilometers). It is surrounded by mountains on three sides and divided into the North Inner Lake, the Yuehu Lake, the West Inner Lake, the South Lake, and the West Outer Lake by the Bai Causeway, the Su Causeway, and the Yang Causeway. The Solitary Hill between the North Inner Lake and the West Outer Lake is the largest natural island. In addition, there are three man-made islands in the West Outer Lake: the Lesser Paradise Island, the Mid-lake Pavilion, and the Ruangong Islet; and two famous pagodas by the lake: the Leifeng Pagoda to the south and the Baochu Pagoda to the north.  Nowadays, West Lake is one of the top ten scenic areas in China, and was listed as a world cultural heritage site by UNESCO on June 24th, 2011. West Lake is famous for the romantic legends and intoxicating scenery.

 Legend
Of all the legends, the most touching one is the love story between Bai Suzhen and Xu Xian. Bai Suzhen was a white snake spirit and Xu Xian was a mortal man. They fell in love with each other at first sight, and got married very soon. But the evil monk Fa Hai attempted to separate the couple by imprisoning Xu Xian. Bai Suzhen fought against Fa Hai and tried her best to rescue his husband. But she failed and was imprisoned under the Leifeng Pagoda by the lake. Years later the couple was rescued by Xiao Qing, the sister of Baisuzhen. From then on, Bai Suzhen and Xu Xian lived together happily. Because of the moving story, the lake becomes an ideal dating place for lovers.