Awed by One of China's Three West Lakes in Huizhou - A Fantastic Cultural and Educational Experience!

The Westlake in Hangzhou is a very famous scenic area in China where we would like to visit someday but never have the opportunity to do so as yet. However, we were plesantly surprised to learn that there is another Westlake in Huizhou where we could visit this time on our China trip! In fact we learned that there are three Westlake in China: 1. Westlake in Hangzhou 2. Westlake in Huizhou 3. Westlake in Yingzhou.

Huizhou West Lake is a manificent scenic spot attracting over 1 million visitors annually. It is quite a sizeable place with a total area of a little over 20 square km with the water area about 3 square km. West Lake's beauty is structured around its iconic 'Six Lakes, Nine Bridges, and Eighteen Scenic spots". Each of these six lakes has its own character while the Nine Bridges connect the islets and traverse the lakes serving as both functional pathways and picturesque landmarks.

It is a beautiful park with lots of history. The lake was named "West Lake' by the famous Northern Song poet Su Dongpo during his exile in Huizhou( 1094 -1097). He drew parallels between its beauty and Hangzhou's West Lake, composing poems and writing extensively about its landscapes and beauty leaving a lasting cultural mark. Su Dongpo made much contributions to Huizhou, including funding the construction of Su Causeway and the West New Bridge, significantly enhancing the lake's infrastructure and cultural legacy.

Though it was drizzling, we continued our nature scenic walk on one of the trails and came across many beatufil scenic spots - a colourful ancient pagoda, a beautiful resting area with cute wooden tables and benches, tall majestic trees covered with poems written on long strips of fabric hanging down from their branches, a wooden tea house whose walls decorated with Chinese calligraphy overlooking the peaceful lake. We sipped our Dongpo tea and enjoyed this fabulous lakeview on the patio chairs and table beside the lake. The scenery took my breath away! I didn't want to leave this place at all.

Huizhou West Lake is more than just a picturesque lake. It is a cultural experience where history, poetry, nature and legend harmoniously intertwine, offering a peaceful and enriching escape from the bustle of modern life. There is no admission to the West Lake making it accessible to all visitors.

The Huizhou West Lake has been a source of inspiration for poets and artists for over 1,600 years. We were grateful to have the opportunity of visiting this spectacular lake on this trip. It was a fantsstic cultural and educational experience within a breathtaking mesmerizing setting of lakes, trees and ancient architecture! R.T. West Lake Huizhou, China 28625