The Most Unique Attraction in West Lake: Yuanqian Lotus Field, Even the Emperor Was Amazed
When talking about tourism in Hangzhou, visitors invariably mention West Lake, which is the soul of this city and has been repeatedly sung by literati for thousands of years.
Hangzhou West Lake covers an area of 49 square kilometers. Besides White Bank, Yang Gong Bank, and Su Bank, there are countless small banks and inner lakes, with numerous attractions distributed in between. Currently, the most well-known attractions include the West Lake Ten Scenery, New West Lake Ten Scenery, and New New West Lake Ten Scenery. Among these famous sights, Quyuan Fenghe is particularly special. It is the first lotus-viewing spot in Hangzhou, and every summer, lotus flowers bloom in the breeze, creating a dreamy and magnificent spectacle. Many tourists come specifically to visit, including many foreign faces.
I have traveled to Hangzhou for tourism and business many times. Every time, I make time to visit Quyuan Fenghe to enjoy the scenery. Besides the summer lotus and spring foliage, the autumn scenery of withered leaves is also a different experience.
Quyuan Fenghe is located on the west side of West Lake, in front of Yue Fei Temple. Here, the courtyard is quiet and antique. During the Southern Song Dynasty, the location of Quyuan Fenghe was formerly a royal winery. The main buildings are built along the lake, with large areas of lotus flowers planted. In the summer, the fragrance of lotus flowers and wine intertwined, and tourists were already intoxicated before tasting the mellow wine.
Quyuan Fenghe, besides lotus fields, also has weeping willows along the shore. Here, the vegetation is lush and dense, with sunlight and clouds reflecting on the blue lake, and distant mountains are faintly hidden in the paintings.
In spring, the lotus fields have just emerged from decay, and in the drizzle, they stretch their bodies, growing upwards with the most enthusiastic attitude. At this time, you can see flower buds in the center of the lotus field, and a few lotus fairies eagerly bloom, feeling the breath of spring.
Quyuan Fenghe consists of several scenic areas, including Quyuan, Fenghe, and Jinhu Mist Forest. The Fenghe area is the main lotus-viewing area, and other areas are scattered with some lotus fields. Quyuan Fenghe's lotus flowers are not a single variety but include red lotus, white lotus, golden lotus, and twin lotus flowers.
This is a typical Jiangnan lake-style garden landscape. The lotus fields and pavilions, towers, pavilions, winding corridors, arched bridges, and pleasure boats within the scenic area are very well-matched, like poetry and painting. Along the shore, every step forward brings a sense of open space.
West Lake has always been Hangzhou's tourist signboard, and the tourism popularity of Quyuan Fenghe has never diminished from ancient times to modern times. Even the Qing Dynasty Emperor Kangxi wrote four large characters 'Quyuan Fenghe' and erected a stele in Quyuan Pavilion.
