It is said that the beauty of Slender West Lake is the right word "thin". Only by being immersed in it can you appreciate her winding and winding, just like a streamer on the waist of a lady, winding and flowing, elegant and charming. On December 7, 2009, the reporter took the opportunity of visiting Jiangnan to wander the beautiful scenery of Slender West Lake and truly felt that "there are six West Lakes in the world". Only the Slender West Lake in Yangzhou is unique to other lakes with its delicate and graceful style.

Crossing the Yangtze River to Yangzhou (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

In Zhenjiang, I learned that Yangzhou was only across the river, so I took a taxi from Zhenjiang to the Yangtze River Ferry. After crossing the river by ferry, I walked for about an hour and came to the Bonsai Garden in Slender West Lake in Yangzhou. Although this is the second time I have come here, the memories of the 17 years gone have long disappeared. I thought I could enter Slender West Lake from here. In fact, the Bonsai Garden is only part of Slender West Lake and is not connected to the lake.

Slender West Lake Bonsai Garden (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

Bonsai Garden is located in the southeast of Slender West Lake. In fact, it is also part of Slender West Lake. Although there are no well-known attractions, the scenery is equally pleasant. There are mainly four scenic spots here: "Juandong Sky","Xiyuan Qushui" and "Hongqiao Xiuxi". Another scenic spot,"Lvyang City", has not yet been restored. In addition to tree stump bonsai, the park also displays a large number of water and stone bonsai. There are many types of stones used, including axe splitting stones, turtle patterns, sand stones, stalactites, etc. The scattered stones are stacked in the basin to outline the momentum of high mountains and flowing water, forming a natural picture, achieving an artistic effect that originates from nature but is higher than nature.

South Gate of Slender West Lake (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

As a professional bonsai garden among the five major schools of bonsai in China, it is on the same footing as Xiyuan in Guangzhou, Du Fu Cottage in Sichuan, Longhua Botanical Garden in Shanghai, and Wanjing Villa in Suzhou. It adorns the famous famous gardens with its ancient and elegant works of art.

Photo taken by Slender West Lake (Photo: Sun Minghe)

The Bonsai Garden is like the Slender West Lake. It is also a long and narrow scenery garden. Through the beautiful scenery in the garden, you will come out from the north gate of the Bonsai Garden of the "Xiyuan River" and continue to walk west for a short distance. After crossing a bridge, you will reach the South Gate of Slender West Lake. When I saw the three characters "Slender West Lake" hanging on the big plaque above the door, I recalled the impression I had when I first came here in 1992. At that time, the reporter entered the scenic spot from here.

Lake scenery of Slender West Lake (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

Entering the south gate of Slender West Lake, you can see the beautiful lake scenery at a glance. Strolling along the long embankment, you will find the pleasing weak willows brushing the bank, rippling blue waves, and the beautiful scenery with flowers and flowers blowing the willows along the way. If Hangzhou West Lake is compared to a plump and charming young woman, then Yangzhou Slender West Lake can be compared to a delicate and graceful girl, because Hangzhou West Lake gives people a graceful and luxurious charm, while Yangzhou Slender West Lake gives people a somewhat delicate and shy affection. Over the years, her unique charm has not only made the people of Yangzhou happy to travel, but also attracted many literati and celebrities at home and abroad. The word "thin" alone has led to many good sentences from poets.

Slender West Lake Long Cake Trail (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

There are as many as thirty to forty scenic spots named after "West Lake" in my country, and the only "Slender West Lake" is Yangzhou. So why did she name it "Slender West Lake"? Slender West Lake is located in the western suburbs of Yangzhou City. It was formerly known as the "Paoshan River", also known as the "Baoshan River". It was a section of waterway that flowed from the mountains of Shu Tong and merged with the cave water from the east of the Dabie Mountains in Anhui into the canal during the Sui and Tang Dynasties. It has a tourist area of more than 50 hectares and a journey of more than 6 kilometers. The winding water is like a brocade belt, which is constantly displayed and closed, like the five-color streamer thrown to the world when Chang'e dances. Its shape is natural and moving.

Slender West Lake Corridor (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

The reason why it was renamed "Slender West Lake" was because during the Qianlong period, the poet Wang Hang compared Yangzhou's Baoshan River with Hangzhou's West Lake, and wrote a poem praising the Baoshan River: "Poplar trees continue to pick up remnants, and goose teeth and red bridges draw pictures; It is also a pot of gold, so it should be called Slender West Lake." From then on,"Slender West Lake" has become famous at home and abroad as an official title.

"Changdi Spring Willow" Pavilion (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

The reporter wandered along the long embankment and first came to the pavilion of "Long embankment Spring Willow", one of the twenty-four scenic spots in Yangzhou. Legend has it that the "Changdi Spring Willow", with willows and willows, was named because of the beautiful love between a young man and woman named Changdi and Chunliu. In spring, there is a willow tree sandwiched by a peach tree, full of warm affection. The catkins dancing on the lake make people feel confusing. They can probably make a comment on the "fireworks" in Li Bai's poem "Fireworks under Yangzhou in March".

Xuyuan Gate Head (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

After passing through the "Long Dike Spring Willows" and walking along the long embankment to the end, you will see a round cave door with the word "Xu Garden" written on it. This used to be the ancestral hall of warlord Xu Baoshan, but now it is a resting place for tourists. Inside the door is a pool of clear water, covered with lotus flowers. The pool is dotted with various forms of rocks and rocks. Several green willows dance in the wind, giving a pleasant scenery. The main hall in the garden is called Listening Orioles Hall, which is named from the poetry of "Two orioles sing the green willows, and a line of egrets rising to the blue sky." The nanmu enclosures in the museum are the best of the existing enclosures in Yangzhou. The two large iron pots in front of the Tingli Pavilion were water-holding artifacts more than 1500 years ago. This shows the prosperity of Yangzhou's economy, where Yangzhou's smelting industry was developed. There is a hall, a pavilion and a pavilion in Xuyuan. There is a winding water outside and a pond inside. The flowers, trees, bamboo and stone are just right, fully reflecting the exquisiteness and elegance of Jiangnan gardens.

Scenery of Xuyuan (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

Leaving Xuyuan and continuing northbound, you will arrive at Xiaojinshan, a small island located in the lake. Originally known as Changchun Ridge, it was built in the middle of the Qing Dynasty. At that time, in order to open up the water passage from Slender West Lake to Daming Temple, the Lianhuageng New River was excavated northwest of Slender West Lake. The mound of soil dug from the river became a hill. This is today's Xiaojinshan Mountain. From here you can see the main lake area of Slender West Lake. The tall and distant pavilions and trees make the water surface of Slender West Lake appear open and far-reaching, like a freehand Chinese landscape painting.

Xiaojinshan Island (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

Xiaojinshan is the largest island in Slender West Lake and the place with the densest buildings on the lake. The wind pavilion, the blowing stage, the piano room, the wooden tile library, the chess room, and the moon view are all concentrated here. There is another origin about the name of "Little Jinshan": It is said that two monks in Yangzhou and Zhenjiang once chatted. The Zhenjiang monk said: "The green mountains also hate Yangzhou customs, and many peaks cannot reach the river." Yangzhou certainly disagreed with this statement, so the two of them played chess and made a bet. As a result, the monks in Yangzhou were very clever, and the scene was named "Little Jinshan", and a couplet was hung in the courtyard: "The fingers of the finger are empty, but the jade court has been left and taken away; if the fist is not big, the Jinshan Mountain is willing to cross the river." With only the word "small", the "Jinshan" in Zhenjiang was extradited.

Looking at Diaoyutai from afar (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

You can see a series of scenery of Slender West Lake such as Diaoyutai, Wuting Bridge, and White Pagoda when traveling westward from Xiaojinshan and Shunhu Lake. Diaoyutai, deep into the center of the lake, turned out to be a place where silk and bamboo instruments were played. Legend has it that when Emperor Qianlong visited here, he somehow became interested in fishing, so someone immediately sent a fishing pole. However, the fish in Slender West Lake were disobedient. Emperor Qianlong, who usually responded to every call, fished for a long time, but not a single fish took the bait. The accompanying Yangzhou salt merchants became anxious and immediately quietly selected several sailors with good water skills to dive underwater with live fish. Hold the lotus leaf and rely on the lotus stem to breathe. As soon as the Qianlong fish pole above fell, the live arowana below was hooked. This time, Lord Qianlong was naturally very happy.

Scenery of Slender West Lake (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

In China, there are many scenic spots named after "Diaoyutai", but Yangzhou's fishing platform is the smallest among the many fishing platforms and is also the most distinctive one. It is a model of Chinese famous pavilion architecture and a representative work of the "frame-view" art of Chinese gardens. Standing at the 60-degree angle of Diaoyutai, you can see the sparkling light of Wuting Bridge lying across the round hole in the north, while the majestic white tower can be seen in the oval hole in the south.

Wuting Bridge and White Pagoda (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

This scene on Slender West Lake is colorful and plain, one horizontal and one lying down. It is really wonderful. This is also a place where tourists must take photos when visiting Yangzhou. The scene in the cave corresponds to the name of "Samsung Gongzhao".

On Wuting Bridge (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

If you compare Slender West Lake to a graceful girl, then the Wuting Bridge built on Slender West Lake is the gorgeous belt on the girl. Because there are five pavilions built on the bridge, it is named Wuting Bridge, and it is also called Lotus Bridge. This unique and beautiful bridge is not only a symbol of Slender West Lake, but also a symbol of Yangzhou City. The bridge was built in the 22nd year of Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty and has a history of more than 200 years.

A closer look at Diaoyutai (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

There are five wind pavilions with southern characteristics built on the Wuting Bridge. The tall and beautiful wind pavilions are like five lotus flowers slowly emerging from the water. There is a treasure roof on the pavilion, ceilings are painted inside, and wind chimes are hung outside the pavilion. The piers of Wuting Bridge are made of 12 large bluestone blocks, forming a thick and powerful "I"-shaped bridge foundation. The bridge is elegant and beautiful in shape, with yellow tiles and red pillars, white railings, and painted caisines in the pavilion. It is magnificent and has the characteristics of southern architecture. Under the bridge are thick piers with northern architectural characteristics, harmoniously combining the architectural art of the north and south, garden design and bridge engineering. No wonder Mr. Mao Yisheng, a famous Chinese bridge expert, commented this way: The oldest bridge in China is the Zhaozhou Bridge, the most magnificent bridge is the Lugou Bridge, and the most artistic bridge is the Wuting Bridge in Yangzhou.

Wuting Bridge Head (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

From crossing the lake in the north of the bridge to the south of the bridge, not far from walking are the White Pagoda and Lianxing Temple. Legend has it that in 1784, Emperor Qianlong visited Yangzhou Slender West Lake by boat for the sixth time. When I saw the scenery around Wuting Bridge from the water, I said with regret: "It's a pity that there is no white tower, otherwise it would look very similar to the spring shade of Qiongdao in the North Sea." The speaker was indifferent to the listener, and the wealthy Yangzhou salt merchants immediately spent 100,000 taels of silver to buy a pattern of the Beihai White Pagoda with the eunuch. That night, they built a white pagoda with white salt bags. This is the story of "building a tower overnight" that has been passed down in Yangzhou to this day.

Close view of the White Pagoda (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

The white tower on Slender West Lake in Yangzhou is 27.5 meters high. Below it is the waist of the Sumeru Tower, with eight sides and four corners, and three niches on each side. The niches are carved with twelve zodiac statues. Different from the thickness and firmness of the Beihai White Pagoda, the Yangzhou White Pagoda has a well-proportioned proportion and stands out from jade pavilions, which contrasts with the nearby Wuting Bridge.

Buyun Courtyard (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

After admiring the majestic appearance of the White Pagoda and visiting Lianxing Temple, the reporter walked a full circle around the lake from Nandaemun and along the long embankment. Although I have not completely traveled around Slender West Lake, the main beautiful scenery in the lake is already very pleasant and intoxicating. In fact, it is best to visit Slender West Lake by boat. Arriving from the royal dock where the Qing Emperor boarded the boat during his southern tour, and taking a pleasure boat, you will see several straw houses and water pavilions on the shore. From the windows, steamed dumplings, dried shredded pork buns, and three ding steamed buns float out. The tempting aroma of Weiyang tea. As the cruise ship moves, there are more and more trees on the shore, the lake becomes wider and wider, and the air becomes fresher. In the breeze floating on the water, there is the stench of some water grass or small fish, which can instantly eliminate the depression in your chest. In the shade of green trees, I seem to see the battlements of the city wall. I may not help but recite Wang Yuyang's famous sentence: "The city of Lvyang is Yangzhou"...

Runyang Bridge (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

Yangzhou is a place where people gather together. Politicians, writers, painters, and artists from all ages gathered together. Countless classics, poems, calligraphy, music, songs and dances have been left in Yangzhou, as well as many beautiful legends and stories. The Slender West Lake Garden has both natural scenery and rich history and culture. The four seasons and eight seasons, the wind, morning and moon and evening make the Slender West Lake transform into endless wonders, and all the poetic and artistic feelings are fully realized in it. Traveling in Slender West Lake, while appreciating the beautiful scenery of the lake, can also be said to be reading a rich history book, which not only enriches people's knowledge, but also elevates people's souls. (Photo and text: Feng Ganyong)