Moist Hangzhou – West Lake Chapter

### The Evolution and Beauty of West Lake #### Su Shi’s Contributions After Su Shi, a renowned[...]

### The Evolution and Beauty of West Lake

#### Su Shi’s Contributions
After Su Shi, a renowned poet of the Northern Song Dynasty, became the magistrate of Hangzhou, he left an indelible mark on the city. He not only composed a thousand poems but also undertook significant infrastructure projects. These included the construction of a causeway, restoration of six wells, dredging of inland rivers, and the establishment of weirs and sluices.

#### The Decline and Revival of West Lake
From the Yuan Dynasty to the middle of the Ming Dynasty, West Lake fell into disuse. However, in the first year of Zhengde in the Ming Dynasty (1506), Yang Mengying, the magistrate of Hangzhou, revitalized the area. He governed West Lake and formed the Yang Gong Causeway, parallel to Su Causeway. This marked the completion of the three causeways of West Lake: Bai Causeway, Su Causeway, and Yang Gong Causeway.

#### The Qing Dynasty and Imperial Influence
Since the Shunzhi period of the Qing Dynasty, West Lake underwent regular dredging. Emperor Kangxi and Emperor Qianlong, during their southern tours to Hangzhou, promoted the construction of West Lake. Emperor Kangxi even inscribed inscriptions for the ten scenic spots of West Lake.

#### Modern Developments and Public Access
From the late Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China, the city wall separating West Lake and Hangzhou city was gradually demolished, fostering a closer relationship between the city and the lake. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the government initiated multiple dredging and renovation projects on West Lake. In 1985, a water diversion project was built to bring water from the Qiantang River into the lake, alleviating the shortage of water sources in West Lake. Between 1999 and 2003, a comprehensive dredging project was carried out. In 2001, the comprehensive protection project of West Lake and the water diversion and distribution project were launched, aiming to change the water of West Lake once a month. On October 1, 2002, West Lake was opened to the public free of charge.

#### The Four Seasons of West Lake
West Lake is a paradise on earth, with its scenery varying beautifully across the seasons. In spring, peach blossoms and willows embrace each other on both banks. Summer sees lotus leaves seemingly reaching the sky without end. On autumn nights, the bright moon shines on the Three Pools. In winter, plum blossoms are sparsely shadowed.

#### The Poetic Legacy
Strolling on Su Causeway and Bai Causeway, with willows like smoke and peach blossoms blooming brightly, one cannot help but be reminded of the poets’ achievements in governing West Lake. It evokes a deep attachment, as expressed by the sentiment, “I cannot bear to leave Hangzhou. Half of my reluctance is due to this lake.”