Tianchi, a quarry site from the Southern Song Dynasty, is a legacy of Hangzhou’s time as the capital when palaces were constructed using stones mined from this very site. The island’s peak is adorned with seven artificially excavated stone pools, which have become known as Tianchi. Today, the area has evolved into a cultural attraction, encompassing the Hundred Dragon Stele Corridor, Tianchi Fish Viewing, Four-tiered Waterfall, Stone Culture Exhibition Area, Stone Tool Workshop, and the opportunity to admire some of the world’s most beautiful waters.
Originally named Qingshi Bu, Tianchi is famed for its high-quality building stone material, ‘Tea Garden Greenstone’. It is situated in the Southeast Lake District, one of the early developed lake areas for tourism in Thousand Island Lake. The stone from this region is celebrated for its durability, uniformity, and initial softness post-mining. Its size and thickness can be customized, and it gradually hardens when exposed to the elements, making it resistant to weathering. This resilience has led to the adage, ‘The world’s beautiful stones come from the Tea Garden’.
Upon arrival at Tianchi Island, visitors are greeted by the inscription ‘The world’s most beautiful water’ on a stone wall. The scenic area is steeped in the character ‘dragon’, including a substantial cursive ‘dragon’ penned by the renowned calligrapher Mr. Sha Menghai at the age of 87. Nearby, on the steps, lies the Hundred Dragon Stele Corridor, which showcases 25 distinct and spirited ‘dragon’ characters, all crafted by esteemed Chinese calligraphers.In the Tianchi area, you’ll find a large stone relief that captures the essence of the region’s history. On the left side of the relief, it narrates the legend of Tianchi’s origin, while the right side depicts the grand ancient mining scene of Tea Garden Greenstone. The site is open to visitors throughout the year, with specific opening times as follows: from 08:00 to 09:00, 09:30 to 10:30, and 12:00 to 13:00.
