Ping Hu Qiu Yue

Why Ping Hu Qiu Yue is special ?

Ping Hu Qiu Yue, literally Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake, boasting one of top ten classic scenes of West Lake Scenic Area, is located on the west point of Bai Causeway and at the southern foot of the Solitary Hill and close to the exterior part of West Lake. Especially, when the bright moon hangs high above the autumn nights, the surface of the lake appears to be tranquil and calm like a mirror with its brilliance emitting far and near. They are arranged in picturesque disorder. Under the bright colored and beautiful moonlight, viewing and enjoying the facade of the mountain and the ripples of water's surface, the postures of different flowers and the graceful gesture of gesture of such plants as the willow is simply a must. It is really an attractive place.

Source: http://www.orientaltravel.com/

What to explore at Ping Hu Qiu Yue?

After the foundation of new China, this area was redesigned, rebuilt and extended and came into being a narrow and long lakeside gardens, different-season flowers and plants were planted among the rockeries. The traditional platforms, pavilions, halls and towers were built elaborately aesthetically. It is the perfect place to appreciate the moon, taste the tea and have leisure time. It is the great place to see the ideal and heavenly landscape that illustrated in literary works. The traditional beauty mixed with the poetic imagery always indulged many people into spiritual pleasure. Anytime, people can feel its charm, aside from the time of autumn. There is a famous couplet created by Luo Chengxiang(骆成骧) of Qing Dynasty can show this meaning:

On the slight west side of the scene, it is the Tower of Hutianyibi(湖天一碧楼), or Tower of Lake and Sky in Green, which originally was the remainder of Luo Yuan(Luo Gardens), a private villa of Ha Tong(哈同) who was a Jewish rich businessman and adventurer in the period of late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China. Subsequently, it became the cradle of Chinese modern art, especially the center of woodcarving, and at the time it was called Ba Yi She or (Eight Skills Society, 八艺社). Today, it is the Xiling Calligraphy and Painting Institute(西泠书画院),which adds lots of humanity to the beauty of West Lake. Xiling Calligraphy and Painting Institute formed in the late 1970s and gathered multiple renowned experts of calligraphy, painting and sealing. An extraordinary history it has owned, and it also shows the unique enchantment in the aspect of succeeding the traditional culture. In the circle of Chinese art, it is attractive undoubtedly. It all the time maintains the target of succeeding and developing Chinese traditional art of calligraphy and painting, as well as pursuing the multiplicity of art and activating the creativity and intercommunication at home and abroad.

Source: http://www.seeraa.com/