Slender West Lake

» Yangzhou, Jiang Su

Slender West Lake Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

The lake was originally a natural river course leading to the Grand Canal (from Beijing to Hangzhou) during the Sui (581-618) and Tang (618-907) periods. It's been famous for its scenic splendor since those times. The scenic resort is a fine example of a traditional Chinese lakeside garden. Walking along the lake, one can see many elegant styles of architectures.

How it got its name

Slender West Lake is over 4 km in length with an area of over 30 hectares. Narrow in shape, the lake is like a tall and slender beauty in comparison with the West Lake in Hangzhou of east China's Zhejiang Province.

Its surroundings

Starting from Gudu Bridge at the south city gate, Slender West Lake flows around Xiaojinshan (Little Golden Hill) up to the foot of Tangshugang Ridge of Pingshan Hill. Its southeastern part links Shi River and the city moat through to the Grand Canal. The Lake scene looks just like a traditional Chinese scroll painting that contains not only natural scenery but also displays the unique Yangzhou garden style.

What to see

The lake is typical of the Chinese water-based garden art combining the grace and elegance of the south with the grandeur and magnificence of the north. It's known for its 24 attractions. Main sights on the lake include the Spring Willows along the Long Causeway, the Xuyuan Garden, Plum Hill in Late Spring, Yueguan, Chuitai, Clouds Flowing over the Water, the White Pagoda, and the Five Pavilion Bridge, etc.To fully appreciate the breathtaking views one simply has to visit.

The Long Causeway

The Long Causeway is on the western bank of the lake, extending about one hundred meters. Weeping willows that alternate with peach trees grow all along the causeway. Spring Willows along the Long Causeway is among the 24 Sights of Yangzhou City. At the end of the Long Causeway is the Xuyuan Garden, an ancestral temple in the old days. Lying in the garden, a limpid pool is planted fully with lotus and surrounded by various rockeries.

Xiaojin Shan (Little Golden Hill)

Xiaojin Shan (Little Golden Hill), originally named Changchun Hill, is an islet in the lake. During the Qing Dynasty, in order to open a water channel to connect the Slender West Lake and Daming Monastery, a canal was excavated in the northwest side of the lake. The mud excavated from the river course was piled up to form a small hill that we can still see today.

The Wind Pavilion

Located at the top of the hill, with pines and cypresses planted on the slope located at the top of the hill, the Wind Pavilion is the highest spot in this scenic area. At the foot of the eastern side of the hill stands Guihua Hall within a lattice wall, this offers views of the lake.

Five Pagoda Bridge

Five Pagoda Bridge, located on the Shore of Slender West Lake, is a unique piece of architecture which has glorious proportions and skillfully combines elegant taste with exquisiteness.

The Five-Pavilion Bridge rests on the lake, just like a belt. It gained its name from the five pavilions built on it. Elaborate in its structure and magnificent in its decorations, this bridge has become a mark along the tour route of Yangzhou City.

Built in the Qing Dynasty, it was specially designed for Emperor Qianlong's inspection tour. The Five-Pavilion Bridge has an elegant appearance and possesses the characters of architecture in both northern China and southern China. Its yellow tiles and red columns supported by white balusters have the architectural feature in southern China while its thick piers have the architectural feature in northern China. Besides, it is also a harmonious combination of the garden architecture and bridge architecture.

What to be found here

Inside the parlor visitors can see a couplet written by the famous painter and calligrapher Zheng Banqiao of the Qing Dynasty: "When moon comes, the whole ground is full of water, while cloud gathers, mountains are all over the sky."

Fuzhuang

Fuzhuang is surrounded by water, and got its name because from above it looks like a teal floating in the water. Snacks can be purchased in Fuzhuang, and various performances are held there during festivals.

24 Bridge

Of the 24 scenic areas, the one that catches the eyes of tourists most is 24 Bridge. Built with white marble, the bridge is 24 meters (appox.79 feet) long, 24 meters (also appox.79 feet) wide, with 24 parapets and 24 steps hence the name - 24 Bridge. It looks like a marble ribbon fluttering on the water or a rainbow lying over the lake

Getting there

By bus

Bus numbers 4, 5, 6, and 16 all go to Slender West Lake.

On foot

Alternatively, you can take a pleasant walk northwest from the city center to reach the park. The park covers the entire NW part of Yangzhou. The south entrance is near the arched stone Hongqiao Bridge.

Attractions around » Yangzhou, Jiang Su

Natural Scene

• Slender West Lake

Cultural Site

• Han Dynasty Tomb Museum
• Heyuan Garden
• Geyuan Garden

Slender West Lake Highlights

Lake & Spring in Great China

• West Lake
• Lake Kanas
• Lake Namtso
• Lake Qinghaihu
• Lake Yamdrok
• Huaqing Pool
• Crescent Spring
• Lake Qiandaohu
• Lake Xuanwuhu
• Lake Taihu
• Slender West Lake
• Lake Hongfenghu
• Lake Dianchi
• Lake Luguhu
• Heavenly Lake
• Butterfly Spring
• Lake Erhai
• Longsheng Hot Spring National Park
• Lake Bitahai
• Lake Shuduhu
• Lake Napahai
• Red Carp Pond
• Hupao Spring
• Black Dragon Pool
• Lake Karakuli
• Tianhe Pool
• Lake Dongtinghu
• Baotu Spring
• Lake Daminghu
• Yuquan Park
• Lake Bosten
• East Lake Scenic Area

Slender West Lake FAQ & Travelers's Tips

  Weather

1. What is the weather like there? How about the best time to go there?

  Other Hints

1. What is Yangzhou Three Knives?
2. Where to exchange money?
3. Electricity
4. Emergency Number

• What is the weather like there? How about the best time to go there?

  With an annual average temperature ranging from 13C to 16C, the climate in Jiangsu is semi-humid and subtropical. There are four distinct seasons with cold winters and hot summers. Besides, the annual average rainfall is 800 to 1,200 millimeters (31.5 to 47.2 inches), with high precipitation in the southeast and low in the northwest, and 60 percent of the rain falls during the summer.

  So the best time for a visit should be in spring and autumn.

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• What is Yangzhou Three Knives?

  Yangzhou is famous for its 'three knives': kitchen knife, pedicure knife and barber's knife

  The rise and fall of Han, Tang, Qing Dynasties activated the development of these three knives. Ecnomic pressure pushed the people of that time leave their homeland with these three knives with them and settle down in other cities, even other countires. After an unsmooth road of the three knives, they are finally accepted and welcomed and even loved by people from all over the world.

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• Where to exchange money?

  You can exchange main currencies such as US, Canadian and Australia dollars and Euros, etc. for the Chinese Yuan (Chinese Currency) at banks located in downtown Yangzhou. The bank opening hours are from 8:00 to 17:00.

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• Electricity

  220 volts, 50 cycles
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• Emergency Number

  • Tourist Hotline: 5261179
    
  • Ambulance: 120 , 7213460
    
  • Emergencies: 110 (foreigner's section 552729)
    
  • Fire: 119
    
  • Tel No. Enquiry: 114
    
  • Police: 110
    
  • Foreign Affairs Office of Police: 7216795
    

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