West Lake杭州西湖英文详细介绍.doc

West LakeWest Lake or X H (Chinese: 西湖; literally West Lake) is a famous fresh water lake located in the historic area of Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province in eastern China. The lake is divided by the causeways of S D (苏提 / 蘇堤), Bi D (白堤), and Ynggng D (杨公堤 / 楊公堤). There are numerous temples, pagodas, gardens, and artificial islands within the lake.West Lake has influenced poets and painters throughout the ages for its natural beauty and historical relics, and it has been among the most important sources of inspiration for Chinese garden designers, as evidenced by the impact it had on various Chinese classical gardens.1 It was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011, and was described as having influenced garden design in the rest of China as well as Japan and Korea over the centuries2 and as reflecting an idealized fusion between humans and nature.2There are dozens of lakes called West Lake worldwide, but West Lake usually refers to the Hangzhou West Lake, which is located in the western area of Hangzhou City. It is surrounded by mountains on three sides. The average depth of West Lake is 3 meters, and the capacity is about 14,290,000 cubic meters. The lake is divided by Gu Shan, Bai, Su and Yanggong Causeways into five areas. Ordered by their areas, they are Outer West Lake (外西湖), West Inner Lake (西里湖, or 后西湖, or 后湖), North Inner Lake (北里湖 or 里西湖), Little South Lake (小南湖 or 南湖) and Yue Lake (岳湖). Outer West Lake is the largest. Gu Shan or Gu Hill is the largest natural island in the lake. Su & Bai Causeways run across the lake. Three small man-made islands, Xiao Ying Zhou (小瀛洲), Hu Xin Ting (湖心亭), and Ruan Gong Dun (阮公墩) lie in the center of Outer West Lake. Thus, the basic layout is one hill, two causeways, three islands, and five lakes.West Lake is not only famous for its picturesque landscape, it is also associated with many scholars, national heroes and revolutionary martyrs, thus embracing many aspects of Chinese culture. In addition, many ancient buildings, stone caves and engraved tablets in surrounding areas are among the most cherished national treasures of China, with significant artistic value.edit HistoryThe earliest name for West Lake was Wulin Water (武林水). In the Book of Han, the Geography Column section says, Qiantang, affiliated to west governor general. Wulin mountain is the origin of Wulin water. Runs east into the sea, covering 830 Chinese miles. Its former names include Qian Water, Qiantang Lake, Mingsheng Lake, Jinniu Lake, Shihan Lake, Shang Lake, Lianyan Lake, Fangsheng Pond, Xizi Lake, Gaoshi Lake, Xiling Lake, Meiren Lake, Xianzhe Lake, Mingyue Lake, and etc. But only two names were widely accepted in history and recorded in historical documents. One is Qiantang Lake, due to the fact that Hangzhou was called Qiantang in ancient times. The other name is West Lake, due to the lake being west of the city. The name West Lake first appeared in two poems of Bai Juyi, Bestowed on guests as returning from West Lake in the evening and looking back to Gushan Temple (西湖晚歸回望孤山寺贈諸客) and On the returning boat to Hangzhou (杭州回舫). Since North Song Dynasty, most poems and articles of scholars used the name West Lake, while the name Qiantang Lake was gradually deprecated. The request of dredging West Lake written by Su Shi was the first time that West Lake appeared in an official document.edit Qin DynastyOver 2,000 years ago, West Lake was still a part of Qiantang River. Due to soil sedimentation, the feet of the surrounding mountains on north and south sides of the lake, Wu Mountain and Baoshi Mountain gradually stretched to form shoal heads. Later these sand spits slowly merged to into a sandbank, to which a lagoon emerged to the west: this was the old West Lake, of the Qin and Han dynastic eras. West Lake Dream Searching (西湖夢尋) written by Zhang Dai (張岱) recorded, Big Stone Buddhist Temple. According to ancient history, Qin Shi Huang traveled east into the sea, and moored the boat to this stone. The Big Stone Buddhist Temple referred to was located at Baoshi Mountain, north of the West Lake. These days the Qin Shi Huang mooring stone can still be seen.edit Sui DynastyThe short lived Sui Dynasty was known for its great engineering works which it accomplished during its brief existence. After Daye 6th year (610), Sui Dynasty, the Jiangnan Canal was opened and connected to the North Canal. Thus, five major rivers of China, namely the Hai River, Yellow River, Huai River, Yangtze River, and Qiantang Riverall were connected: this facilitated transportation to and from Hangzhou and thus boosting bith its and general economic development. Tourism in Hangzhou also started to boom.edit Tang DynastyIn the Tang Dynasty, West Lake had an area of roughly 10.8 square kilometers. The western and southern parts of the lake all extended to the foot of West Hill. The northeastern part stretched to Wulin Gate area. Pilgrims could take the boat to the hill-foot and walk up to the hill to worship. Because there was virtually no hydraulic project in those days, the lake flooded after heavy rains, and dried up during long droughts.Baochu PagodaView with the Leifeng Pagoda and Jingci Temple in the distanceIn September, Jianzhong 2nd year (781), Li Mi (李泌) was appointed governor of Hangzhou. In order to supply fresh water, he creatively induced the water into the city. He ordered six wells dug in populous areas like Qiantang Gate and Yongjin Gate, and set up a shadow conduit (underground clay and bamboo pipes) to introduce lake water into the city. The six wells have long vanished today. The only existing relic from that time is the Xiangguo Well, located west of Jinting Bridge on Jiefang Rd. The other five wells were Xi Well (to west of Xiangguo Well), Fang Well (or Four-eyed Well), Jinniu Well (northwest of Xi Well), Baigui Well (west of Longxiang Bridge), and Xiaofang Well (or Six-eyed Well, inside Qiantang Gate, now Xiaoche Bridge area).In the middle of the Tang Dynasty Zhenyuan era (785-804), poet and government official Bai Juyi (白居易) was appointed governor of Hangzhou. Already an accomplished and famous poet, his deeds at Hangzhou made him a great governor. He realised that the farmland nearby depended on the water of X H, but due to the negligence of previous governors, the old dyke had collapsed, and the lake so dried out that the local farmers were suffering from severe drought. He ordered the construction of a stronger and taller dyke, with a dam to control the flow of water, and thus providing water for irrigation and so mitigating the drought problem. The livelihood of local people of Hangzhou improved over the following years. Bai Juyi used his leisure time to enjoy the beauty of X H, visiting the lake almost every day. He ordered the construction of a causeway connecting Broken Bridge with Solitary Hill to allow walking on foot, instead of requiring the services of a boat. He then planted coolabah trees and willows trees along the dyke, making it a beautiful landmark. Afterwards, this causeway was later named Bai Causeway (白堤) in Bai Juyis honour.edit Five DynastiesThe most prominent eras in Hangzhous development history, Wuyue Kingdom and Southern Song Dynasty, had great impacts on West Lake. The comprehensive development and fundamental layout of West Lake occurred in these two Dynasties. During Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, Wuyue Kingdom (907-960) made Hangzhou its capital. It facilitated the transportation to coastal regions, and promoted trading with foreign countries like Japan and Korea. In the meantime, successive emperors in Wuyue Kingdom paid great tribute to Buddhism, and built a number of temples, pagodas, shrines and grottos around the lake area. They expanded Lingyin Temple, founded Zhaoqing Temple, Jingci Temple, Lian Temple, Liutong Temple and Taoguang Temple, and built Baochu Pagoda, Liuhe Pagoda, Leifeng Pagoda and White Pagoda. The area was thus acclaimed as Buddhist Country. Lingyin Temple, Tianzhu Temple and the tide of Qiantang were the most famous scenic spots at that time. Due to the geological characteristics, earth deposited speedly in West Lake and dredging became a routine maintenance. Thus in Baozheng 2nd year (927), the emperor of Wuyue Kingdom, Qian Liu, installed a lake-dredging army of 1,000 to mow grasses and deepen springs, and preserved the water body of the lake.edit Song DynastyThe lovely Spring breeze has comeBack to the Lake of the West.The Spring waters are so clear andGreen they might be freshly painted.The clouds of perfume are sweeterThan can be imagined. In theGentle East wind the petalsFall like grains of rice.Ouyang Xiu (10071072), excerpts from Spring Day on West Lake3Over two hundred years later, in the beginning of Song Dynastys Yuanyou era (10861094), another great poet, Su Shi (蘇軾, also known as Su Dongpo), came to Hangzhou as governor. At that time, the farmers suffered drought again, due to overgrowth of the weeds at the bottom of the lake clogging the irrigation ducts. He ordered dredging of the lake and piled up all the mud into another causeway, in the style of Bai Causeway, but much wider and nearly three times as long: he also planted willow trees along its banks. This causeway was later named after him as the Su Causeway. There are six bridges along the 2.6km Su Causeway (蘇堤). Dawn on the Su Causeway in Spring 蘇堤春曉 is one of the attractions.When Southern Song Dynasty made Hangzhou its capital in 1127, Hangzhou became the national center of politics, economy and culture. The population grew rapidly, and the economy developed greatly. Hangzhou entered its heyday. Wu Zimu of Southern Song Dynasty described the extravagance in his Mengliang Record (夢粱錄), The life in Linan is luxurious in all seasons, full of delight and appreciation with no idle days. In west there is a lovely lake with arresting scenes, and in east the river tides are spectacular. Both are miracles. Besides pilgrims, the tourists in Hangzhou included envoys of foreign countries, businessmen, monks and scholar candidates of the central examinations. The beauty of West Lake started to gain wide reputation. In those days, boating on the lake was a popular entertainment. According to records, there were hundreds of boats in the lake. All were delicately built, with exquisite carving and decorations, and glided gracefully on the water. Poet Lin Sheng vividly described the ostentation in his poem On a hotel wall in Linan. In addition, poet Yang Wanli (楊萬里) also acclaimed the engaging scenery of West Lake in poem Coming out of Jingci Temple at dawn to see Lin Zifang off.edit Yuan DynastyGreen mountains surround on all sidesthe still waters of the lake.Pavilions and towers in hues of goldand azure rise here and there.One would say a landscape composed by a painter.Only towards the east,where there are no hills,does the land open out,and there sparkle, like fishes scales,the bright coloured tiles of a thousand roofs.From Daily life in China on the Eve of the Mongol Invasion, 1250-12764In the Yuan Dynasty, West Lake was still socially thriving, with a population full of exuberance for singing and dancing. The Book of Yuan, column 23, says, in Zhida 2nd year (1309), in Hangzhou, Jiang-Zhe area, during half a year there were more than 1,200 foreign visitors. Foreigners Sangwu and Baoheding brought lions, panthers, crows and falcons. They stayed for 27 days. People and animals ate meat of more than 1,300 jin. Increasing number of businessmen and travelers from countries of Turkestan and western Europe came to visit Hangzhou. The most famous among them was Italian explorer Marco Polo, who complimented Hangzhou in his travel notes as the most splendid heavenly city in the world. In late Yuan Dynasty, there were Qiantang Ten Scenic Spots, in addition to the West Lake Ten Scenic Spots of the South Song Dynasty; the existence of which expanded the scope of tourism. During Zhiyuan years of the reign of Yuan Shizu (Kublai Khan), the lake was dredged, and renamed pond of freeing captive animals (放生池). Some of the lake area was gradually enriched and became cultivated zones. In the late Yuan Dynasty, West Lake lacked governmental attention, and plutocrats and noblemen enclosed water zones, so that the lake deteriorated into a desolate state with most of its area silting up and turning into swampland.edit Ming DynastyThree Pools Mirroring the MoonIn the Ming Dynasty, Hangzhou began to restore its prosperity in Xuande and Zhengtong years (14261449). Then, the local government kept a close watch on West Lake. In Hongzhi 16th year (one source suggests Zhengde 3rd year) the then governor Yang Mengying (楊孟瑛), with the support of special envoy Ju Liang (車粱), obtained approval to dredge the lake, despite much resistance from local magnates. This project was funded by the Engineering Department. West Lake Tourism Guide (西湖游覽志), column one of Ming Dynasty recorded, The work commenced in February.It took 152 days, and 6,700,000 manpowers, and cost 23,607 liang of silver, and got rid of illegal fields 3,481 Chinese acres. Thus, West Lake recovered to its image in Tang and Song Dynasties. The dredging project extended the water surface from west of Su Causeway to Hongchun Bridge and Mao Jia Bu. The excavated silt was used to broaden Su Causeway, and also used to build a long causeway in western Inside Lake, called Yanggong Causeway (楊公堤).In the 35th regnal year of the Wanli Emperor, 1607, the governor of Qiantang County, Nie Xintang (聶心湯), constructed a circular causeway from south to west outside the Fangsheng Pond of the island Xiao Ying Zhou, which resulted in a unique view of Island in Lake, Lake in Island. In the 39th year, Yang Wanli subsequently built the outer bank, and the whole plot was realized by 48th year. Outside the pond were erect three small stony pagodas, called Three Ponds.Both, in the Ming and the Qing Dynasties, West Lake was dredged several times. The silt dug up was heaped to form two islands in the lake, Xuxin Ting and Xiao Ying Zhou.edit Qing DynastyQian King Temple, one of the major attractions of X H: Listening Orioles Singing in the WillowsThe Kangxi and Qianlong of Emperors of the Qing Dynasty toured South China and stopping by Hangzhou many times; which helped to expedite the revamping and rehabilitation of West Lake. Kangxi visited Hangzhou five times, and wrote the names of Ten Scenic Spots of West Lake selected in Southern Song Dynasty. The local governor then inscribed Kangxis handwriting onto stelae and built pavilions over them. Thereafter those scenes such as Two Peaks Piercing the Clouds and Moon over the Peaceful Lake in Autumn acquired fixed locations for appreciation. During the reign of Yongzheng, Eighteen Scenic Sites of West Lake had developed into a new nomenclature together with enriched tourism resources. Qianlong visited Hangzhou six times, composing poems as well as erecting stelae for the Ten Scenic Spots. He also wrote names for Eight Scenic Spots of Dragon Well, bringing renown to the mountainous scenery of remote the Dragon Well region (Longjing). In Qianlongs reign, two Hangzhou natives, brothers Qu Hao and Qu Han, co-authored a book called A Glance at Lakes and Hills, recording as many as 1,016 tourist spots around West Lake. This is the earliest known travel guide in Hangzhou.During the reign of the Yongzheng Emperor, West Lake still preserved a water area of 7.54 square kilometers, but more than 20 acres (81,000 m2) were shoals. Due to extensive dredging projects, the lake area spread beyond the west of now Xishan Road to the neighborhood of Hongchun Bridge, Maojia Bu, Turtle Pond, and Chishan Bu. In Yongzhengs fifth year as Emperor, the governor of Zhejiang and Right Vice Director of the Court of Censors, Li Wei (李衛), spent 42,742 liang in silver in dredging the lake. He built stone weirs in Jinsha Harbor, Chishan Bu, Jingjia Hill and Maojia Bu in order to store water and to flush out the lake silt. In Jiaqing 5th year(1800), governor of Zhejiang Yan Jian (顏檢) beseeched the Court to support a hydraulic project in West Lake. The project was supervised by the late governor of Zhejiang, Ruan Yuan (阮元), had the excavated silt piled into a mound, which was then named Ruan Gong Dun (阮公墩 - Duke Ruans Pier). By then, the modern configuration of West Lake was determined. In the 3rd year of the reign of the Tongzhi Emperor, 1864, the West Lake Dredging Bureau was founded, and a Qiantang native, Ding Bin, was appointed as director.edit Republic of China to End of 20th CenturyFrom the end of Qing Dynasty to the period of Republic of China, constructions included the Shanghai-Hangzhou-Ningbo and the Zhejiang-Jiangxi railways as well as the Hangzhou-Shanghai, Hangzhou-Nanjing, and Hangzhou-Ningbo highways were built. This facilitation of transportation encouraged the development of Hangzhous tourism. Besides traditional pilgrims, more and more travelers came from domestic cities like Shanghai, Nanjing as well as from Europe, America and Japan. The special memorial edition of Hangzhou government 10th anniversary says, from Minguo 19-25 year (19301936), the recorded tourists to Hangzhou were counted to 32,845.Cloud-Sustained Path in a Bamboo GroveHangzhous tourism resources became more abundant in the Republic of China era, as scenic spots and cultural relics were steadily added around West Lake. The government converted the imperial garden of the imperial palace remaining from the Qing Dynasty into a park, on Solitary Hill. The official calendar of the Republic was the Minguo calendar, which numbered years from the founding of the Rebublic, and in minguo 16th year,