Embark on a journey to the misty rain of South Lake and seek a touch of red original aspiration!

Yesterday, I visited the Yanyu Pavilion on the islet in the heart of South Lake. It was drizzling lightly, perfectly matching the poetic meaning of "misty rain." Interestingly, the history of Yanyu Pavilion predates the islet itself—the pavilion was originally built over a thousand years ago, while the islet was formed only about 470 years ago. During the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty, Prefect Zhao Ying dredged South Lake and piled up the silt to create the islet, a brilliant example of ancient wisdom turning waste into treasure. After the islet took shape, not only was the original Yanyu Pavilion relocated here, but pavilions and terraces were gradually planned and landscapes arranged, allowing a garden blending culture and nature to grow from the silt.

The most striking cultural mark on the islet is the deep affection of Emperor Qianlong. He traveled south six times and ascended Yanyu Pavilion eight times, leaving behind many poems praising the scenery. Today, the imperial stele pavilion is still preserved on the islet, where visitors can admire his calligraphy and brushwork.

Now, Yanyu Pavilion refers not just to a single building but to the entire Jiangnan garden architectural complex centered around it. This place embodies typical elements of Jiangnan gardens: built by the water, with lake stones piled into hills, and flowers and trees complementing each other. The rockery is especially grand and undulating, rare among Jiangnan gardens. Among the flora, two ancient ginkgo trees over 400 years old stand prominently in front of Yanyu Pavilion, strong and upright on either side. Unfortunately, both are male trees, producing leaves but no flowers or fruit, a small regret left unintentionally by the ancients.

Also quietly stationed by the water in front of Yanyu Pavilion is the famous South Lake Red Boat—the commemorative boat of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China. This replica silk-net boat vividly restores the groundbreaking historical scene of the summer of 1921. It is not only the "cradle of the Chinese revolution" but also symbolizes the red starting point and the birth of the original aspiration. The Red Boat and Yanyu Pavilion together create a scenic harmony, adding a solemn historical weight to the gentle charm of the Jiangnan garden, making the islet a unique sacred place where natural beauty, classical aesthetics, and red culture intertwine.

Post by RAQUEL ALEXANDER | Oct 19, 2025