Shouxi Lake - tips by travel authority Howard Hillman

Shouxi Lake
travel wonder in China

Why
Shouxi Lake
in Yangzhou
is special

Shouxi Lake is the highlight of Yangzhou, a city renowned around the world for its gardens. This long, narrow lake is beautifully landscaped with gardens. weeping willows and pavilions - and crossed by stunning bridges.

Shouxi Lake
tips & insights

South vs. North China gardens

Shouxi Lake embraces the Yangzhou garden style. It's a successful blend of the northern and southern Chinese garden styles, which markedly differ:

In the north
Gardens tend to be grand, expansive affairs - almost as if to show off. The imperial gardens of the Beijing's Summer Palace exemplify this style.

In the south
Although the gardens in the south also try to impress, they do it more subtly. They are smaller and more intimate, with more elegant architectural details.

Name

Shouxi Lake means "Slender West Lake". This is a competitive reference to the roundish West Lake in Huangzhou (also a Hillman Wonder).

Five Pavilion Bridge

This is the lake's most striking feature (see photo). Five Pavilion Bridge was built in the 18th century to honor a visiting emperor.

Xiaojin Hill

Another major Shouxi Lake attraction is the islet of Xiaojin (little golden) Hill in the middle of the lake. It's crowned with pavilions and the gardens are treasures.

Size

Shouxi Lake is slightly over 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) in length.

Ge Garden

Yangzhou's other famous garden spot is Ge Garden. It was privately owned by a salt merchant and epitomizes the Yangzhou garden style even more than does Shouxi Lake. Its rockeries are exceptionally outstanding.

Nearest major city

Yangzhou is about 150 kilometers (90 miles) northeast of Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu province.

Pronunciation guide

Shouxi: shoo-she