Shouxi Lake - tips by travel authority Howard Hillman

Shouxi Lake
travel wonder in China

Why Shouxi Lake
in Yangzhou City 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.

Interesting insights
about Shouxi Lake

The style of Chinese gardens markedly differs between north and south. 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. 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. The Yangzhou garden style is a successful blend of the northern and southern garden styles.

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

Shouxi Lake tidbits

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

Another major Shouxi 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.

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

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

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