The Slender West Lake
Slender West Lake, located in the northern suburbs of Yangzhou City, Jiangsu Province, China, attracts countless visitors with its unique natural scenery and profound cultural heritage. This national AAAAA-level tourist attraction is not only a gem of Chinese classical garden art but also a shining card of Yangzhou. Named for its slender and elongated lake surface, Slender West Lake stretches 4.3 kilometers and is composed of city moats from the Sui, Tang, Five Dynasties, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, maintaining a water-source interaction with the Grand Canal and forming a unique ribbon-like landscape.
The lake surface of Slender West Lake meanders, with a lake shoreline extending over ten kilometers. Where the lake is broad, the clear waves ripple, and where it is narrow, the water flows rapidly, creating a variety of lake views. On both banks, flowers and willows line the water, with pavilions and terraces extending all the way to the mountains. The beauty of Slender West Lake lies not only in its lake and mountain scenery but also in the numerous classical gardens and historical sites scattered within. Slender West Lake also preserves many ancient architectural sites, such as the Lotus Flower Building beside the lotus pond and the Jade Belt Mountain House at the head of the Jade Belt Bridge. These structures bear witness to the historical prosperity and splendor of Yangzhou and provide visitors with a place to experience the ancient cultural atmosphere.
Major Attractions
Wuting Bridge
As one of the representative attractions of Slender West Lake, Wuting Bridge is known for its five distinctive wind pavilions that are quintessentially characteristic of the Jiangnan water town. These colorful and elegantly designed pavilions stand on the lake like five blooming lotuses, providing visitors with endless visual pleasure.
Changdi Chunliu
This is a poetic and picturesque causeway where the layout of peach trees and willows, one every three steps and willows every five steps, makes one feel as if they are in a moving painting. Whenever a breeze blows over the lake, the willow catkins drift with the wind, as light and beautiful as snowflakes, bringing endless reverie and intoxication to visitors.
White Pagoda
This snow-white pagoda has a history of over 200 years. Its solid brick structure and design are quite similar to the White Pagoda in Beihai Park, Beijing, making it a beautiful landmark within the Slender West Lake scenic area.
Xichun Terrace and Twenty-Four Bridges
These two attractions together embody the poetry and romance of "the moonlit night of the Twenty-Four Bridges." Standing on Xichun Terrace, visitors can fully appreciate the beauty of the entire lake area, feeling the tranquility and harmony of nature. At the same time, they can also gaze at the distant Lingering Light Pagoda of Daming Temple, appreciating its simple and elegant charm.
Xu Garden
Known as the "screen" of Slender West Lake, Xu Garden captivates visitors with its exquisite architectural layout and meticulously structured yet ever-changing design. The structures within the garden are arranged in a way that is both classical and modern, making it a place where visitors linger and enjoy.
Ticket Prices
Ticket price for the peak season (February to October) is 100 yuan per person,
while the ticket price for the off-peak season (January and November to December) is 60 yuan per person.
Best Travel Time：Opening Hours: Daytime: 06:00-17:30;
Nighttime: 19:00-21:00
Travel Tips
Comfortable Attire: The Slender West Lake scenic area is vast and requires long periods of walking, so it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
Sun Protection and Heatstroke Prevention: During summer visits, please pay attention to sun protection and heatstroke prevention, bringing essentials such as sun hats, sunglasses, and water bottles.
Keep Quiet: During the visit, please keep quiet, do not make loud noises or litter, and respect cultural relics, historic sites, and the natural environment.
Safety First: When taking a hand-rowed boat or navigating through rockeries, please pay attention to safety and follow the instructions of staff.
Plan Ahead: It is recommended to check the opening hours and ticket information of the scenic area beforehand and plan your itinerary reasonably.
Slender West Lake has become a poetic painting in the hearts of tourists with its unique natural scenery and profound cultural heritage. Here, you can experience the delicate beauty of classical gardens and appreciate the charm of traditional Chinese culture. Let's enter the poetic world of Slender West Lake with an exploratory heart!
