Fuzhou West Lake Park – The Oldest Park in Fuzhou

Upon entering the main gate of West Lake Park, visitors are greeted by the scenic “Fairy Bridge Willows.” Historically, people would visit West Lake by crossing the Fairy Bridge from the western city gate. In ancient times, the bridge lay over the emerald waters, with plum and willow trees planted along the lake’s shores, creating a picturesque scene. In the summer and autumn, the lake would be adorned with ten miles of fragrant lotus flowers, offering a vibrant display of green willows and red flowers. During winter, the frost-resistant red plums would bloom, releasing a subtle fragrance into the air.

Today, “Fairy Bridge Willows” continues to captivate visitors with its seasonal beauty. In March, the peach blossoms bloom brilliantly, resembling clouds of color. Visitors strolling among the flowers create an enchanting scene that is likened to a brocade belt adorning the lake from a distance. In April, the flying willow catkins add a whimsical charm. Summer brings dense greenery, with cool breezes rustling through the willow branches, providing a refreshing escape from the heat. Even in winter, the green willows remain, evoking comparisons to the ancient landscape.

Kaihua Temple, located within Fuzhou West Lake Park, is the oldest building in the park. According to legend, it was built during the fourth year of the Northern Song Dynasty’s Jingyou period (1037). During the Ming Dynasty’s Jiajing era (1522-1566), Prefect Wang Wensheng funded its reconstruction. The current structure dates back to the 44th year of the Qing Dynasty’s Kangxi reign (1705), rebuilt by Governor Jin Shirong.

The temple complex features a main hall, a meditation hall at the rear, bell and drum towers on either side, with guest rooms to the left and the abbot’s quarters to the right. In the 13th year of the Qianlong reign (1748), Governor Pan Siqu renovated the lake and temple. In the 26th year of Qianlong (1761), Prefect Li Ba built the Yunzhong Hall within the temple. Over the centuries, many notable figures contributed to the temple’s maintenance and restoration. The temple was once famed for its numerous lychee trees, similar to those at Fuzhou’s Xichan Temple.

Wanzai Hall, located to the east of Kaihua Island, serves as a memorial hall for poets from central Fujian. It was initially constructed during the Ming Dynasty’s Zhengde era (1506-1521) by poet Fu Ruzhou as a retreat for himself and fellow poets, including Gao Xi. The hall’s name, derived from the verse “The solitary mountain still stands in the middle of the water,” reflects its serene setting.

In the 41st year of the Qing Dynasty’s Kangxi reign (1702), Wanzai Hall was rebuilt as a lakeside pavilion. During the 13th year of the Qianlong reign (1748), poet Huang Ren led efforts to restore the hall, establishing it as a gathering place for Fuzhou’s literary community. The hall was later destroyed by floods but was reconstructed in the 4th year of the Daoguang reign (1824). Three years later, in 1827, Lin Zexu, a prominent official, used Wanzai Hall as an office while overseeing the reconstruction of West Lake. In 1914, after West Lake was converted into a public park, Wanzai Hall was refurbished, preserving its legacy as a cultural landmark.

The park is also home to several charming pavilions, each with its unique history and purpose. The Lotus Pavilion, situated at the foot of Da Meng Mountain near the long embankment of the upper Beijing Post Road, is surrounded on three sides by the lake and features an abundance of lotus plants. It is an ideal spot for enjoying tea, admiring the lotus flowers, and listening to traditional music.

North of the Lotus Pavilion is the Huanghua Pavilion, while to the east lies the Ying’en Pavilion. These structures were historically used to welcome and bid farewell to royal envoys and officials. During the renovations led by Lin Zexu, Huanghua Pavilion was transformed into a shrine dedicated to Song Dynasty hero Li Gang, known as the “Li Zhongding Gong Temple.” Lin Zexu personally planted two osmanthus trees here, naming the area “Gui Zhai” after Li Gang’s later residence in Fuzhou.

West Lake Academy, located within Fuzhou West Lake Park, is a notable historical and cultural site. Originally, the site was home to the “Wutong Temple,” dedicated to deities of local folk religion. During the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty, a plague ravaged Fuzhou, and the townsfolk fervently worshipped at the temple, hoping for divine intervention.

Observing the situation, the then magistrate Chi Weicheng decided to dismantle the Wutong Temple and replace it with a site for venerating the esteemed Confucian philosopher Zhu Xi. Subsequently, local scholars and notables petitioned to establish an academy on this foundation to promote education and scholarly pursuits, leading to the creation of West Lake Academy.

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