Slender West Lake, Yangzhou – Ticket Price, Opening Hours, Transportation and Highlights

Among the numerous attractions surrounding Slender West Lake, the Grand Rainbow Bridge stands as one of Yangzhou’s “Twenty-Four Scenic Spots.” Originally constructed during the Ming Dynasty’s Chongzhen era, this bridge stretches gracefully over the waters of Baoyang Lake. The bridge was initially built with red wooden railings, earning it the name “Red Bridge.” However, in the first year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign during the Qing Dynasty, the bridge underwent significant reconstruction, and its name was changed to “Rainbow Bridge,” which reflects the bridge’s resemblance to a colorful rainbow. Today, the Rainbow Bridge stands as a 7.6-meter-wide three-arch stone bridge, showcasing both its historical significance and architectural grandeur.

The Five Pavilion Bridge, a structure with a history spanning over two centuries, was constructed during the 22nd year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign in the Qing Dynasty. This iconic bridge features five distinct pavilions, each perched atop the bridge’s unique decorative posts. The pavilions are adorned with intricate carvings, celestial murals inside, and delicate wind chimes outside. Below the bridge, the foundation consists of 12 massive stone blocks, forming a robust “工” shaped base. The bridge itself is composed of a series of varying-sized arched openings. As one passes beneath the bridge on a boat, they can count a total of 15 openings, connected in a harmonious sequence.

Xiaojinshan is the largest island within Slender West Lake, and it is home to some of the most densely concentrated architectural marvels in the region. On this island, you’ll discover enchanting structures such as Wind Pavilion, Blowing Terrace, Qin Chamber, Muxi Library, Chess Room, and Moon Overlook. The name “Xiaojinshan” has an intriguing origin. Legend has it that two monks, one from Yangzhou and the other from Zhenjiang, were engaged in a friendly debate. The Zhenjiang monk asserted, “The green mountains disdain Yangzhou’s commonness. There is not even one peak across the river.” Naturally, the Yangzhou monk disagreed, sparking a bet. Eventually, Yangzhou’s monk outplayed his opponent, leading to the naming of “Xiaojinshan,” meaning “Little Golden Mountain.”

The White Pagoda, rising to a height of 27.5 meters, stands with elegance and grace at the lakeside. Below the pagoda is a magnificent octagonal base adorned with three niches on each of its eight sides. Inside these niches, intricate carvings of the twelve zodiac animals can be admired. The story behind this splendid pagoda has roots in Emperor Qianlong’s sixth visit to Slender West Lake in 1784. As he gazed upon the scenery near the Five Pavilion Bridge from the water, he lamented, “It’s a pity that there’s no white pagoda; otherwise, this would resemble the Qiongdao Island in Beihai.” Unbeknownst to the emperor, a wealthy Yangzhou salt merchant took immediate action. That very night, he used white salt bags to craft a makeshift white pagoda, and the story of the “One-Night Pagoda” continues to be cherished to this day.

Xu Garden, located just north of the Spring Willow Promenade along Slender West Lake, has a history that dates back to the Qing Dynasty when it was known as Hanyuan Peach Blossom Lodge. In 1915, to honor the memory of General Xu Baoshan, a hero of the Xinhai Revolution, the garden was transformed into Xu Garden. Covering an area of 0.6 hectares, the garden is compact and exquisitely designed.

Within Xu Garden, the Tingli Pavilion (Listening to the Orioles), inspired by the poetic line “Two yellow orioles sing amid the emerald willows, while white egrets soar into the azure sky,” stands as a testament to its literary origins. The pavilion features intricately carved wooden screens, representing the pinnacle of Yangzhou’s architectural craftsmanship. The garden also includes a small pavilion, a charming gazebo, and a picturesque pond, along with carefully arranged flora, bamboo, and stones, which collectively epitomize the elegance of traditional Jiangnan gardens. Every autumn, Xu Garden hosts Yangzhou’s annual Chrysanthemum Exhibition, adding an extra layer of beauty and cultural significance to this enchanting location.

The “Twenty-Four Bridges” of Yangzhou are immortalized in the famous poem by Tang Dynasty poet Du Mu: “Amid the azure hills and waters so vast, autumn lingers, and southern grass still lush; on a moonlit night by the Twenty-Four Bridges, where is the lovely lady who plays her flute?” Slender West Lake boasts a complex of structures that collectively represent these bridges, including the Luofan Trestle, a single-arch stone bridge, the winding Nine-Curve Bridge, and the charming Chui Xiao Pavilion. The centerpiece of this ensemble is the Jade Ribbon Bridge, measuring 24 meters in length and 2.4 meters in width. The bridge features 24 steps on each side, and its elegant design is adorned with 24 white jade railings and 24 balusters.

Throughout history, there has been ongoing debate about which bridge the “Twenty-Four Bridges” refers to, and the question continues to captivate the imaginations of visitors to this day.

Adjacent to Slender West Lake lies the Slender West Lake Hot Springs Resort, a haven of relaxation and rejuvenation. This 13-hectare resort features 68 distinct hot spring pools, divided into public and private areas. The public areas encompass a diverse range of thematic spaces, including lakes, streams, rockeries, waterfalls, bridges, pavilions, and bamboo-lined pathways, each offering a unique and delightful experience.

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