Yanggong Causeway Scenic Area

Updated: August 3, 2016 L M S

[Photo from en.gotohz.com]

Yanggong Causeway is one of the "Three Causeways of West Lake" along with Bai Causeway and Su Causeway. It's name commemorates Yang Mengying, the then governor of Hangzhou. Yang ordered the dredging of West Lake and the construction of a causeway out of silt. Connected by six bridges, the causeway is otherwise known as "Inner Six Bridges".

Along Yanggong Causeway lines seven scenic areas from north to south: Breeze-ruffled Lotus at Quyuan Garden, Golden Sand Harbor, Hangzhou Flower Nursery, Maojiabu, the Turtle Pool, Yuhu Bay and Viewing Fish at Flower Pond. Together they form the Yanggong Causeway scenic area.

[Photo from en.gotohz.com]

Well-known for its pink lotus blossoms and green lotus leaves swaying along with summer breeze, Breeze-ruffled Lotus at Quyuan Garden is one of the "Top Ten Views of West Lake". The view even awed Kangxi Emperor of Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), a who personally inscribed “Breeze-ruffled Lotus at Quyuan Garden” for the view. The stele with the original inscription still stands in the park.

It is the largest lotus park in China. During the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), Quyuan Garden used to be a notable wine workshop where in the summer, the bouquet of wine intermingled with the fragrance of lotus flowers. Now the wine workshop has been restored and visitors can get a glimpse of the art of ancient Chinese winemaking.

[Photo from en.gotohz.com]

Golden Sand Harbor is the place where the largest natural source of West Lake, Golden Sand Stream, flows into the lake. Golden Sand Stream gets its name from its clear sand. Gai Jiaotian, a famour Peking Opera artist (1888—1971), spent half of his life here. Even now, there are numerous locals bringing their tents and picnic baskets to spend their day here.

Not far from the Old Home of Gai Jiaotian lies Little Hidden Garden. The current garden features constructions made of red sandalwood with winding corridors, ancient-style carved windows, and now it’s a resort for tourists to enjoy chrysanthemums. The history of the garden can be traced back to the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), which was then known as Shi’an Garden.

Behind the garden lies a sad story. It's said there used to be a Lady Chrysanthemum good at both singing and dancing. She was working in court at the time however, she got sick and resigned from the court. A eunuch, Chen Yuan, admired her so much that he employed her to work in the Little Hidden Garden. For her incredible talent, Lady Chrysanthemum was again invited to work in the court, which made Chen Yuan unable to see her performances, and he later died of lovesickness.

Tianze Pavilion and Around-the-Jade Lakeside Residence are also worth visiting.

[Photo from en.gotohz.com]

The Hangzhou Flower Nursery was originally built in 1956 and is known as the best place to appreciate all kinds of flowers. Praised as "a pearl by West Lake", it faces West Lake in front and Western Hill in the back. The flower nursery features over 2,000 flowers grown in 300 thousand square meters. It consists of nine sections for potted plants, Chinese roses, orchids, chrysanthemums, herbaceous flowers, aquatic flowers, greenhouse flowers, tree peonies and herbaceous peonies.

Named after its widespread cough grasses, Maojiabu is a Jiangnan-style water village featuring rustic scenery. Compared to other scenic spots, it’s off the beaten track. In Maojiabu, sipping a cup of tea, while enjoying the golden swaying couch grasses is highly recommended. Pilgrims also gathered there, which made it an important place in Hangzhou Buddhist culture.

Maojiabu provides a window for visitors to understand Hangzhou Buddhist culture and the living style of water villagers. Historical attractions like the Former Residence of Du Jinsheng, Drunken Bai’s Wine Tower (the then governor of Hangzhou) and Reclining Dragon Bridge.