Breeze-ruffled Lotus at Quyuan Garden which features in lotus ranks the 2nd of Top Ten View just after Spring Dawn at Su Causeway. In Southern Song Dynasty, Quyuan Courtyard was an official vinery which located on the bank of the West Lake beside the Hongcun Bridge on the Linyin Road where many lotus were planted. In summer breezes, the air was scented with delicate fragrance of lotus intermingled with the tasteful bouquet of wine. However, the courtyard was very much neglected and the nearby lake silted up. It became a small garden with a small pavilion, a veranda and a few lotus flowers planted in the water in front.
Started from 1983, an extension project has been under way to develop it to a huge park. Currently, the park includes five sections: Yue Lake, Bamboo Garden, Lotus Garden, Winding Garden and Lakeside Forest. Therefore it is very popular attractions for the tourists with General Yuefei's Tomb, Guo’s Villa and Hangzhou Botanical Garden around. |