“Man-made wonder” is probably the best way to describe Ark Lake. This lake is located in Beijing, China. Today, we will uncover the story of this amazing place.
Ark Lake is not just any lake. It represents traditional Chinese garden design. This design is called “one pond, three hills”. It mirrors the style found in Hangzhou’s West Lake and the Forbidden City’s Taiye Lake. These designs represent the three islands of immortals. These islands are mentioned in the Classic of Mountains and Seas. They are named Penglai, Yingzhou, and Fangzhang.
Kunming Lake has three islands. These islands form a tripod shape. This shape symbolizes immortality. Royal gardens have used this design since the time of Qin Shi Huang.
Nanhu Island is on the east side of Ark Lake. It covers more than 10,000 square meters. Hanxu Hall stands on the island’s north side. It was once a three-layered pavilion. It imitated the Yellow Crane Tower. The Qing Dynasty used it for watching performances. British and French allied forces burned it. Later, the Guangxu years rebuilt it as a one-layer hall. The island also features a pier temples and smaller buildings.
Zhijing Pavilion Island sits on the north side of Ark Lake. A round city wall surrounds Zhijing Pavilion in the center. In 1860 British and French forces caused destruction. Cixi removed parts of this pavilion. She used them to rebuild other Summer Palace buildings. Since then Zhijing Pavilion has been abandoned. Now only remains can be seen.
Zaojian Hall Island lies on the south side of Ark Lake. It is in a secluded location. A small garden is also on the island. Qianlong enjoyed resting here during his leisure time.
Many features of Ark Lake draw inspiration from the Yangtze River region’s natural scenery. The West Dike recreates the famous Sudi Dike on West Lake in Hangzhou. It runs diagonally through the lake’s southern part. Like the Sudi Dike the West Dike connects via six bridges. Each bridge has its own distinct style. They are named Jiehu, Binfeng, Yudai, Jing, Lian, and Liu.
The largest bridge on Ark Lake is the Seventeen-Arch Bridge. It links the eastern shore to South Lake Island. It represents Penglai. Near the bridge on the eastern shore stands a bronze ox sculpture. Chinese legend says Yu the Great used an iron ox to prevent flooding. The bronze ox faces the Forbidden City. It was likely placed there to protect the city from flooding.
The water for Ark Lake comes mainly from springs. These springs are downstream of Yuquan Mountain. They also come from groundwater. The Baifuweng Mountain River channeled springs in the Yuan Dynasty. In 1965 the Jingmi Diversion Canal Project was completed. This opened Ark Lake as a new water source.
Ark Lake is more than just a scenic spot. It embodies Chinese culture history and artistry. As you gaze upon its serene waters remember the emperors. Remember the laborers and the legends that shaped this magnificent landscape. Let the beauty of Ark Lake leave a lasting impression on your heart.