Beneath the soft glow of moonlight, experience the magic of Autumn Moon on the Calm Lake. This isn’t just a place. It’s an experience. Autumn Moon on the Calm Lake lets you immerse in centuries of tradition.
Tonight, we find ourselves at one of the ten best views of West Lake. But in the Southern Song Dynasty, “Autumn Moon on the Calm Lake” described the experience of viewing West Lake by boat. Especially on a full moon autumn night.
Emperor Kangxi visited Hangzhou during the Qing Dynasty. He named the top ten West Lake attractions. A stone tablet was erected. It had the inscription “Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake”. This spot sits at the western end of the Bai Causeway. Water surrounds it on three sides, with Solitary Hill behind. The area covers 6,000 square meters. Since then, this lakeside spot represents night boat trips on the lake in autumn.
Imagine sitting by the placid lake on a moonlit night. This experience has long been cherished. Autumn Moon on the Calm Lake is the perfect location for this.
As you lean over the window of the pavilion-like waterfront building, behold a panoramic view. The lake and surrounding hills stretch before you. The moon shines bright over the calm lake. Water and sky merge into one color. Cool breezes stir. The lake and the moon become one entity. Willow trees and flowers reveal different charms in the moonlight. It’s as if people and the moon share a private conversation.
Time and space seem to disappear. Seeing each other at such a night on the lake brings immense pleasure. Human worries vanish through centuries. But the changing moon remains eternal. Perhaps the autumn moon isn’t as soft as the spring breeze. Yet, the spring breeze envies the autumn moon’s brightness.
Since the 1950s, Autumn Moon Over the Calm Lake has been refurbished and extended. Flowers and plants dot the landscape. Artificial rocks add to the scenery. Pavilions and storied wood buildings blend harmoniously with the lake. Tourists gaze out from these buildings. They see the moon over the lake and the wooded hills on the other side. This landscape evokes a range of emotions in visitors.
This location offers tranquility to appreciate the moon. You can sip tea. Stroll along the lakeside path. Find a spot in the woods. Sit idly in the shadows. Think of nothing. Feel everything.
During the Mid-Autumn Festival, people celebrated with special foods. “Small crisp and sugary cakes like the moon” appeared during the Northern Song period. Families decorated houses and pavilions. Common folks gathered at restaurants and taverns. They watched the moon. Music filled the air. Children played late into the night. Night markets stayed open until daytime.
Here at Autumn Moon on the Calm Lake, the lotus flowers add beauty. The largest lotus growing region in West Lake lies here. The scenic spot faces the lake. It is backed by Solitary Hill. This gives a broad vision. Lotus blossoms match perfectly with the full moon.
Remember the poets of the past. Wang Wei wrote of the “cold light” covering “ten thousand acres’ sky”. Chen Yunping laughed at the “cramped Moon Palace”. He lauded “what a night this vast mortal world is endowed with”. Xu Wei’s acrostic poem spelled out Ping Hu Qiu Yue. “Calm lake reflects ten thousand acres’ autumn in a single color”.
As our time here draws to a close, carry with you the serene beauty of Autumn Moon on the Calm Lake. Let the memory of the moonlit waters and the ancient stories inspire you. May you find peace and joy in the simple act of appreciating the moon.