Slender West Lake
Slender West Lake is the premier attraction in Yangzhou. The park, lined with willow trees, picturesque pagodas, and loads of history has enough to keep a visitor busy for the entire day. During spring the park is an expansive wonderland of flowers and budding trees. There are few enclosed c...
Slender West Lake is the premier attraction in Yangzhou. The park, lined with willow trees, picturesque pagodas, and loads of history has enough to keep a visitor busy for the entire day. During spring the park is an expansive wonderland of flowers and budding trees. There are few enclosed city parks in China as impressive as this, making Slender West Lake a must visit.
Five Pavilion Bridge, the unofficial symbol of Yangzhou, is found here connecting the slender lake’s shores. The bridge was constructed nearly five hundred years ago. Always bustling with activity, the bridge offers excellent elevated views of the lake. It’s also a reliable place to catch a pleasant breeze to help visitors cool down a bit on a hot summer day.
Boat rides are also a fun way to explore the lake. They can be hired quite easily (around 10 yuan per person), or rented on your own for more freedom. Within the park there is a Buddhist nunnery and a large white, somewhat out of place, Tibetan Chorta. Countless side paths, bridges, pavilions, calligraphy halls, and the historic Gong He Chun Restaurant, specializing in dumplings, pot stickers, and noodles fill up the rest of the park grounds. Following the lake north leads all the way to Da Ming Temple and Guan Yin Monastery.
Just over the stone bridge from the park’s south gate is the Yangzhou Potted Plant (Bonsai) Garden, which is another beautiful place to wander. This park is on an island in Willow Lake and maintains hundreds of very old, and actually quite interesting potted plants. The ticket to Slender West Lake also includes admission to this park. The street opposite the entrance naturally has numerous souvenir stores and restaurants.
Combo Ticket: For 110 yuan you can get a combo ticket which includes the entrance fees to Slender West Lake, a small museum within the Slender West Lake scenic area, Ge Yuan and He Yuan. It also includes a twenty minute ferry ride down The Grand Canal. The ticket can be purchased at the south entrance (南门) but may not be available at other entrances.
Bus numbers 4, 5, 6, and 16 all go to Slender West Lake. Alternatively, you can take a pleasant walk northwest from the city center to reach the park. The park covers the entire NW part of Yangzhou. The south entrance is near the arched stone Hongqiao bridge.
Shanghai Sculpture Space
The Shanghai Sculpture Space (上海城市雕塑艺术中心) emerged on to the Shanghai art scene with its grand opening on November 11, 2005. Despite being hidden behind a mini restaurant strip mall on Huai Hai Road, the museum is anything but modest with an impressive history and remarkab...
The Shanghai Sculpture Space (上海城市雕塑艺术中心) emerged on to the Shanghai art scene with its grand opening on November 11, 2005. Despite being hidden behind a mini restaurant strip mall on Huai Hai Road, the museum is anything but modest with an impressive history and remarkable collection of Chinese modern sculptures.
The restoration and reuse of this historic building represents a relatively new concept in China, but the result is equally as appealing as the restoration efforts in the posh area of Xintiandi. Built in the early 20th century, the warehouse was originally a steelmaking factory that had long stood unused before developers recognized its potential.
The sculpture exhibited in the space is modern, completed by Chinese National artists within the past 100 years. The styles of sculpture are diverse, but even the novice art enthusiast will appreciate the fun and often straightforward themes that are conveyed. Be sure not to miss the second space behind the original warehouse which houses sculptures by new artists. I particularly enjoyed the sculptures of daily Chinese life, as well as several sculptures that represent the tragedy of September 11, 2001 in the United States.
For a quick fix of some culture in a city full of great food and shopping, this museum is definitely worth a visit! The museum is free, but as of December, 2005, provides no English translation on the sculpture descriptions. Ask for a translator and, if you are lucky, you will be provided with a tour guide who will give you some details in English.
Website: http://www.sss570.com/
Unfortunately no subway station near by, so hop in a cab and head away from the Bund on Huai Hai Road – unless you get stuck in traffic you’ll be there about 10 minutes after you pass XiangYang Market (襄阳市场).
