A quiet corner, Xihu, Westlake, Hangzhou
When: May 2019 Weather: Cool 19C
Leica M10P 35mm Summilux, Nikon P900
Our host graciously arranged dinner for us at La Villa Restaurant in the quiet Yuhu Bay area of Xihu, near the Yanggong Causeway as we had been to several of the more well known restaurants around the lake itself. Arriving at 5pm, and after drinks, the woods beckoned and we explored for an hour prior to dinner…
The entrance of La Villa Restaurant
Heading away from the restaurant, we soon found our way to a little channel with a wooden pavilion next to it…
A pied wagtail flitted amongst the greenery
and posed briefly
the tree lined waterways were quiet and few people were around…the reflections on the still water were eyecatching
even in black and white…..
A beautiful azure winged magpie greeted us
blackbird in the meadow
blackbird up close
more beautiful reflections
Through a break in the woods, I glimpsed a bridge…
a long bridge…
The beautifully graceful Jihong Bridge
Jihong Bridge, near the Yangong Causeway, Yuhu bay…picture perfect tranquility
beautiful also in black and white
Light vented bulbul calling over Jihong Bridge….this could be the descriptive name of this area!
Across the lake was the Yuhu Pavilion
Yuhu Pavilion nestling in the trees
another symmetrical bridge
classical chinese stone bridge
Graceful ladies, graceful pavilion
This charming little red headed duck bade us farewell whilst we made our way back to the charming La Villa Restaurant for an excellent French meal.
Westlake or Xihu in Hangzhou is very famous but I have to say that I have been underwhelmed by it in the past….too many people, too much traffic and I have seen prettier lakes….but I obviously have not given enough time to explore some of the less well know parts of Xihu…this hour spent in a remote corner of Westlake yielded much more stunning vistas than I’d ever seen before and the point must be that Xihu cannot be hurried…it yields its secrets to the patient….explore, seek and enjoy the hidden treasures of this verdant corner of Hangzhou.
The Natural Traveller 