Pavilion of Misty Rain

As one of four most renowned lakes in Zhejiang Province, South Lake in downtown Jiaxing is world famous for its misty rain view. Having a broad sight across the lake, the verdant hills reflecting in the clear water appear in an amazing picture, which embodies soft drizzles and light gauzed fogs over the lake. There being an islet in the heart of the lake, and ancient architectural complex modeled by Pavilion of Misty Rain on the islet, within its boundary are interlaced with pavilions, long corridors, rockeries and flower ponds.

Originally on the bank of the South Lake, Pavilion of Misty Rain was erected in the middle of Five-dynasty period. In 1548 AD, during Jiajing Emperor of Ming Dynasty, the local government dredged the waterways and piped up the mud into the lake, forming an islet. The pavilion was rebuilt next year on the islet which was compared to lesser islet, in accordance with the original appearance. "Seeing afar from the tower, commanding a great foggy view, because gentle rain is about to set in, smoky mist is covering the lake." This poetic and eye-catching scenery attracts a large amount of visitors from all over the world. It got the name by quoting a poem written by Du Mu “the Southern Dynasty 480 temples, how many pavilion be in the misty rain”. The pavilion is surrounded by low walls and twisted balustrades, with winded long causeways in all directions. Upon stepping into the main entrance, you will see Qinghui Hall, with a stele carved “yanyulou” (烟雨楼, Pavilion of Misty Rain) inlaid in its northern wall. The floor has a height of about 20 meters, and coverage of 640 square meters, with double eaves, pictured ridgepoles, red pillars and spotless windows. The front eave of the floor has a hand-written stele by Dong Biwu who is one of the revolutionists launched the China’s communist party in a pleasure boat on South Lake. Absolutely, it is the birthplace of the Chinese revolution.

Feast your eyes on the beautiful sceneries in different seasons: take a bird’s eye view from the Pavilion of Misty Rain in spring or enjoy the green covered lotus pools in summer. Go to the southeastern bank of the islet, you will see a medium-sized pleasure boat, which is a commemorative ship imitated from the old one, on which the first Congress Communist Party of China was being held. It is now being remade and perfected.