The Charming Ancient Pavilions in Hangzhou

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An ancient pavilion often has a roof but no walls. In ancient times, it served as a public space by the roadside for passersby to rest. As the representative garden-style architecture of Jiangnan, the ancient pavilion has been one of the important cultural symbols of Hangzhou, a city in Jiangnan.

The ancient pavilions in Hangzhou all have their own "legends," some being the witness to history, some being the landmark of the city, and some having a touching story... It is also these ancient pavilions that make Hangzhou a classical and charming city.


Jixian Pavilion 集贤亭

Standing in the middle of the lake, Jixian Pavilion, known as the first pavilion in the West Lake, echoes with Baochu Pagoda on the opposite bank. As one of the 18 famous scenes of the West Lake known as "Horseback Archery at Tingwan” in the Qing Dynasty, it is an important symbol of the lake. The change of seasons makes it full of charm. After snow when it is wrapped in silvery white, it is even more beautiful.

Mudan Pavilion 牡丹亭



With quite a long history, Mudan Pavilion is situated in the center of the famous scene of the West Lake "Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor." It is at the highest point of the Peony Garden so it is the best place to watch the peonies. Every year, when all kinds of peonies are in full bloom, they are competing with each other, attracting visitors to revel in their beauty.


Xixin Pavilion 洗心亭

Xixin Pavilion is located on the famous Yunqi Bamboo Trail in Hangzhou. According to the records, Wuyun Temple was built here during Jin Dynasty. But after all these years, nothing has been left except for the pavilion in the bamboo forest. There is a pond named "Xixin Pond" next to the pavilion, the water of which is cool and clear. Behind the pavilion is a maple tree that is more than 1030 years old.


Cuiwei Pavilion 翠微亭



Situated halfway up Peak Flying Afar, Cuiwei Pavilion has a history of more than 800 years. This pavilion was built by Han Shizhong, a famous general of the Song Dynasty, who fought against the troops of Jin State on the battlefield, together with General Yue Fei. After he was framed by the traitor Qin Kuai and dismissed from his post, he chose to indulge himself in the beautiful scenery of the West Lake. And he often visited Peak Flying Afar to relieve his gloom. And this Cuiwei Pavilion was built by him to commemorate Yue Fei, his comrade in arms, who was put to death by the Southern Song government under a concocted charge.


Linhai Pavilion 林海亭

Located on Jiuxi Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou, the pavilion was built in the late Qing Dynasty. It is closed on two sides and open on the other two for people to rest. At present, there are six paintings inside, which record the legends of "Nine Creeks and Eighteen Gullies." In the pavilion, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Nine Creeks and Qiantang River on the way.

Qingzhao Pavilion

Qingzhao Pavilion was built to commemorate Li Qingzhao, a famous female poet of the Song Dynasty. It is an exquisite wooden pavilion, with four pillars, four sides, and a single-eaved gable-and-hip roof. Near a small pond, with a simple and elegant thatched roof, it creates a beautiful scene together with the bamboo fence in front of it, half of the fence at the back, and the surrounding cedar forests and streams.


On the May Day holiday, bring your parents or elderly family members to these ancient pavilions in Hangzhou to experience their charms which have gone through thousands of years.