The Most Beautiful Guo Zhuang Garden: Nine Grids Aren't Enough

Guo Zhuang: The Crown Jewel of Classical Gardens in West Lake Known as the "Crown Jewel of Classical Gardens in West Lake," Guo Zhuang Garden is located on the west bank of West Lake in Hangzhou, along Yanggong Causeway. It stands as a prime example of Jiangnan gardens. Originally built in 1907 as a private garden, it features the "Sky-Opening Mirror" waterscape as its centerpiece, cleverly channeling the living waters of West Lake into the garden. Surrounded by winding corridors and dotted with pavilions, it boasts both the simplicity of the "Quiet Heart Residence" and the seamless integration of structures like the "Jing Su Pavilion" with the surrounding lake and mountains, showcasing the art of "borrowed scenery." Guo Zhuang Garden's beauty shifts with the seasons: spring blossoms adorn the branches, summer lotuses grace the ponds, autumn hues fill the corridors with chrysanthemums, and winter snow dusts the eaves. Each framed view is a painting, and every step reveals a new scene. Its elegant charm, intertwined with the shimmering waters of West Lake, creates a poetic dwelling where "there's a lake beyond the garden, and mountains beyond the lake." It truly deserves its reputation as the most beautiful park in Hangzhou.