Jieyang's Rongjiang West Lake Park—A Unique Charm in Lingnan

Strolling through the streets of Jieyang, the narrow, winding alleys seem endless. After walking for a while, the view suddenly opens up as I emerge from the old streets and arrive at a wide expanse of water. This is Jieyang West Lake. Jieyang is a city with a dense network of waterways. The most important river is the Rongjiang River, a wide river that flows south of Jieyang City and is considered the mother lake of Jieyang. During the Great Leap Forward in the 1950s, people built embankments on the north bank of the Rongjiang River in Jieyang's urban area, enclosing the water to form a lake. This is Jieyang's Rongjiang West Lake. Based on West Lake, West Lake Park was created and has become a famous scenic spot in Jieyang. West Lake Park is not large, but it is small and exquisite. Entering the park from the north gate, you are greeted by the Nine-Bend Bridge and the Lake Heart Pavilion, both built in the lake. The Lake Heart Pavilion, with its green glazed tile roof, seems to float on the lake's surface, looking particularly beautiful against the blue sky and white clouds. Walking along the Nine-Bend Bridge into the Lake Heart Pavilion, you'll find that the two-story pavilion is actually a single story, with hollow carved windows on all sides. The breeze blows in from the lake, making the pavilion a cool retreat even at the height of summer. Surrounding West Lake is a fitness trail. On the western side of the lake, the fitness trail extends into the lake, becoming an overwater boardwalk. The winding trail meanders over the lake, along the shore, and through the woods. A walk around the lake takes about an hour, with the scenery changing at every step, offering breathtaking views.