Maojiabu, a dazzling pearl on the West Inner Lake

Far away, the hazy mountain colors of indigo; before your eyes, the glittering waves shimmer. The scenery here is identical to that of the West Lake, equally elegant and charming. It is the inner lake of the West Lake—the West Inner Lake. However, compared to the West Lake, which is also located in the Hangzhou West Lake Scenic Area, this place has less of the hustle and bustle of the bustling city and more of the tranquility and rustic charm of the fertile countryside. During the day, one can see the vast expanse of West Inner Lake with scattered sail shadows and low-flying water birds; at night, the lotus pond under the moonlight is quietly beautiful. The charming lake and mountain scenery is the 'Garden of Eden' that people in this world most envy and yearn for. In fact, in today's world of rapidly advancing technology and fast-paced society, what people hope for and long for is this kind of tranquil realm where they can 'steal a day of leisure and let nature fly'. Maojiabu, this dazzling pearl set in the West Inner Lake, is located on its northwest shore. Maojiabu, an ancient water town, has a long history that can be traced back to the late Song and early Yuan dynasties. Maojiabu, also known as Mao's Wharf. According to the 'Old Events of Wulin' written by the Song dynasty scholar Zhou Mi, the name of Maojiabu originates from the Mao family village by the West Inner Lake, where the villagers are all descendants of the Mao family, who have lived here since the Song dynasty. They have lived a pastoral life that is the envy of the world, growing tea and raising silkworms, and living a simple life with plain tea and meals. Maojiabu, with its willows swaying on the shore and reeds fluttering, is shaded by greenery and full of wild charm. Scattered throughout the scenic area are quaint sights such as the Xiang Ancient Path, Tongli Ancient Bridge, Wufeng Thatched Cottage, plank roads and bridges, and reed huts. It is worth mentioning that the Xiang Ancient Path in the Maojiabu scenic area was the necessary route for pilgrims who landed at Maojiabu to go to the three temples of Tianzhu south of Feilai Peak or the various Buddhist temples of Lingyin north of Feilai Peak in ancient times. The ancient Xiang Ancient Path was muddy and rugged, sometimes overgrown with weeds and sometimes paved with cobblestones. In the late 1940s, after the Lingyin temples were connected by road, this long-standing 'Xiang Ancient Path' gradually became desolate and silent. Today, the Xiang Ancient Path specifically refers to the rural road from Yanggong Dike to Maojiabu, which is also a scenic route for visitors to Maojiabu. As the main scenic part of the Maojiabu scenic area, the scenery along the way is pleasant, and it can be said that 'every step changes the view, and every glance is a scene'. Along the riverbank of Maojiabu, there are many farm-style restaurants with simple and unique designs, nestled in the dense shade of trees, reminiscent of the 'Oshino Hakkai' at the foot of Mount Fuji in Japan. The meals here are varied and casual, with something to suit everyone. After wandering around the Maojiabu scenic area, take a break at a riverside restaurant, order a few dishes of farmhouse cuisine, and perhaps some beer, and you'll find it extremely pleasant. Su Dongpo, a great literary figure of the Northern Song Dynasty, has a well-known verse that goes, 'I would compare the West Lake to Xi Shi, for whether lightly or heavily adorned, she is always alluring.' The 'lightly or heavily adorned' here actually has a specific reference: if the West Lake is the heavily adorned beauty, then the West Inner Lake, as part of the greater West Lake area, is the lightly adorned beauty. And Maojiabu, located on the shore of the West Inner Lake, is even more a prime tourist area that combines beautiful lake and mountain scenery, wild charm, and natural beauty.