A 35,000-Step Stroll Through Slender West Lake with a Toddler—It's Not So Slender After All

Slender West Lake, originally named "Baozhang Lake," first appeared in Wu Qi's *Preface to Yangzhou Drum Songs* during the early Qing Dynasty. Legend also has it that the name originated during the reign of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty. Poet Wang Hang, captivated by the beauty of Baozhang Lake, believed its scenery was no less impressive than that of West Lake in Hangzhou. However, due to its narrower and elongated shape, he dubbed it "Slender West Lake" and composed a poem: "Weeping willows continuously meet remnants of weeds, Wild Goose Pagoda and Rainbow Bridge resemble a painting. It's also a melting pot of gold, So it should be called Slender West Lake." To fully experience the beauty of Slender West Lake, I took my toddler from opening to closing time: boating, walking, crossing bridges, entering gardens, wading, climbing hills, exploring flowers, moon gazing, enjoying snacks, watching shows, and leaving 35,000 footprints behind. 🌟Highlights: 1. Boating and Wading Slender West Lake, a branch of the Grand Canal's Yangzhou section, boasts dynamic waters with a distinct sense of depth. Although narrow and long, its clever design, featuring winding waterways, scattered islands, and bridges, creates a rich, layered effect. Drifting along the river, listening to the guide, admiring the weeping willows on both banks, watching water birds skim the surface, and feeling the gentle breeze is truly refreshing. The embankment design emphasizes the harmony between nature and human craftsmanship, incorporating natural vegetation and elaborate artificial stone embankments. The lake is dotted with islands of varying sizes, creating a scene where the lake embraces islands, islands hold lakes, and lake and islands intertwine. Walking along the embankment feels like being on the lake itself, navigating through water plants and lotus flowers, and encountering swans, other water birds, frogs, and dragonflies. 2. Walking, Crossing Bridges, Climbing Hills, Exploring Gardens, and Discovering Flowers "Two embankments of flowers and willows lean on the water, A road of pavilions and towers leads to the mountain." Walking along the lakeside paths, appreciating the scenery, one truly understands the meaning of seeking flowers and asking willows. Imagine the changing scenery with the four seasons: the vibrant greens and pinks of spring, the lotus flowers filling the lake in summer, the colorful foliage of autumn, and the silvery wonderland of winter. Every step at Slender West Lake reveals a new, picturesque scene. For instance, the Twenty-Four Bridge complements the White Pagoda, and the Five-Pavilion Bridge (Lotus Bridge) reflected in the water resembles a traditional Chinese ink painting. Speaking of gardens, Slender West Lake exemplifies classical Chinese garden art, blending the elegance of southern gardens with the grandeur of northern gardens. From the design of bridges, pavilions, and terraces to the layout of mountains and waters, it showcases the essence of traditional Chinese garden art. The pair of adorable stone lions in front of Small Golden Hill alone attracts countless visitors. 3. Moon Gazing, Enjoying Snacks, and Watching Shows As night falls, Slender West Lake transforms into a dazzling spectacle. The flower parade and light shows at nine scenic spots, including Lotus Bridge and White Pagoda, are truly captivating. Even quietly tucked away in a corner, looking up at the sky, you can't help but sigh: "One-third of the bright moon shines over the world, Two-thirds shines relentlessly on Yangzhou." 👍Most Recommended: 1. Daytime: Boat tour, Xu Garden, Small Golden Hill, Five-Pavilion Bridge, White Pagoda, Twenty-Four Bridge, Wan Garden, and Twin Peaks Cloud Path. 2. Nighttime: Nine meticulously planned performances at Spring Wave Bridge (Misty March), Xu Garden (Meeting a Soulmate over Wine), Small Golden Hill (A Dream of Nanke), Water and Cloud Scenery (Cloud Dress and Flowery Face), Five-Pavilion Bridge (Spring River Flower Moon Night), White Pagoda (Gathering of Merchants), Exquisite Flower World (Spring Breeze Ten Miles), Xichun Terrace (Two-Thirds Moon), and Ye Forest (Poetry Path and Painting Language). 🕙Opening Hours: 1. Slender West Lake Park: Daytime entry closes at 5:30 pm, and the latest exit time is 7:00 pm (visitors who haven't exited by then need to pay the price difference between daytime and nighttime tickets). 2. Nighttime hours: 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm; entry from 6:00 pm, entry closes at 9:00 pm; latest exit time is 9:30 pm (the north gate is closed at night).