Exploring China: Fuzhou, southern gem and capital of Maritime Silk Road

West Lake Park

Fuzhou’s West Lake Park has a history of more than 1,700 years, being one of two artificial lakes (the other one being the East Lake) built during the Western Jin Dynasty (265-316) in 282 AD. It already emerged as a popular tourist attraction during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and is today the best-preserved classical garden in all of Fuzhou. With its scenery a favorite among painters and writers in ancient times, it became known as “the bright pearl of Fuzhou gardens”. Beautifully laid out paths and bridges run through smaller gardens, temples and pavilions on the islands of the large 42-hectare lake area in northwestern Fuzhou.