Pavillion On the West Lake 西湖
The area around the West Lake in Hangzhou is steeped in history. The lake was well known for centuries, as there were descriptions of the lake that go back way to the Song Dynasty 宋朝. According to historical records, there was a long bridge which was built on the waters of the West Lake, this bridge was almost a kilometer long hence garnering the name Long Bridge. The bridge was quite well known since the view from it was quite spectacular.
Long Bridge 双投桥
Sometime after, a couple jumped into the lake and drowned, at this very spot, lotus flowers immediately sprung up. Soon after the bridge was named Double Suicide Bridge 双投桥. Keep in mind that the West Lake wasn’t a lake before, it was during this time that the outlet silted up, making part of the bridge useless. This gave rise to the saying the Long Bridge Isn’t Long 长桥不长. Centuries later in the year 2002, a replica was built to commemorate the long lost bridge. It really isn’t very long now, but it is marked by an elegant pavillion near the shore of the lake.
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