Exploring Little West Lake Park in the Ancient City
Located in the southwest corner of the ancient city, long ago it was an inconspicuous pit and pond known as 'Southwest Pit', also known as 'White Clothes Hall Pit'. After the protection and renovation of the ancient city, it has been completely transformed, becoming a beautiful Eastern-style garden known as 'Little West Lake' Park.
Today's Little West Lake boasts pavilions, corridors, arched bridges, flowing water, and a profusion of flowers, a vibrant scene that's hard to imagine its former appearance. Surprisingly little-known is this small water area, which is contemporary with the ancient city and has a history of a thousand years.
Over a thousand years ago, 'Lion's Eye Red Hollowed Old Prefecture' occurred, when the Yellow River flood destroyed the city, and the location of Chatiao (now Xu in the current development zone) was also relocated to the location of today's ancient city. In the southwest direction of the ancient city, there was a village called 'Twenty Li Shop' because it was twenty miles from Old Prefecture.
During the Song Hui Ning 2nd year, Chatiao (Chatiao) built city walls, and 'Twenty Li Shop' was included within the city, the village name became the street name, 'Twenty Li Shop' street's history is one of the most historical streets and alleys in the ancient city.
In the legends passed down by the people of Chatiao, it was the pit and pond of 'Twenty Li Shop' old village. A thousand years of time have passed, the pond has dried up and filled up, increased and decreased, the earth has become brick, the canal brought prosperity, the ancient city has a new life, this pit and pond has watched over the ancient city for a thousand years.
Located by the south wall of the old city, follow the southwest corner tower, enter Little West Lake, you can see a pavilion in front of you. It is about 12 meters high and 15 meters wide, made of pure stone carvings, with four pillars, three halls and five pavilions, with upturned eaves, crouching beast ornaments, and intricate patterns. This pavilion was originally located on the west side of the tower street, and has since been relocated to Little West Lake.
The pavilion faces south and writes 'Another World' horizontally on the front plaque, and a couplet is written vertically on the side pillars. The top couplet is 'East Chang Lake sweeps the clear wind, the wind bathes everyone, the breeze is clear, people enjoy it; Guang sees the bright moon, the water immerses the moon, the moon is bright, the water is bright.' The back plaque of the pavilion writes 'Clear Heart' two characters, and the vertical couplet is 'Flowers bloom, flowing water has its own spirit; birds sing, fish play, each has its own innocence.'
Because the pavilion writes 'Clear Heart', it is also called 'Clear Heart Pavilion'. The pond, green trees, artificial hills, arched bridges, pavilions, and corridors are paved with stone, with winding paths and alleys, profusion of flowers and trees, lush greenery, poetry and painting are all in it. This situation is quiet and peaceful, a great place to clear one's mind and relax.
Source: Water Ancient City
