You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
MY JOURNEY<br />
The lovers, the lotus<br />
dancers and the<br />
“bridge to heaven” in<br />
Impressions West Lake<br />
There are many stories surrounding the<br />
West Lake, most of them largely to do<br />
with the meeting and parting of lovers<br />
040<br />
bridges around the peaceful inner<br />
West Lake area, where residents can<br />
be seen practising their wushu or<br />
dancercise moves — a peace broken<br />
only when a speeding cruiser races<br />
towards some errant fi shermen.<br />
Once our little boat breaks out<br />
into the main Outer West Lake<br />
area, the spell is sadly broken as the<br />
skyline of the modern Hangzhou<br />
city appears in the distance. There<br />
are many stories surrounding the<br />
West Lake, most of them largely to<br />
do with the meeting and parting<br />
of lovers. The 2.6km Su Causeway,<br />
built by famous poet and Hangzhou<br />
Governor Su Dongpo during the<br />
early 11th century, is a case in point.<br />
Built with dredged mud from the<br />
lake with willow trees planted on<br />
its banks, this is a popular walk for<br />
lovers to take as the belief is that<br />
they will be together forever if they<br />
walk to the end of the six bridges.<br />
This theme of love found and<br />
lost is the premise of the outdoor<br />
choreographed theatre epic<br />
Impression West Lake by directors<br />
Zhang Yimou, Wang Chaoge and<br />
Fan Yue, with the haunting musical<br />
score by Japanese New Age muso<br />
Kitaro and the main song, Rain,<br />
sung by singer Zhang Liangying.<br />
The underwater stage fl oor —<br />
which makes the cast of 600 look<br />
like they’re dancing on water — the<br />
boat play, lighting eff ects, natural<br />
backdrop of the hills and the jawdroppingly<br />
amazing ‘bridge of<br />
heaven’ that rises out of the lake all<br />
shout what a memorable, only-in-<br />
China production this is. But it’s the<br />
human longing in the separation<br />
scene that lingers on and on. Much<br />
like how I feel when it is time to<br />
leave this ‘heaven on earth’.<br />
FROM ONLY S$198<br />
Jetstar Asia fl ies direct from<br />
Singapore to Hangzhou four times a<br />
week. Book online at<br />
MY EPIPHANY<br />
I had a private Tomb Raider<br />
moment when I braved<br />
the overgrown vegetation<br />
and slippery paths at the<br />
back of Amanfayun to lay<br />
eyes on six rock Buddha<br />
carvings dated between<br />
the 10th to 14th centuries<br />
which used to number over<br />
500 — a sight that not<br />
many visitors get. But I<br />
think I’ll leave a note of my<br />
whereabouts next time.<br />
TAKE ME THERE<br />
AMANFAYUN<br />
22 Fayun Nong, Xihujiedao,<br />
Xihufengjingmingsheng<br />
District, tel: +86 (571) 8732<br />
9999, amanresorts.com<br />
FEI LAI FENG<br />
SCENIC AREA<br />
Lingyin Si, Yongfu Si,<br />
Taoguangguanhai Si,<br />
Lingshun Si, Fajing Si<br />
(Refl ection), Fajing Si<br />
(Purity), Faxi Si. Entry into<br />
the area: CNY45 (additional<br />
CNY30 for entry into<br />
Longyin Si).<br />
SMALL BOAT CRUISE<br />
CNY120/hr, the hotel<br />
can book one for you or<br />
you can hail them from<br />
opposite the Shangri-la,<br />
Hangzhou or by any of the<br />
causeways.<br />
IMPRESSIONS WEST LAKE<br />
Yuehu Lake, tickets from<br />
CNY300, hzyxxh.com<br />
PHOTOS: CORBIS (ABOVE LEFT), ANNE LOH (ABOVE)
Change language