Baoding scenic spot “Lianyi summer splendor”: ancient Lotus Pond

Ancient Lotus Pond, originally named Xuexiang Garden, is located in Lianchi District, Baoding City. It was established in the 22nd year of the Yuan Dynasty’s Tai Zu reign (1227) by Marshal Zhang Rou, Prince of Runan. The pond covers an area of 7,900 ㎡, with buildings covering 3,680 ㎡. Lotus Pond combines garden, imperial palace, and academy into one, with water as its highlight. Named after the lotus flowers, it features pavilions built around the water. The garden includes the elegant Wan Hong Bridge, curved bridges, and the White Jade Bridge built in the Yuan Dynasty. Mountains, water, towers, terraces, pavilions, halls, and pavilions are scattered among artificial hills, unique rocks, trees, and lotus ponds, creating a beautiful scene where “the lake contains views, and the views contain poetry.” It showcases the delicate, serene style of the ancient Lotus Pond. In the 26th year of the Yuan Dynasty’s Zhiyuan reign (1289), a major earthquake struck Baoding, destroying the garden’s buildings. It was repaired three times during the Ming Dynasty. In the 11th year of the Qing Dynasty’s Yongzheng reign (1733), Li Wei, governor of Zhili, established the Zhili Academy in Lotus Pond. Emperors Qianlong, Jiaqing, and Guangxu all stayed here during their tours. In the 34th year of Guangxu’s reign (1908), a two-story library building with 42 rooms was built within the Lotus Pond garden and opened to the public for reading. This was the earliest provincial library in Zhili Province. Ancient Lotus Pond combines the charm of an imperial palace garden with the style and essence of Chinese northern and southern garden art, vividly reflecting the characteristics of gardens from the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties.