Lotus Villa

Lotus Villa

Lotus Villa is situated in the southeast corner of Huzhou city. Its original location was south of what is now Nanyuan Primary School, known for its picturesque surroundings and regarded as a scenic gem of the area. The celebrated Yuan Dynasty artist and calligrapher Zhao Mengfu built his private retreat here and named it Lotus Villa. Owing to Zhao’s official title as Hanlin Academician Grand Secretary, the estate earned the name “Scholar’s Villa” and enjoyed fame throughout the Jiangnan region. This was where Zhao Mengfu studied in his youth, later returning here during his middle years for rest while away from home, and finally settling back in his old age. Although the villa remained well-preserved during the Ming Dynasty, it was destroyed by the end of the Qing Dynasty. In 1986, the Huzhou Municipal People’s Government restored it slightly south of its original site according to historical records, and incorporated the adjacent Qianyuan Garden (the villa of Lu Xinyuan, a renowned bibliophile of Gu’an County during the Qing Dynasty), merging the two into one cohesive area. Covering a total area of 112 mu, with one third consisting of water surfaces, the site is divided into three scenic zones. It opened to the public during the 1987 Spring Festival and has since become a major cultural attraction in Huzhou.

West Zone. The main gate faces Hengtang Road. The plaque above the gate was inscribed by the renowned calligrapher Zhao Puchu. Upon entering, on the left side stands a stone stele engraved with Zhao Mengfu’s handwritten “Ode to Wuxing”; in front of the stele is “Qingbian Residence,” and behind it is “Jifang Garden.” On the right side are “Qingsheng Pool” and “Qingsheng Pavilion.” To the east of the pool lies “Lotus Isle,” with “Puyun Spring” in the middle. In the southern part of the pool, there is a long islet in the water, atop which sits a double-eaved square pavilion named “Baizhou Isle.”

Central Zone. At the front is the Lotus Pond, and behind it are gently undulating low hills. By the pond are built “Songxue Studio” and “Oubo Pavilion,” connected by a winding corridor. To the west of the studio stands “Lotus Peak,” an original rock formation belonging to Zhao Mengfu, inscribed with the seal script “Lotus Peak” — a handwriting of his own. Behind the studio is the Ink Pond and “Yinshui Mountain House.” The structures on the hill — “Tishan Tower,” “Songxue Studio,” and “Oubo Pavilion” — were among the most memorable buildings in Zhao Mengfu’s life, where many of his masterpieces were created. “Tishan Tower” is said to have been the residence of Madam Guan, and to its east lies a large grove of plum and bamboo trees, among which “Qingjue Pavilion” derives its name from Madam Guan’s skillful and exquisitely refined paintings of plum blossoms and bamboo.

East Zone. The landscape begins with a rockery screen, featuring the “Three-Ranked Stone.” To the east is a cave-style gate inscribed with the name “Crystal Palace.” Upon entering, pavilions and towers of varying heights are scattered about, with stream light shimmering everywhere. To the left is a corridor inlaid with calligraphy works by Zhao Mengfu; to the right is a covered bridge called “Yingdai Bridge,” connecting to the “Daya Hall.” Further back are “Xiaoqing Pavilion,” “Twin Pavilions,” and “Chrysanthemum Slope,” facing “Hongliao Ting,” while to the southeast are “Startled Swan Bridge” and “Chenghuan Temple.”

The reconstructed Lotus Villa offers ever-changing seasonal scenery and endless charm. The villa features inscriptions by contemporary artists and calligraphers such as Wu Zuoren, Huang Miaozi, Wu Xiaoru, Wang Qiuye, Feng Qiyong, Guo Zhongxuan, Qian Zhonglian, and others.