Hubin Pavilion

Hubin Pavilion

　Located in the center of West Lake. Smaller than the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon but larger than Ruan Gong Islet, together they are known as the “Three Fairy Isles of Penglai”—Hubin Pavilion is “Penglai,” the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon is “Yingzhou,” and Ruan Gong Islet is “Fangzhang.” During the Song and Yuan dynasties, there used to be a Hubin Temple on the island, which later collapsed. In the Ming Dynasty, the prefect Sun Meng built Zhenlu Pavilion, which was later renamed Qingxi Pavilion and became the predecessor of Hubin Pavilion. From Hubin Pavilion, one can gaze out at the panoramic lake view, with the surrounding mountains lined up like green screens. This view is known as “Peaceful Panorama from the Lake Center” among the Eighteen Scenic Spots of West Lake. Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty inscribed a plaque here that read “Contemplating All Living Things in Silence,” as well as a couplet: “Waves roll the lake light far; hills press the water’s hue deep.” On the southern side of the islet, there is also a stone tablet oddly inscribed with “虫二,” supposedly another imperial calligraphy by Qianlong. It is said to represent the phrase “boundless breeze and moonlight,” created by removing the outer strokes of the characters “风月” (breeze and moon), a form of wordplay often favored by literati—even emperors couldn’t resist such fancies. It’s also worth mentioning Hu Lai Chao’s “Inscription on Hubin Pavilion’s Pillar”: “All year round music plays, yet poor souls still grieve under moonlit skies; flower and willow-lined bridges span six spans, leaving no space to grow mulberry or hemp.”

“Spring waters float green as a single pearl; sunset tints crimson three bows of land.” This is a brilliant depiction of the scenery at Hubin Pavilion. Along with the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon and Ruan Gong Islet, it is known as one of the “Three Islands in the Lake.” Together, they form a tripod-like formation known as the “Three Fairy Isles of Penglai” in West Lake.

The architecture of Hubin Pavilion features carved beams and painted rafters, resplendent in gold and splendor. Its upturned eaves and double-tiered structure, crowned with yellow glazed tiles, give it a majestic and solemn appearance. Surrounded by water and complemented by flowers and willows, the pavilion is home to the “虫二” stone tablet within its green shades, said to have been inscribed by Emperor Qianlong and hinting at the phrase “boundless breeze and moonlight.” From Hubin Pavilion, one can admire West Lake with its emerald waters encircling the islet and verdant mountains standing in the distance, presenting a harmonious blend of water and mountain scenery—this is what is referred to as the “Peaceful Panorama from the Lake Center,” one of the “Ten Scenes of Qiantang” in the Qing Dynasty. Visitors here may feel as though they are beholding the “Palace of Penglai floating in the midst of the waters.”