Orioles Singing in the Willows

Orioles Singing in the Willows

Orioles Singing in the Willows

Orioles Singing in the Willows is located on the southeastern shore of West Lake, near Qingbo Gate. During the Southern Song Dynasty, it served as an imperial garden known as Jujing Garden. In the Yuan Dynasty, the Hui Muslim merchant Aladdin built a mosque in Hangzhou and was buried here after his death, which became commonly known as the Huihui Tomb. The site was restored to its former glory as Orioles Singing in the Willows during the Qing Dynasty.

After the liberation, it was developed into a large park covering seventeen hectares. The park consists of four gardens: Friendship Garden, Orioles Singing Garden, Jujing Garden, and South Garden. The layout is open, fresh, elegant, and simple. Clusters of willows set off rare trees and flowers such as machilus, cedar, magnolia, peach blossom, crabapple, and rose. It is an excellent spot to enjoy the scenery of three sides of hills and one side of water, bringing a sense of tranquility and joy. On the eastern lawn of the park stands the "China-Japan No More War" monument, surrounded by Japanese cherry blossoms, symbolizing the friendship between the people of China and Japan.

The willows here take on various distinctive forms: some sway like a tipsy imperial concubine and are called Drunken Willow; others have lush foliage resembling a lion’s head, hence Lion Willow; from afar, some look like a maiden washing silk, known as Silk-Washing Willow. The area is also named Willow Islet. Orioles flit about, singing in competition, giving rise to the name Orioles Singing in the Willows. Strolling through the area, the dense shade of the willows stirs deep thoughts, while the delightful chirping of the orioles further ignites the imagination. A number of Japanese cherry blossoms and lawns have been introduced, enhancing the park's charm. The scenery is imbued with meaning, blending emotions with the landscape, creating a uniquely delightful experience.