Lixia Pavilion

Lixia Pavilion

Lixia Pavilion

To the east of the Lake Center Pavilion, on the largest island in Daming Lake, the area is embraced by green willows and dotted with pavilions and towers. The long-standing Lixia Pavilion stands majestically on the small island. The island spans about 4,160 square meters. Since Lixia Pavilion is a widely celebrated ancient pavilion of the Haiyou region, people have gradually come to refer to the whole island and its buildings as Lixia Pavilion. It is also called Ancient Lixia Pavilion, named for its location south of Li Mountain (Qianfo Mountain).

Lixia Pavilion has a long history, and its location has changed several times. From the Northern Wei Dynasty to the Tang Dynasty, Lixia Pavilion was situated at Wulong Pool and was called the Guest Pavilion, built by the government to receive distinguished guests. It was not until the early Tang Dynasty that it became known as Lixia Pavilion. As early as the Kaiyuan era, Li Yong, who became close friends with Du Fu in Chang’an despite their age difference, once hosted a banquet for Du Fu and notable figures from Jinan at Lixia Pavilion. On that occasion, Du Fu composed the poem "Accompanying Magistrate Li of Beihai at the Feast in Lixia Pavilion": *The eastern lord in his black-canopied chariot stays; / The northern islet o’er the clear stream far away. / Of ancient days this pavilion in the east stands high; / In Jinan dwell so many men of note and fame. / The cloud-kissed hills inspire my poetic mind; / Jade pendants tinkle as the singers sing with grace. / The bamboos green care not for the summer’s burning heat; / The streams flow on though no one comes to see their face. / In this true haunt I feel my longings satisfied; / But what can I do when the sun declines on high? / Both high and low are slaves to worldly things; / With you I cannot hope to meet again.*

The poetic gathering and feasting of Li Bai and Du Fu at Lixia Pavilion brought widespread fame to this ancient Haiyou pavilion. The couplet “Of ancient days this pavilion in the east stands high; / In Jinan dwell so many men of note and fame” has, for thousands of years, become a source of pride for Jinan.

By the end of the Tang Dynasty, Lixia Pavilion had gradually fallen into disrepair. It was rebuilt during the Northern Song Dynasty at the back of the state government residence on the southern shore of Daming Lake. After several more cycles of rise and decline, in the 32nd year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1693 AD), Li Guangzu, the Salt Transport Commissioner of Shandong, reconstructed Lixia Pavilion on its current site in the middle of the lake. The pavilion stands in the center of the island, supported by eight pillars, with bracket sets bearing up the structure. It features an octagonal, double-eaved roof with upturned corners, a pointed spire at the top, and decorative ridge beasts along the roofline. Below the pavilion, wooden seating rails encircle the area, and inside, there are stone-carved lotus-shaped tables and stools for visitors to rest. Under the second eave hangs a red plaque with golden characters inscribed with the name “Lixia Pavilion,” written by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty. To the west of the pavilion are three halls with red pillars and blue tiles, featuring verandas on all sides, named “Azure Veranda.” To the west of the veranda lies the vast expanse of the lake. On a clear day, the sky and water blend into a seamless sapphire blue, crystal-clear like jade, hence the name Azure Veranda. To the north of the pavilion is a large hall with five bays, a flush-gable roof, and carved floral window panels, called the “Famous Scholars’ Hall.” It has been a gathering place for literati and scholars throughout the ages. The plaque above the “Famous Scholars’ Hall” was inscribed by Zhu Qingyuan, a calligrapher from the late Qing Dynasty. The couplet reads: *Willows and spring breeze bring boundless joy; / Lotus and autumn moon glow over Daming’s light.* This was penned by Guo Moruo. On the western wall of the hall are stone engravings depicting Li Yong, the governor of Beihai in the Tang Dynasty and a master calligrapher, as well as the great poet Du Fu, alongside portraits of 15 notable figures from Jinan spanning from the Qin and Han Dynasties to the end of the Qing Dynasty. The eastern wall features a stone tablet inscribed with a poem about Lixia Pavilion by He Shaoji, a poet and calligrapher of the Qing Dynasty. The poem recounts how his friends Chen Bifu and Chen Jingliang renovated the pavilion and describes the famine he witnessed in Shandong.

To the south of Lixia Pavilion is the main gate, flanked by east and west corridors. At the eastern end of the corridor is the “Lakefront Pavilion,” with a wall plaque inscribed by He Shaoji, calligraphy by Chen Jingliang, and text dated to the ninth year of the Xianfeng reign. At the western end is the “Lotus Aroma Tea House,” a three-bay structure with flying eaves and verandas. The plaque above the gate features a couplet from Du Fu’s poetry, *Of ancient days this pavilion in the east stands high; / In Jinan dwell so many men of note and fame*, handwritten by He Shaoji. The gate is adorned with a red plaque bearing golden characters reading “Ancient Pavilion of the Haiyou Region.” To the east of the gate lies a horizontal stone tablet inscribed with the words “Lixia Pavilion,” written by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty. To the west is the Imperial Stele Pavilion, with red pillars, blue tiles, and a square pointed roof, connected to the west corridor. Inside the pavilion stands a stone stele engraved with a poem about Daming Lake, written and inscribed by Emperor Qianlong.

Southeast of Lixia Pavilion stands an ancient willow tree, towering by the lakeshore. Though its trunk and branches are withered, new shoots have sprouted from the bark, tender and pale yellow-green, evoking a sense of tender affection. It is said that this ancient willow is over 160 years old—a remarkably long lifespan for a willow tree.

The entire Lixia Pavilion Island is a harmonious ensemble of pavilions, towers, verandas, and corridors, interspersed with slender bamboo and fragrant flowers. In summer, the green willows veil the mist, and clear waves carry light boats. In autumn, the refreshing golden winds waft through, and the fragrance of lotus blossoms fills the air—so enchantingly beautiful it captivates the heart, so elegantly refined it commands reverence.

Transportation

Take bus routes 11, 41, K11, K91, K95, or K98 to the Daming Lake Southwest Gate Station, then walk to reach the site.

Ticket

No entrance fee, but access requires taking a scenic area boat, which costs 20 RMB per person.

Location

Within Daming Lake Scenic Area, No. 271 Daminghu Road, Lixia District, Jinan City