Xijia Pond

Xijia Pond

Xijia Pond is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Hubei Province.

Xijia Pond in Xiangyang is located at the southern foot of Phoenix Mountain (also known as Baima Mountain), about five kilometers south of Xiangyang City, Hubei Province. It was built during the Jianwu era of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25–56 AD). Xiyu, the Marquis of Xiangyang, following the fish-farming methods of Fan Li, a minister of the Yue State in the late Spring and Autumn Period, constructed an earthen dam sixty paces long and forty paces wide at the foot of Baima Mountain, and built a pond to raise fish using water from Baima Spring.

Xijia Pond is the earliest ancient private garden in the region. In the early Eastern Han Dynasty, Xiyu, the Marquis of Xiangyang, built a dam and pond in front of his residence, introducing water from Baima Spring. A fishing platform was constructed in the pond, and pine and bamboo trees were planted in rows. Later generations called it “Xijia Pond,” and it was expanded and renovated by successive dynasties. By the time of the Southern Song Dynasty’s Yin Huan, who renovated it, the scale was already quite impressive. During the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty, Nie Xian, the deputy military inspector of Jingnan, also built a platform and pavilion in the pond. In the fifth year of the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty, Zhou Kai, the prefect, constructed two smaller ponds east of the main pond; during the Tongzhi era, Fang Damao, the prefect, named them “Splashing Pearls” and “Half Moon.” During the Tang Dynasty, Xijia Pond was a popular spot frequented by famous literary figures such as Meng Haoran and Pi Rixiu. Pi Rixiu even penned the renowned poem “Morning at Xijia Pond,” praising its wonders: “At dawn’s fresh hush, with wine I come, / Cool winds caress the pavilions. / A few kingfishers dart away, / While lotus blooms greet the sun’s ray. / Deep reeds hide fishing boats from sight, / Fish ripple where the waters glide. / Beneath the bamboo screen I tread, / And linger till I lose the tide.”

Stories Behind the Scenic Spot

During the Yongjia era of the Western Jin Dynasty (307–312), when Shan Jian was stationed in Xiangyang, he often held banquets here. Following the example of Li Yiji of the early Han Dynasty, who called himself the “Drunkard of Gaoyang,” he renamed the place Gaoyang Pond Pavilion.

During the Yongjia era of the Western Jin Dynasty, Shan Jian, the General Who Pacifies the South, was stationed in Xiangyang and frequently held feasts here, often drinking to the point of drunkenness—hence the name “Drunkard of Gaoyang,” which led to the naming of Gaoyang Pond Pavilion. During the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Xizhuo, a descendant of Xiyu, studied by the pond and wrote history from the pavilion, leaving behind the timeless masterpiece *The Spring and Autumn Annals of the Han and Jin Dynasties*, through which he became a renowned historian, further enhancing Xijia Pond’s fame. After the Jin Dynasty, Xijia Pond fell into disuse for a time. It was restored during the Jiading and Baoding eras of the Southern Song Dynasty. In the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty, Deputy Pacification Commissioner Nie Xian renovated it. During the Jiajing era, Deputy Commissioner Jiang Hui also built temples dedicated to Xizhuo and Du Fu. The pond underwent multiple reconstructions and renovations over time, with structures around it including Fengquan Pavilion, Lotus Terrace, and the tomb of Xiyu.

Surrounded by mountains, Xijia Pond features ancient pines and cypresses, murmuring streams, pavilions nestled among the greenery, fragrant flowers, and birdsong—a tranquil landscape. In the center of the pond stands a double-eaved hexagonal pavilion on a round platform, commonly known as the “Lake Center Pavilion.” It is encircled by carved stone railings, offering views of blooming lotuses and leisurely swimming fish. Since ancient times, poets and scholars have often come here to compose poetry, and today many visitors come to see sights such as Baima Spring, the fishpond, and the pavilions. Although only the hexagonal pavilion, lotus pond, Splashing Pearl Pond, and Half Moon Pond remain, it remains a scenic destination.

The pavilion has a double-eaved hexagonal pointed roof, with high upturned eaves and flying corners. It stands 6.5 meters tall, with a width of 4 meters on the front facade. The eave pillars are square stone columns, sturdy and simple in an elegant, classic style. The overhanging eaves and horizontal beams are adorned with auspicious patterns such as “Heaven Bestows Blessings,” “May All Go Well,” “A Pair of Bats,” “Rhinoceros Gazing at the Moon,” and “Phoenix Spreading Its Wings”—all vivid and lifelike. The pond surrounding the pavilion is filled with lotuses. Splashing Pearl Pond is crescent-shaped, with a spring bubbling beneath and an ancient locust tree shading above. Fish swim in the pond, creating a delightful atmosphere as you stroll the garden and approach the water.

It is said that during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Xizhuo, a descendant of Xiyu, studied by the pond and wrote history from the pavilion, leaving behind the timeless masterpiece *The Spring and Autumn Annals of the Han and Jin Dynasties*. Through this, he became a renowned historian, further enhancing Xijia Pond’s fame. The area by the pond once had Fengquan Pavilion, Lotus Terrace, and the tomb of Xiyu, all surrounded by mountains, ancient pines, a murmuring stream, pavilions nestled among the greenery, fragrant flowers, and birdsong—a serene landscape that attracted poets and scholars since ancient times. During the Yongjia era of the Western Jin Dynasty, Shan Jian, the General Who Pacifies the South, was stationed in Xiangyang and often came here to drink. After getting drunk, he would call himself the “Drunkard of Gaoyang,” hence Xijia Pond was also known as “Gaoyang Pond.” The Tang Dynasty poet Meng Haoran once sighed, “In the days of Xiangyang’s glory, Lord Shan often got drunk at Xijia Pond.”

During the Tang Dynasty, Xijia Pond was a popular spot frequented by famous literary figures such as Meng Haoran and Pi Rixiu. Pi Rixiu even penned the renowned poem “Morning at Xijia Pond,” praising its wonders: “At dawn’s fresh hush, with wine I come, / Cool winds caress the pavilions. / A few kingfishers dart away, / While lotus blooms greet the sun’s ray. / Deep reeds hide fishing boats from sight, / Fish ripple where the waters glide. / Beneath the bamboo screen I tread, / And linger till I lose the tide.”

Xijia Pond once had Fengquan Pavilion and Lotus Terrace, with the tomb of Xiyu to the north of the pavilion. Surrounded by water on three sides and facing water on one, with verdant mountains, shimmering waters, red flowers, and green willows, the scenery is delightful and has attracted many visitors throughout history.

Backed by Baima Mountain and embraced on three sides, Xijia Pond looks south toward the Han River, where sails appear in the distance. To the northwest lies the hazy outline of Lumen Mountain. The park is dotted with towers, pavilions, and terraces, set against a backdrop of green branches brushing the shore, pink lotuses reflecting on the water—an idyllic natural scene. Visiting Xijia Pond is even better under the moonlight. Whether it’s a full moon like a mirror or a crescent like a sickle, gazing up at the eaves hanging over the pavilions or down at the ripples on the pond brings a sense of peace, leisure, and visual delight.

Address: Southern Foot of Phoenix Mountain, Xiangcheng District, Xiangyang City

Type: Lake

Recommended Visit Duration: 1–2 hours

Opening Hours:

The scenic area is currently under reconstruction.

Xizhuo, courtesy name Yanwei, was a renowned literary figure and historian of the Eastern Jin Dynasty from Xiangyang (present-day Xiangfan, Hubei). A member of a prominent family in Jingchu, he was a descendant of Xiyu, the Marquis of Xiangyang from the Eastern Han Dynasty. Xizhuo was multi-talented, ambitious from a young age, and widely known for his scholarship and writing. He was also well-regarded for his eloquence and was friends with the literati Han Bo and Fu Tao. An expert in metaphysics, Buddhism, and historiography, his major works include *The Spring and Autumn Annals of the Han and Jin Dynasties*, *Records of Elders of Xiangyang*, *Biographies of Recluses and Sages*, and *Collected Works of Xizhuo*. Among these, *Records of Elders of Xiangyang* is one of China’s earliest biographical collections, and *The Spring and Autumn Annals of the Han and Jin Dynasties* is a historically influential masterpiece... More details about Xizhuo++

Marquis of Xiangyang, Xiyu

Xiyu, courtesy name Wentong, was a native of Xiangyang and the son of Rong. He initially served as an imperial attendant.

He accompanied Emperor Guangwu of Han, Liu Xiu, on a visit to Lique (now part of Yicheng, Xiangyang). Both dreamed of the deity of Suling Mountain, and because of Xiyu’s contributions, Liu Xiu enfeoffed him as the Marquis of Xiangyang. Xiyu built a shrine on Suling Mountain and erected two stone deer on both sides of the spirit path in front of the shrine. The locals called it the Deer Gate Temple, and Suling Mountain was subsequently renamed Deer Gate Mountain.

In the southern part of Xiangyang’s Xianshan Mountain, he created a fishpond following Fan Li’s fish-farming methods. The pond was bordered by a dam, with bamboo, catalpa, lotus, and water chestnuts covering the water’s surface—this place became known as Xijia Pond. Shan Jian, the General Who Pacifies the South of the Jin Dynasty, stationed in Xiangyang, often... More details about Xiyu++

Guanyin Pavilion Community: Introduction to the Guanyin Pavilion Community Committee

The Guanyin Pavilion Community Committee is located just outside the southern gate of Xiangcheng, in a typical urban-rural fringe area. It stretches from Hubei Pharmaceutical Factory in the south to Material Company No. 102 on Shengli Street in the north, from Xianshan Mountain in the west to Shijiamiao Community Committee in the east, covering an area of approximately 2.6 square kilometers. The jurisdiction has 7,051 households and a population of 20,117, including 6 resident groups with 518 households, 1,560 people, and 41 Party members. The community party organization is well-established, with 1 Party general branch, 2 Party branches, and 6 Party groups. Guanyin Pavilion Community has always been committed to building a first-class community... More details about Guanyin Pavilion Community++

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Hubei Provincial Cultural Heritage Sites