Weizi Cultural Park

　　Weizi Cultural Park, situated on Weishan Island, was constructed to honor Weizi, the 19th-generation ancestor of Confucius and a wise official of the Shang Dynasty. Weizi, also named Qi, was the founding ancestor of the State of Song in the Zhou Dynasty and the half-brother of King Zhou of Shang, the last ruler of the Shang Dynasty. Dissatisfied with King Zhou’s debauchery, he left in indignation and lived in seclusion on what is now Weishan Island. Weishan Lake, Weishan Island, and Weishan County all derive their names from the fact that Weizi once lived in hiding here during his lifetime and was buried here after his death.

　　　　Covering an area of over 400 acres, Weizi Cultural Park includes attractions such as the Three Sages Hall, Wenchang Hall, Yuanjun Hall, the Tomb of Prince Muyi, and the Chongde Pavilion, showcasing the Yin-Shang culture dating back more than 3,000 years. Upon entering the main gate, the “Yuanjun Hall” and “Wenchang Hall” stand on the left and right respectively. Right ahead stands the majestic “Three Sages Hall,” which houses three statues of Weizi, Bigan, and Jizi from the Shang Dynasty. The hall walls are adorned with colorful painted murals depicting historical stories. The Tomb of Prince Muyi features a stone stele erected in the fifth year of the Xining era of Emperor Shenzong of the Song Dynasty (1072 AD) by Fu YaoYu, the prefect of Xuzhou. The front of the stele bears the seal script inscription: “Tomb of the Sage Prince Muyi of the Song.” Muyi, also known as Ziyu, was a notable politician and military strategist during the Spring and Autumn period. He was the 17th-generation descendant of Weizi and the half-brother of Duke Xiang of Song. When Duke Xiang ascended the throne, Muyi served as his chief minister. His exceptional strategic insight is evident in the “Debate at Hong River” during the great battle between Song and Chu at the Hongshui River. Out of admiration for the revered Weizi, Muyi chose to be buried on Weishan Island after his death. The Chongde Pavilion has nine stories, each nine meters high, totaling 81 meters in height, making it the tallest pavilion-style building in China and known as the “Tallest Pavilion in Asia.” Its combination of classical Chinese architecture and modern sightseeing elevators is unique in China. Today, the Chongde Pavilion has become a new iconic landmark on Weishan Island. Visitors can take the sightseeing elevator to the top of the pavilion to enjoy the breathtaking view of Weishan Lake, where “boundless lotus leaves stretch to the sky and lotus blossoms glow red in the sun.”

　　　Weishan Lake Ecological Lotus Garden, located on the northern side of Weishan Island and by the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, spans a total area of over 4,000 acres. Leveraging the beautiful ecological environment and rich folk cultural resources of Weishan Lake, the park has carefully created three premium scenic attractions: the Lotus Culture, Fishing Culture, and Water Culture. Daily scheduled performances of cormorant fishing by large cormorant fishing teams are held, alongside demonstrations of traditional on-boat folk life by local fishermen. There are also various water recreation activities such as pedal boats and fishing, as well as waterside teahouses for visitors to relax and enjoy the scenery. It has become an ecological park with distinctive fishing village characteristics and a comprehensive lakeside tourist destination integrating sightseeing, leisure, vacation, entertainment, dining, and shopping.

　　 Weishan Lake Ecological Lotus Garden and Weizi Cultural Park on Weishan Island lie along the same axis, forming a tourism and sightseeing corridor that embodies the harmony between mountain and water, as well as the integration of history and nature.