No. 10: Orchid Pavilion
Located in the southwest suburbs of Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province, the Orchid Pavilion is famed for both its history and stylish garden views.
In the beginning, the Orchid Pavilion was the site where Gou Jian, King of the Yue State during the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC), planted his orchids.
The location later became famous for inspiring the works of Wang Xizhi (303-361), a renowned calligrapher of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420), who is traditionally referred to as the Sage of Calligraphy. His 353 "Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion" turned the Orchid Pavilion into a Mecca of calligraphy. The work describes a get-together of 42 literati at the pavilion during the Spring and Brightness Festival. The goal of that meeting was to compose poems and enjoy wine.
The location of the pavilion has been moved a number of times and the current pavilion was restored on the site where it had been placed during the reign of Emperor Jiajing of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Its gardening design still reflects that of the Ming-and-Qing Dynasties (1368-1911). The pools, pavilions and bridges around the pavilion are also worth taking a look at.
Admission: 40 yuan (US$6.28)/person
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