Introduction of Fishing Islands
Located deep in the center of the lake, Fishing Islands was where traditional stringed and woodwind music instruments used to be played. Legend has it that when Emperor Qianlong wandered here, he went off on a passing fancy to try to fish in the lake. However, not a single fish bit the bait though the emperor had his every whim indulged under normal circumstances. Like a cat on hot bricks, Yangzhou’s salt merchants who accompanied Qianlong secretly selected several good sailors to dive into the water with live fish and the sailors breathed through the lotus stalk by holding lotus leaves above the water surface. In this way, the emperor couldn’t be more satisfied as the live fish caught the hook immediately he dropped the fishing rod.
In China, a great many tourist attractions are called Fishing Islands , but the one in Yangzhou is the smallest in size with its own features. As a typical example of China’s famous gazebo structure, Yangzhou’s Fishing Islands serves a representative of China’s garden framework arts. Standing at an oblique angle of 60 degrees on Fishing Islands, one can from its northern round hole have a fantastic view of the ripples under the Wuting Bridge and from its southern oval hole the towering White Pagoda. Therefore, Fishing Islands is also a must-photograph place for visitors from out of Yangzhou.
We have visited Little Golden Hill. From here, the main part of the Slender West Lake comes into view. The faraway and nearby pavilions and trees in picturesque disorder seem to widen and deepen the water surface as if it were a vivid traditional Chinese painting.