A Stroll along Xingqing Lake

This weekend, I went to Xingqingong Park in Xi'an to see the autumn colors there. This park, the largest public park in Xi'an, is built on the site of the Xingqing Palace of the Tang Dynasty (616-907 AD). Walking through a traditional-style gate, we took a path leading to the main lake. Although it was overcast and hazy, the autumnal colors reflected nicely on the water's surface. Several traditional-style buildings peeked in between tall willow trees.

Traditional-style buildings along Xingqing Lake

Although it was fairly early in the morning, the park was already alive with people. Many others chose to take the path circumnavigating the lake.

Colorful boats, some styled with childhood characters, were parked along the shore. I can imagine that the lake would be dotted with them in the warmer weather.

In the distance, skyscrapers from a modern Xi'an contrasted sharply with the elegant traditional park structures.

Now that I've found this park, I am eager to return to it in the different seasons. It reminds me of my walks around the beautiful pond at Changgyeonggung Palace in Seoul.

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Shikaras ready on Dal Lake, Shrinagar - Kashmir, India

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Although the early spring day was overcast, the brightly painted Shikaras added a nice splash of color. 

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Crooked Branches and Leaning Trees

Despite the overcast skies, I was determined to get out and take some photos featuring the overnight snowfall. With the flat lighting, I would have to focus on other elements. These branches evoked a stark, but beautiful quality with their dynamic, wiggling lines.

These trees provided some nice diagonals, echoed with the opposing diagonal of the open waters at the shoreline.

See more Winter in Wisconsin photos on my Flickr album

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Boating around West Lake in Hangzhou

Despite the intermittent rains, visiting West Lake was a must. Situated at the heart of Hangzhou, it is considered to be one of the scenic wonders of China. Covering an area of around three square miles (8 sq km), West Lake is a popular place for boating and walking around its willow-shaded causeways & shores. 

I would love to revisit the city praised by Marco Polo and see the West Lake during better weather and different seasons. West Lake is on the UNESCO World Heritage list, noted for its natural beauty and cultural value which has influenced artists, poets, and architects.   

Boats of varying sizes plied the rather tranquil waters. Sails were seen in the distance. Due to the rains and some pollution, the green hills looked more like a hazy blue. 

Some parts had lotus plants which must look absolutely beautiful later in summer when blooming.

 Sculptures such as Zuang Shun and the distant golden water buffalo added some extra interest. In the distance is the "broken bridge" - one of many picturesque bridges along West Lake. I didn't have time to walk along the lake's two causeways. 

 We took a 40-minute boat ride. Fixed prices posted along the shores made it much more tourist-friendly.

Strolling along the well-maintained walkways along the shore is a favorite activity. Some places had cafés, restaurants, and shops, but the area I walked along didn't feel over-commercialized.

Pavilions, gates, and temples could be seen.

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A Shikara in Srinagar

Like any respectable tourist who visits Srinagar, my visit was not complete without a shikara boat ride on Dal Lake. My Kashmir friends and I boarded one of these narrow pointed boats with a roof covering our cushioned seating. A young smiling man agreed to row us around the lake, including past the beautiful wooden houseboats serving as luxurious hotels. Most of the houseboats had intricately carved façades - like an embellished Victorian home.  The interiors would be equally as fancy, decorated with Kashmir carpets and other ornate items. Considering the cost of some of the rooms in these houseboats, I found it a bit incongruous to find floating snack shops next to them, selling items including ramen noodles. Still early in the season, the lake was still rather quiet, with only a few other shikaras and no flower or produce sellers around. Likely though, it was their absence that made the ride more tranquil. 

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Pari Mahal, Srinagar

On another overcast day, we visited the Pari Mahal. Located on a ridge in the mountains overlooking Dal Lake, the garden consists of six terraces. It was designed by Mughal Prince Dara Shikoh as a royal observatory. The stone structures lacked any exterior embellishment, leaving me to wonder whether it had disappeared over the years or simply wasn’t as ornate as most Indian royal places. The grounds were prepared for the spring bloom and all trees & bushes neatly trimmed. No doubt their forthcoming colors would greatly enhance the scene. Pari Mahal provided great opportunities for viewing Dal Lake and the city below. On this overcast day, only limited visibility was available.

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Hari Parbat Hill and Fort

Having spotted the fort on the hills surrounding the old city, I was glad we would have a chance to go a bit closer. We stopped at the ruins of a Mughal-style building below the fort. Developed by the Afghan governor Atta Mohammad Kahn, the fort was enlarged to its present size in the 19th century. From the vantage point at the ruined building, we had a panoramic view of the old city, with its corrugated tin roofs, mosque pagoda spires, still-bare trees, and Dal Lake. Falcons encircled high above, screeching as they searched for food. 

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