Solitary Hill
 |
||||||
|
||||||
| Solitary Hill | ||||||
| With a height of 38 meters, this hill got its named for "stands alone in the West Lake". It is the lowest hill among all hills near the lake, however, the largest island in West Lake.
Solitary Hill is noted for its ingenious layout that combines artificial and natural scenery. The imperial abode for rulers of the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) on the hill now serves as a park and a museum. Plum in Solitary Hill has long been famous all over the world since the Tang dynasty (618 - 907). During the Northern Song dynasty (960 - 1127), Linbu, a celebrity, had lived here for 20 years, devoting most of his life into planting plum blossoms and raising cranes here. Phrase "plum wife and crane son" originated from this story. Fanghe Pavilion (Crane Pavilion) at its north foot is lovely with spring and winter plum blossoms of varied colors, pink, white, scarlet, etc. With Zhejiang Museum, Zhejiang Library, Wenlan (Flourishing Literature) Pavilion, etc. dotting at the south foot of the hill, Solitary Hill is also a place of cultural interest |