Ruan Gong Islet Submerged in Greenery

There are three artificial islands in the West Lake: Three Pools Mirroring the Moon (Lesser Yingzhou), Huxin Pavilion (Mid-Lake Pavilion), and Ruan Gong Islet. Ruan Gong Islet came to be after the Zhejiang Governor Ruan Yuan dredged the West Lake in the fifth year of Jiaqing (1800 AD) of the Qing Dynasty, so the later generations addressed it as Ruan Gong Islet. It is the smallest island among the three islands of the West Lake.

In 1981, Greenery Mountain Resort was built on the island. Within the resort, the banner flies higher than the tips of trees and flutters with wind, a style reminiscent of ancient customs. In the center of the islet is a clearing, and to the northwest a courtyard lives, made up of halls, verandas, short fences, and wood gates. On the southeast bank, there is a dock and a round pavilion with cedar barks woven into its roof. Palms form columns placed on the northeast bank. The pavilion is called “Yiyun”, which refers to Ruan Yuan. The small island appears to float upon clear, green waves and is hidden away among flowers and clusters of trees, just like crystal emeralds on a jasper plate. The name “Ruan Gong Islet Submerged in Greenery” comes from that. The whole environment, with faraway mountains and nearby water, is open and bright, and clear and quiet.

Address: West Lake Scenic Area