It’s probably been over twenty years since the last time I took a boat ride on West Lake. Time really flies. Over the years, I’ve admired West Lake from countless angles and spots, yet never once got back on a boat—until this recent visit. This time, I treated myself like a tourist, as if I had never seen the lake from the water, never watched the sunset over its surface, and experienced everything for the first time again.
It was quite an interesting feeling. I’ve seen West Lake dozens of times—at different hours, in different seasons, and with different people. But somehow, being on the water felt completely different from standing on the shore.
Fortunately, luck was on our side that day—the weather was great. We took the cruise in the late afternoon to fully enjoy the sunset view. This particular route didn’t stop at any islands; it simply circled around the lake before returning to the pier.
Across the water stood Baoshu Pagoda.
We passed by the famous “Three Pools Mirroring the Moon,” a scenic spot best appreciated up close when taking a hand-rowed boat.
In the distance was the renowned Leifeng Pagoda. The real ancient relics are preserved only in the underground level—the rest of the structure is a modern reconstruction. I went on this boat ride with my younger brother. Back when I lived in Hangzhou for a few years, he was still in school, so we rarely had the chance to meet—maybe only during summer and winter breaks. Sharing this experience with him, revisiting a place I once knew so well, chatting and enjoying the scenery together—it felt peaceful and special.
Moments like this are rare between brothers, and they’re worth cherishing. After all, time only moves forward, and such opportunities will only become fewer.
0 留言