Top Ten Scenes of the West Lake-Lingering Snow on the Broken Bridge
Broken Bridge is located at the east end of the Bai Causeway. As the story goes, the Broken Bridge was already completed early in Tang Dynasty. There is the word “Broken Bridge” in the poem Inscribe at Gushan Temple of Hangzhou written by Zhang Hu at that time. In 1921, the Broken Bridge was rebuilt with the height of 8.8 meters, the width of 8.6 meters and the clear span of bridge opening 6.1 meters. The present Broken Bridge is reconstructed in 1941 and decorated in 1950s. Beside the bridge there is waterside pavilion “in the cloud water” and the Lingering Snow on the Broken Bridge Stele Pavilion. In terms of the connotations of the Lingering Snow on the Broken Bridge landscape, there are different opinions about it. Generally, it refers to that after the winter snow, the snow at the sunny facet of the bridge has melted while at the shady facet there are still lingering snow as white as silver. Overlook from a high place, the bridge seems broken but actually not broken. Standing at the end of bridge to look around, all the faraway mountains and nearby waters are taken in the sight. This place is really a perfect place for appreciating snow scene of the West Lake. The reason why the Broken Bridge becomes famous is also related to the well-known Chinese folk legend Tale of the White Snake. According to the legend, this bridge is the one where Xu Xian and Lady White promised their love.