Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, Stone pagodas in West Lake, China.
Three Pools Mirroring the Moon consists of three hollow stone pagodas rising about 2 meters (6 feet) above the water surface, arranged in an equilateral triangle formation. Each pagoda features five round holes that connect underwater, creating a unified structure designed to produce reflections when illuminated.
The original stone pagodas were built during the Northern Song Dynasty to mark a no-planting zone within the lake. They were later reconstructed during the Ming Dynasty and have remained a defining feature of West Lake since then.
During the Mid-Autumn Festival, locals place candles inside the pagodas and cover the holes with white paper, creating multiple reflections on the lake surface that mirror the moon above.
The pagodas are accessible year-round during daylight and early evening hours, best visited by boat from the shore. Clear nights offer the best viewing conditions for seeing the reflections on the water surface.
The five holes in each pagoda are connected underwater, revealing a sophisticated hydraulic design that has endured for centuries. This engineering allows light and water to interact, creating the illusion of multiple moons when illuminated from within.
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