Daguan Lou, Historical pavilion in Xishan District, China
Daguan Lou is a three-story wooden pavilion on the western shore of Dianchi Lake in Xishan District, Kunming, set within a large park. The main building rises above the surrounding gardens and smaller halls, offering an open view of the water from its upper floors.
The pavilion was first built in 1696 under the order of governor Wang Jiwen and was damaged or destroyed several times by floods and conflict over the following centuries. The 1883 restoration brought it back to the form that stands today.
The name Daguan means "broad view" and refers to the open panorama over Dianchi Lake seen from the site. The carved verse on the entrance pillars draws many visitors who stop to read it carefully before entering the pavilion itself.
The park grounds are easy to explore on foot, though comfortable shoes help since the paths between garden sections can be long. Visiting in the morning tends to be quieter, as the site gets busier as the day goes on.
The verse carved onto the entrance pillars runs to 180 characters and is considered one of the longest rhyming couplets in Chinese literature. It was written by the poet Sun Ranweng in the 18th century and covers both the landscape of Dianchi Lake and the history of the region in a single flowing text.
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