Wushan recently launched a theme exhibition at its Youmei Hall, presenting a unique West Lake story to visitors. Featuring the history of the scenic spot, poems, literature works, calligraphy and paintings about it and historical photos, the theme exhibition tells stories about the history, dignitary figures and beautiful sceneries about Youmei Hall of Wushan. 

The theme exhibition has four chapters. The first chapter presents visitors the history of Wushan and Wushan’s 10 renowned sceneries during the Ming and Qing dynasties through old photos. The second tells stories of Wuyue State during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, and stories about Hangzhou during the Northern Song Dynasty. It helps visitors develop an in-depth understanding of Hangzhou’s historical profundity. The third one unfolds revolving around Youmei Hall. It presents the historical changes through masterpieces by Mei Zhi, Ouyang Xiu and Su Shi. The last chapter is about sports and Wushan. A favorable mountain by local residents in Hangzhou, Wushan attracts many people to have morning exercise, creating a dynamic culture for sports. This chapter showcases the healthy lifestyle of people in Hangzhou. 

Youmei Hall per se is a must-visit spot. In the second year of the reign of Jiayou Emperor (1057) in the Northern Song Dynasty, Mei Zhi left Beijing to work as the mayor of Hangzhou. Emperor Renzong presented him a poem when seeing Mei off. Showing gratitude for the emperor’s poem, Mei built a hall in Wushan when he arrived in Hangzhou and named the hall Youmei after Renzong’s poem line. Literary master Ouyang Xiu of the Northern Song Dynasty wrote a dedicated verse for the hall and inscribed the verse on a stele. Su Dongpo held many literary salons in the hall and left many masterpieces. A visit to Youmei Hall is like traveling through the time, where people can experience the cultural profundity of time-honored Hangzhou city. 

The exhibition will last till December 31.