The summer solstice through the eyes of the lotus｜夏至 观荷

荷

花

Flowers bloom with summer’s advent… 

as the lotus opens itself to the world

花开半夏，又是莲灿时

十里荷塘｜Shili Hetang

The mere mention of observing and appreciating the lotus in Shaoxing will, for most locals, immediately bring to mind the “Shili Hetang (Ten Mile Lotus Pond),” spanning nearly 40 hectares, nestling directly adjacent to the Jinghu Wetland Park. Regardless of its size, surroundings, or location, its intrinsic essence places it among the gold standard in lotus appreciation destinations throughout the province, inviting the apt secondary title of the “Quyuan Garden” of Shaoxing. 

说起在绍兴赏荷，不少人第一个会想起“十里荷塘”，此处荷塘有600余亩大小。荷塘毗邻镜湖湿地公园，不论是规模，抑或周边环境，它都称得上赏荷界一块金字招牌，可谓绍兴的曲院风荷。

Entering the pond’s seemingly limitless expanse brings seas of green, touches of pink playfully interspersing from the wind’s gentle push, as the lotuses take their time in revealing all. Long, pining willow branches sway softly on the bank, almost as conductors to the symphony within, “connecting the lotus of the earth with the skies above.”

驱车进入十里荷塘，满眼是碧绿的荷叶，高高低低的荷叶间，躲着一朵朵含苞待放的荷花，微风吹来，俏皮地露出一抹抹粉红。岸边杨柳晃动着枝条，与湖上荷叶相互映衬，真有“接天莲叶无穷碧”的架势呢。

光明居｜Guangming Residence

A few days ago, the lotus flowers of Guangming Residence on Qixian Street were in wanton bloom, lotus lovers rushing from far and wide to witness the spectacle in all its glory. Standing at the front of the pool, gentle lotus winds and soft lotus rhymes caressing your eyes and ears, from the dark fragrance of the water’s depths rising a kaleidoscope of colors. The full spectacle of summer this year not quite yet arrived, glories of summers rushing back, … endless memories of summer solstices gone by.

日前，齐贤街道光明居的荷花恣意绽放，爱莲人奔赴匆匆。临池而立，轻挽荷风莲韵，迎一池暗香拂面，潋滟一身花色，还未赏够初夏的风景，却在似水流年里与夏至撞了个满怀。

Lotus lovers walk amongst willow weeping willows and flowers in bloom, fragrant perfumes wafting from every direction - every part of your memory. A stroll down the plank road in its midst gives view to the true magnificence of the lotus blossoms’ near-mythical allure, pink-hued, soft petals gracefully rising among seas of green leaves. Children run and laugh with reckless abandon amongst the perfect scene, the swaying lotus of summer the palette for the painting of their youth and lives to come.

人行柳色花光里，身在荷香水影中。漫步在荷塘人家内的栈道上，可以看到成片的荷花如画般映入眼帘，在连绵起伏的荷叶映衬下，一朵朵粉莲亭亭玉立，宛在水中央，尽显雅致。孩子们在荷田间肆意地跑着、笑着，摇曳生姿的夏荷成了他们成长的“调色盘”。

As the saying goes, “The most extreme of circumstances brings the closest of friends”... as the extreme blazing brilliance of summer begins to truly descend, so too do the pinnacles of vitality and beauty in nature. Through the welcoming petals of the blooming lotus, you can see the entirety of summer - and so much more - in a moment.

“至者，极也。”真正的夏天终于到来，最是酷热，亦最是灿烂，所有的生机与美好在这一刻积蓄到了极致，而待观完荷，也就看尽了一整个夏天！

Gather your friends and family and head out! 

It’s an opportunity you don’t want to miss!

携上家人好友，

赴这一场荷花之约吧。

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图片：高洁 吕鹏

编辑：柯桥传媒集团

翻译：绍兴文理学院外国语学院

审核：柯桥区外事办

终审：柯桥区委宣传部