Su Shi (1037-1101), also known as Su Dongpo was born in Meishan, Sichuan province, and was one of the most distinguished poets in Chinese history. His works are great contribution to the Chinese literature in terms of the simple yet evocative style, innovation and imagination. He served as an official of Hangzhou twice in his life. He had the West Lake dredged and a long causeway across the lake built, which was later named after him. His poetic and prosaic writings the charm and beauty of the West Lake best display his profound passion for Hangzhou and great pleasures he felt while appreciating the lake. In the eyes and hearts of later generations of Hangzhou local people, he was a pragmatic achiever as well as a bosom friend of the West Lake and the hero of Hangzhou.
Located at the south end of Su causeway by the West Lake, the memorial hall was constructed in recent years to monumentalize Su Dongpo. The hall has abundance collections of poems, calligraphy and painting, statuary and inscriptions on tablets. All displays introduce the distribution to the West Lake and life stories of Su Shi, the worthiest local magistrate in Hangzhou throughout history. It also makes a nice garden to stroll and relax.
