## Braving the Storm to Explore the Depths of West Lake! I Found Hangzhou's Most Hidden Republic-era Villa

🌧️ Braving the Storm to Explore the Depths of West Lake! I Found Hangzhou's Most Hidden Republic-era Villa! Rain pounded on my umbrella as the lush greenery of Yanggongdi blurred into a misty ink wash under the downpour. My navigation led me to a moss-covered path's end—Jingyi Villa. Though the GPS announced my arrival, not a single rooftop was in sight! **Only after passing through three gates did I understand what it means to be "hidden" within West Lake's mountains!** 1️⃣ **First Gate:** An inconspicuous stone step entrance by Yanggongdi Road, like a crack casually concealed by the forest. 2️⃣ **Second Gate:** Climbing slippery stone steps, a silent wrought-iron gate adorned with carvings suddenly blocked the way, towering ancient trees beyond it stretching into endless depth. 3️⃣ **Third Gate:** Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the iron gate and followed a winding forest path upward. At last, through the dense greenery, I stumbled upon a creamy-yellow giant—**Jingyi Villa itself!** In the rain, it stood in near-isolated beauty. **The villa's cream-colored walls, soaked by the rain, exuded a muted glow of time.** Beneath the classic Republic-era porch, rough Roman columns stood in silent grandeur. Looking up, **the intricate scrollwork of the cast-iron balcony railings gleamed coldly in the rain**, breathtaking in its delicacy. Stepping inside the main building, the air grew hushed. **The lofty hall echoed faintly with every footstep.** Ascending the **teak spiral staircase**, the smooth patina of the handrail seemed to retain the warmth of its former owners. **Every arched window framed the surging greenery and a distant glimpse of West Lake like a meticulously curated painting—perhaps the most extravagant "viewfinder" imaginable!** **The villa's owner, Zhang Jingjiang, was a titan of the Republic-era business world whose influence shook the Jiangnan region!** This secluded villa was his West Lake retreat, a "Peach Blossom Spring." It's said even Sun Yat-sen once lingered here, exchanging handwritten letters. Imagine those historic nights, figures leaning on the balcony, discussing ambitions to reshape the nation. Now, with its glory faded, only the mountain winds and rain **tap against the silent stained-glass windows year after year.** The carved fireplace stood cold, the empty rooms echoing with my breath and the rustling rain outside. Tracing the mottled walls, **I felt the lingering warmth of history—and the chill of time's indifference.** **The storm washed away the noise, making this Republic-era dream hidden deep in the mountains all the clearer.** Touching the icy wrought-iron railings, hearing only my footsteps in the hollow hall—for a moment, it felt as if I’d truly grasped **the secret West Lake's mountains have guarded for nearly a century.** **From the balcony, the path back vanished into the rain-misted lake.** The villa's sighs were finally swallowed by the mountains' wordless greenery. (Hangzhou Xishang·Hupao 1934 Hotel)