Comprised of the Red Carp Pool, Peony Garden and Flower Garden, Flower Harbor Park (Huagang Gongyuan) is the sight of a former private gardent built and owned by Lu Yunsheng, an imperial official of the South Song Dynasty.
Today, Huagang Gongyuan is open to the public, providing year-round natural beauty. Spring in the Peony Garden is glorious with pink, violet and custard-colored blossoms burst forth and the scents of fruit tree blossoms and azaleas perfume the air. Summer's stars include magnolias, myrtle and, of course, China's signature water blossom, the lotus. Fall and winter are not without their floral flourishes, with laurel, camellia and nandina brightening the scene.
Located just west of Su Causway on the southwestern shore of West Lake, the park makes for a pleasant hour or so at any time of year.