West Lake in Hangzhou in 1986 was characterized by trees lining the shoreline and a modest wooden bench facing the water. The lake's surface and the distant shoreline are rendered with a gentle atmospheric light, creating a muted, reflective scene.

West Lake has historically served as a cultural and social space, appreciated for its scenic beauty rather than for activities alone. The absence of human figures emphasizes a sense of stillness, allowing the landscape to convey concepts of time, pause, and continuity within a historic framework.