This painting is perhaps the most significant piece I created to commemorate my time in China. “Liuheta,” which translates to “Sixth Tower,” refers to the tower depicted in the background. Unlike many of Hangzhou’s monuments located downtown near West Lake, this tower is situated in the suburbs, right by the Qiantang River. I believe it was constructed to pray to the gods for protection against floods in the nearby fields.

Hangzhou lies at the beginning of a large delta where the river meets the sea. Occasionally, when the sea tide rises, a massive wave travels upstream against the current. These days, the government has built high levees to contain the tide, but in the past, this phenomenon posed a significant threat to farming activities.

I could only see the tower illuminated like this on weekends, and it truly presents a surreal scene that is worth experiencing. It remains vividly etched in my memories.