The Meixi Lake International Culture and Arts Center in Changsha was designed and constructed by Zaha Hadid Architects, marking Zaha Hadid’s final architectural masterpiece in China.

Zaha Hadid, a British architect, became the first female recipient of the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2004. Her designs have long been celebrated for their bold, avant‑garde forms, earning her the title of “master of deconstructivist architecture.” This reputation stems largely from her distinctive creative approach: while her works may appear simple at first glance, they boldly explore spatial dynamics and geometric structures, capturing the intricate complexity inherent in urban architecture. Straight lines are rarely found in her designs…

The design concept behind the Meixi Lake International Culture and Arts Center in Changsha draws inspiration from the lotus flower—known as “fu rong” in Chinese—which flourished throughout the Xiang, Zi, Yuan, and Li river valleys during the Tang and Song dynasties, giving rise to the region’s enduring moniker: “the Land of Lotus.” Hunan is rightfully regarded as the “Land of Lotus.” In the autumn of 1961, in response to gifts and poems presented by Zhou Shizhao, Li Da, and Le Tianyu, Chairman Mao penned the seven‑character regulated verse “Reply to a Friend,” which beautifully celebrates the landscapes and cultural heritage of Hunan. Among its lines is the poignant verse: “I long to dream of boundless skies; in the land of lotus, morning light bathes all.” Through these verses, Chairman Mao not only marveled at the profound and radiant history of Huxiang culture but also expressed his deep longing for the many beloved friends, relatives, and old acquaintances who had passed away. In the Chairman’s dreams, Hunan—the ancient province where lotus flowers bloom across the land like rosy morning clouds—became the very symbol of this storied region. On December 26 of the same year, Chairman Mao turned 68. That day, he wrote another letter to Zhou Shizhao, Vice Governor of Hunan Province, a classmate, and a fellow poet, quoting classical poetry: “Autumn winds sweep across ten thousand miles through the land of lotus; evening rains and morning mists drift over the wisteria‑covered villages.” “Southwestern clouds gather over Mount Heng, while day and night the river’s roar echoes down toward Dongting Lake.” The first two lines quoted by Chairman Mao are from Tan Yongzhi’s “Autumn Night Lodging by the Xiang River Amidst Rain,” composed during the Five Dynasties period.

Furthermore, in the mid‑1980s, a bronze mirror adorned with lotus blossoms was unearthed in Jinshi, Changde, Hunan. The mirror features an eight‑petal, sunflower‑like design, with a raised knob at its center, surrounded by petal‑shaped button bases. Outside the button bases, four intertwined lotus vines are delicately carved, their petals fully unfurled and branches lush with leaves, each stem gracefully curved and elegantly rendered. Based on the mirror’s overall form and decorative motifs, it is clearly a piece dating back to the Northern Song Dynasty. This discovery underscores that Hunan’s status as the “Land of Lotus” has roots stretching far into the depths of history.