Nestled on the edge of Stow Lake’s island, Strawberry Hill, is a Chinese pagoda with bright red pillars and a green tiled roof. The small building is visible from the other side of the lake and makes for a picturesque landmark for photos, but a closer look reveals so many details. The underside of the roof features an intricate and colorful painted design, the pillars are carved with Chinese characters, and the fence posts surrounding the pagoda are topped with beautiful carvings.
Beneath the roof of the open-air structure, there’s a small stone table surrounded by stools – a perfect spot for a serene picnic or a break from a long walk in the park. Whenever I have visited the Pavilion, I’ve found that most people use the pagoda as a backdrop for photos, or they stop by to learn its history. Some stand along the quaint bridge over the pond to feed the fish, ducks, and squirrels, who have grown a little too comfortable with humans.
Though typically, the Chinese Pavilion is just one of many scenic landmarks for those exploring Stow Lake and Strawberry Hill, they do allow small weddings ceremonies to take place there.
The signs outside the pagoda explain the history and significance of the structure with letters between then-Mayor of San Francisco, Diane Feinstein, and the Mayor of Taipei, Teng Hui-Lee. The letters, written in both Chinese and English, explain that the Golden Gate Pavilion was a gift of friendship to commemorate the relationship between the sister cities of San Francisco and Taipei, and serves as a form of cultural exchange. The gift was dedicated in 1981, and in some ways, it commemorates the contributions of the Chinese immigrants in San Francisco, who overcame many difficulties to play an important role in building the city.
Another plaque on the pavilion features a sort of poem, with one line of Chinese characters followed by a line of a poorly translated, but still beautiful message, signed by the Speaker of Taipei City Council ROC and Mayor of Taipei ROC:
Two sister cities were made, side by side and hand in hand, is peoples’ well-being thus made
Residing in this wide world, cooperating closely from our hearts, the universal brotherhood is thus made.
A scenic spot in U.S.A. for ascending remained, easterly coming culture a real friend can not be wanting in this wide world
A great ocean on R.O.C. for crossing lain, westerly looking from golden gate, the world although so wide becomes as near in the neighborhood