When visiting Hangzhou's West Lake, people often recall the line 'I would compare West Lake to Xi Shi.'
Tips
history
From Su Shi's (苏轼, Northern Song) 《饮湖上初晴后雨》: 水光潋滟晴方好，山色空蒙雨亦奇。欲把西湖比西子，淡妆浓抹总相宜。(Shimmering waters look fine in sun; misty mountains charm in rain. I'd compare West Lake to Lady Xi Shi — in light or heavy makeup, always beautiful.) 西子 = 西施, legendary beauty of ancient Yue — the comparison stuck, and West Lake is still nicknamed 西子湖.
usage
西子 here is a respectful diminutive for 西施 (Xī Shī), not 'the West' or 'Mr/Mrs West.' The tone is light and admiring — a go-to line for praising anything with versatile beauty.
