Qidu Qixi Sunset Staircase

Nestled along the 23km scenic Taihu Lake shoreline in Qidu, Wujiang, the newly completed Qixi Staircase stands as a poetic public art installation dedicated to sunset viewing and romantic experience.

Standing approximately 4 meters tall, the minimalist structure extends gently toward the lake, embodying the grace of Jiangnan aesthetics. Its design centers on a 2m-high viewing frame—precision-engineered heights to frame perfect sunset vistas for individuals, couples, and families.

Crafted from brown tinted anti-glare glass (a natural filter) and brushed matte aluminum panels, the material palette harmonizes modern simplicity with lakefront serenity. By day, the glass softens sunlight into amber hues, enabling flawless backlit photography without HDR. By night, an integrated system of anti-glare LED strips and dynamic water-pattern lighting transforms the staircase into a luminous beacon, its rippling light reflecting across the water.

Conceptually, the installation merges Qixi (Chinese Valentine’s) romance with the timeless beauty of Taihu Lake. It acts as a living frame, capturing golden-hour skies and turning every visit into a moment of poetic connection with nature. The compact form maximizes experiential impact, blending natural light, water, and human emotion into a serene, immersive landmark.

More than a viewing platform, Qixi Staircase is a cultural landmark that celebrates love, landscape, and the quiet romance of lakeside sunsets—an iconic new destination on Taihu Lake’s shore.