The lake, which covered 13 acres, was dug out completely by human labor, one stroke at a time. Besides the five pavilions, the lake was surrounded by carved stones and Canadian pines, whose dense needles, twisted roots and gnarled branches were reflected in the tranquil surface of the lake.
當年的五亭湖，佔地十三畝，完全是人工一斧一鋤鑿出來的，湖中不僅有湖心亭、見山亭、分寒亭等五座亭子，還有許多刻石，湖畔並廣植加拿大水松，松針細密、盤根錯節，與湖色相映，景緻絕美。