West Lake Guest House in Hangzhou, China

This photograph was taken during President Richard M. Nixon's historic visit to the People's Republic of China, which occurred on February 17-28, 1972. Nixon was the first American president to take part in a State Visit to China. He intended the visit to help pave the way for normalized relations between the United States and the communist country. This photograph shows the West Lake Guest House in Hangzhou, where President Nixon spent the night on February 26th, after touring the lake and visiting the Island of Three Towers Reflecting the Moon. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as executive chef at the White House from 1966-1987.