Dongting Lake in Hunan

The enormous Dongting Lake (Dongtinghu) is the second largest fresh water lake in China, covering 3,900 square km. Among the few islands within the lake, Junshan Island is the most renowned, which is famous not only for its scenic beauty but its tea. Junshan Yinzhen (Junshan Silver Needle) used to be imperial tribute. Added into hot eat, the tea sticks up like needles instead of sinking to the bottom, emitting a fragrant odor. The island has dozens peaks and a large coverage of bamboos.

With an area of 2250 square kilometres and an average depth of 2 metres, Taihu Lake (or Lake Tai) is the third largest freshwater lake in China. Some 90 islets, large or small, plus the presence of many fleets of fishing junk boats add to its landscape, making it a remarkable spectacle. The lake has to its credit a thriving fishing industry as well as its ornamental limestone rocks that is native to no other place. These are much favored as accessories used in decorating traditional Chinese gardens in China. Out of all the other islets, Turtle Head Islet is the place most worth visiting.

Slender West Lake is situated in the northwest suburb of Yangzhou City. It originally was a nature river course named Baozhang River. With continuous harnessing through the dynasties, it gradually became a scenic area with many enchanting lake scenes. It is located to the west of the city and is slim in its shape, so people named it Slender West Lake.

Slender West Lake is 4.3 kilometers in total length with an area of over 30 hectares. The lake boasts many famous scenic spots, such as the White Pagoda, the Five Pavilion Bridge, and Xiaojin Hill.

The Long Dike is on the western bank of the lake, extending about one hundred meters from the entrance of the park to the Xiaojin Hill. Weeping willow trees are growing all along the dike. In the lake is an islet where Zheng Banqiao's calligraphy of couplets can be seen in a house.

Xiaojin Hill (Little Golden Hill), originally named Changchun Hill, is an islet in the lake. During the Qing Dynasty, in order to open a water channel connecting the Slender West Lake and the Daming Monastery , a canal was excavated in the northwest side of the lake. The mud excavated from the river course was piled up to form a small hill that we can still see today. The Wind Pavilion which is located at the top of the hill is the highest spot in this scenic area.The Five-Pavilion Bridge is situated in the northwestern corner of the lake. It gained its name from the five pavilions built on it. Elaborate in its structure and magnificent in its decorations, this bridge possesses the characters of architecture in both Northern China and Southern China. Besides, it is also a harmonious combination of the garden architecture and bridge architecture.

The White Pagoda, which is an imitation of Beihai White Pagoda in Beijing, lies south of the bridge.

Dating from the Tang Dynasty (618-907AD), this manmade lake has often been quoted by several poets of the period.

"Ripping water shimmering on sunny day,
Misty mountains shrouded the rain;
Plain or gaily decked out like Xizi;
West Lake is always alluring."

These are the words composed by the famous Song Dynasty poet Su Dongpo (960-1127) when he compared the West Lake to Zi Xi, the most beautiful woman in ancient China. These poetic sentiments leave one in no doubt of the glory of the scenery that inspired them.

Originally a shallow sea inlet, due to the laying down of silt this six square kilometres (1483 acres) of water became the famous West Lake. With an average depth of just five feet the lake comprises five distinct sections. The largest part is known as the Outer Lake and it is bounded by the North Inner Lake, Yuehu Lake, West Inner Lake and Lesser South Lake. Held in the embrace of hilly peaks on three sides, this water wonderland has been an attraction for centuries and it is small wonder that it was a favourite imperial retreat. The lake and its environs have all the elements of a traditional Chinese garden but on a grand scale. The natural setting of strangely shaped peaks, serene forests and springs, dense foliage and a myriad of blossoms especially in springtime are enhanced by a treasury of sculpture and architectural features. Whatever the season, the panorama is pleasing to the eye and the nuances of light shade together with the moods of the weather present an ever-changing picture that justifiably has been described as 'intoxicating'.

A number of specific features can be singled out as worthy of particular note. To the south of centre of the Outer Lake is a man made island known as the Island of Little Oceans, that encloses four small lakes. From here one can view the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon when at night candles are lit in stone lanterns jutting out of the water thus creating the impression of the reflections of three moons. The scene is truly magical on the night of the Autumn Moon Festival. Solitary Hill Island lies between the Outer Lake and the north Inner Lake and is an ideal spot from which to admire the vista. The nearby Two Peaks Embracing the Sky is another impressive sight, especially when crossing the lake by boat.

Near to the lake can be found the Ling Yin Temple in its woodland setting near to Fei Lai Feng (Peak Flown From Afar). Legend has it that this limestone peak flew from India where it had formed part of a holy mountain. These are of particular interest to Buddhists and those who have a love of sculpture and art. The Mausoleum of General Yue Fei is a monument to the patriot who was murdered in 1141 at the behest of his archrival Qin Hui, the Song prime minister. These buildings like others in the vicinity of the lake such as the slender Six Harmonies Pagoda add to the calm and beauty of their surroundings.

No visitor to the West Lake and Hangzhou can fail to learn something of this city's most famous products, namely silk and Longjing (Dragon

Well) Tea. Since the Tang Dynasty (618-907) silk products from Hangzhou have found their way all over the world. The National Silk Museum is the first Chinese national museum to be dedicated to silk culture and is the largest of its kind in the world. A similar museum is dedicated as homage to tea. Located at the West Lake Dragon Well Tea Plantation, the National Tea Museum provides a fascinating insight into the history and production of Chinese tea. Often referred to as the 'wonders of West Lake' Longjing (Dragon Well) tea and Hupao (Running Tiger) Fountain is each worthy of the attention of the visitor.

Another natural spectacle to be found here is the tidal bore of the Qiantang River that has enthralled people for centuries. Overlooking the river estuary stands the 13 storey high Six Harmonies Pagoda. Dating from 970 and built on the site of an earlier pagoda that served as a lighthouse, the name refers to the six codes of Buddhism i.e. harmony of the body, speech and thought and the renunciation of personal pleasure, opinions and wealth. A climb to the top of the pagoda carries the reward of an impressive view over the river.

Crossing the river is the Qiantang River Bridge . This is the first two-tier bridge to have been designed and built by Chinese engineers in modern times. The other great feat of much earlier engineering is the Grand Canal . Linking Hangzhou in the south with Beijing in the north, this is the longest man-made waterway in China and surpasses both the Suez and Panama canals.

We hope that this introduction to the delights of the area surrounding the West Lake will tempt you to visit them for yourself. You can be assured that the splendid and diverse landscape will remain long in your memory as you call to mind tour sites to be found south of the Yangtze River .

Lying 180 km from Xining and 3200 metres above sea level, Qinghai Lake is the largest salt water lake in China; not only that it is also the largest of all lakes, both salt water and fresh, in the whole country. In Qinghai Lake Bird Island is the most charming and attractive place. Situated on the western shore of Qinghai Lake, the island has largely due to the receding of waters off its shores, been turned into a peninsula. Though it covers an area of slightly less than 1000 square meters it attracts many migrating birds in spring and summer. To these hundreds of thousands of migrant birds, the island has become a very important bird sanctuary. Thousands of birds of different species such as geese, gulls, sandpipers and cormorants, nest on the island and the sound of its calls, twitters is carried far and away. For these birds as well as bird watching enthusiasts,the island represents nothing short of a piece of heaven. Another attraction on the lake is Haixinshan where according to legend great horses were bred.

Like a shining pearl inlaid in this golden tour line "Hangzhou-Qian Dao Hu (Thousand Islets Lake)- Huang Shan (Yellow Mountain)," Qian Dao Hu (Thousand Islets Lake), situated in Chun'an county 160 km (100 miles) west of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, is one of forty-four state-level scenic spots and presently China's biggest national park. Every year, millions of visitors both home and abroad will come here to appreciate the unique scenery. With further development in transportation, Qian Dao Hu is about to become one of the best tourist attractions in the world.

Qian Dao Hu (Thousand Islets Lake) is a young lake. She is an artificial lake formed as the result of being a reservoir for constructing Xin'an River Waterpower Plant in 1959.

Qian Dao Hu (Thousand Islets Lake) is a crystal pure lake. Covering an area of (143, 321 acres), it has a storage capacity of 17.8 billion cubic meters. The average depth of water is 34 meters (112 feet) and the visibility in the water can be reached to 7-9 meters (23-30 feet). According to the national water evaluation standard, the water, which can be drunk directly from the lake, is top ranking.

Qian Dao Hu (Thousand Islets Lake) is a beautiful lake. It has a total of 1,078 islets, each with its own formation. That is why the lake is named Qian Dao Hu (Thousand Islets Lake). Qian Dao Hu is not only grand like Taihu Lake in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, but also exquisite like West Lake in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. Qian Dao Hu is beautifully featured with verdant hills, elegant water, queer caves, and odd stones. In spring, flowers spring up everywhere, dressing the lake in many vibrant colors. In summer, visitors like boating on the pure green lake and are reluctant to leave. In autumn, visitors will be attracted by the hills in heavy red, for leaves here turn red in autumn. Even in winter, although blanketed with snow, Qian Dao Hu warmly welcomes visitors from all over the world. The snow scenery of Qian Dao Hu is so exquisite that poetry can hardly capture it. Truly, Qian Dao Hu is beautiful and inviting in all seasons.

Qian Dao Hu (Thousand Islets Lake) is a pleasant lake. In recent years, Qian Dao Hu has developed over twenty travel sites, which may be divided into four types: nature, wild life, historic sites, and entertainment. In the middle of the lake, an islet in the shape of a plant blossom is famed for its beautiful natural scenery and perfect environment and also regarded as the best place to view the surrounding landscape. Here, one can also see many wild animals such as swans, mandarin ducks, mandarins, and bitterns. Those who have rich interest in wild animals can continue to appreciate the animal show or go to feed ostriches in Ostrich Islet and take photos with them, even ride on an ostrich's back if they're brave enough. In addition, various traditional activities are offered there. Different seasons have different activities: Muju (local drama) in the spring, Dragon Lantern show in the fall, Tiao Zhu Ma (local dancing party) in the summer may be visitors' favorites.

Qian Dao Hu is a lake of historical interest. It was the home several great people. The most famous ones were Chen Shuozhen - the first Empress in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), Fang La - a famous peasant revolutionary in the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), and Sun Quan - the King of Wu during the Three Kingdoms Period (220-265 BC). Some of their offspring still live there. One may drop a visit in their houses and listen to the moving stories of their ancestors.

Qian Dao Hu (Thousand Islets Lake) is a lake possessing great wealth. Qian Dao Hu teems with tea, mulberry, timber, and bamboo. There are 1,786 species of plants and 87 species of freshwater fish in all. Qian Dao Hu is embraced all around by mountain ranges. Here, visitors can hear birds singing, smell the fragrance of flowers, and taste fresh fruit when it is in season. Besides, there are various kinds of local products, such as non-core persimmon, sweet date, hickory nut, and sun-dried fish.

Qian Dao Hu (Thousand Islets Lake) is like a dream, an enchanting dream. Matching with the ocean-blue sky, snow-white cloud, and golden bright sunlight, Qian Dao Hu with its pure water is so charming that we cannot exactly describe the special beauty by our language. We see many colors here; the most attractive is green. Each islet here is vibrant, each hill here is emerald, and each mountain here is verdant. Green here is uniquely pure, small wonder that Qian Dao Hu is famed as a green wonderland. Green is a symbol of life; seeing the unique green here, everyone will cherish his life.

Leave out of the crowded and noisy city and throw away all the mundane affairs; you'd better wander around Qian Dao Hu (Thousand Islets Lake). From time to time you will think that you were walking in Xanadu.