Attractions
Lake Xuanwuhu
Lake Xuanwuhu is the largest royal garden lake in China and one of the three most famous lakes in Nanjing. It is also the biggest city park in Nanjing and known as 'the pearl of Jinling'.
Covering an area of 444 hectares with a coastline of 15 kilometers in circumferences, Xuanwu Lake is the largest royal garden in China. The lake is situated at the foot of Mount Zhongshan in Nanjing and surrounded by the lofty city wall of Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the elegant Mount Jiuhua and the antique Jiming Temple. It worked as a royal garden, an archive storeroom and a royal forbidden in Six Dynasties period (220 AD – 589 AD), Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasties (1644-1912) respectively. Assuming a diamond shape, Xuanwu is dotted with five green isles, including the Huan Isle, Ying Isle, Liang Isle, Cui Isle and Ling Isle. They are connected by bridges and dykes, each of them owing a charming and unique flavor. The city, the lake, the woods and the hills are merged into one, which reveals the beauty of the Xuanwu Lake.
History
Originally, Xuanwu Lake was a marsh wetland formulated by the action of the faulting. It is said that Suan Quan, the king of the Eastern Wu Kingdom settled down in the region, he brought water in and made this lake. In the long history of China, the lake has been used by many dynasties as an ideal place spot to train their waterborne troops. Many military demonstrations had been held here and a lot of battles were fought here. Therefore, the lake was also called “Military Rehearsal Lake” or “Kunming Lake”.
What to Appreciate
Huan Isle
Huan Isle got the name because of its crooked shape and it surrounds the Ying Isle like a jade belt. It is famous for its camphor trees and French parasol trees in the mists of spring. There are many historical sites on the isle. Amid a rockery with falls stand two pieces of stone similar in appearance to a boy worshiping the Goddess of Mercy, and Guo Pu (a famous writer) Pavilion are the most famous. The lotus square, with a large-scale and well-assorted water scene, is also located here. When you are on the Huan Isle, you can see that the leaves of willows wave gently with the wind and feel the mild wind from the lake that blows tenderly on your face.
Ying Isle
Located in the middle of Huan Isle, Ying Isle was known as the sea of flowers. A zigzag veranda with a length of 500 meters, a lamasery and a tower named ‘Tana’ are located on the isle. Lots of cherry trees used to be planted all over the isle and the cherries were served as tribute to the emperor. When the cherry trees blossom every year, people can enjoy the stunning sea of flowers.
Liang Isle
Liang Isle is the one that was developed earlier than the other four. It was original as a reading place of the prince in Liang Dynasty (502-557). It is famous for its autumn chrysanthemum and an annual chrysanthemum show is held on the isle.
Cui Isle
Cui Isle is noted for its trees and tranquility. Pines, green cypresses, tender willows and light-green bamboos all help to make it a unique and satisfying place for recreation.
Ling Isle
Lying in the middle of the Xuanwu Lake, Ling Isle got the name because of its abundant production of water chestnuts in the past. More than ten kinds of rare animals are lived in the isle, such as panda and giraffe. To the east of Ling Isle, you can see the beautiful clouds drifting across Zhong Mountain.
Shopping and Eating
You can get flowery lotus, cherry, Yuhuashi (colorful Pebbles), Jinling fans, silk, and brocade here. Besides, Nanjing salted duck, beef soup, green onion pancakes and dumplings soup, etc.
