The East Lake Ecological Tourism Scenic Area is located in the east of Wuchang District, Wuhan City, Hubei Province. It is a national 5A - level tourist scenic area. The total area of the scenic area is about 88 square kilometers, of which the water area is 33 square kilometers. It is the largest urban lake in China. The East Lake consists of six areas: Tingtao, Moshan, Luoyan, Chuidi, Baima and Luohong. The lake - shore line is 111.5 kilometers long and is known as "ninety - nine bays". There are 34 surrounding mountains, more than 120 scattered islands in the scenic area, and the forest coverage rate reaches 85%. It is known as the "green heart of the city".
History and Culture
The history of the East Lake can be traced back to the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, and the Chu culture has left a deep mark here. Qu Yuan once chanted by the lake here, leaving the earliest written record of "the East Lake".
During the Tang and Song dynasties, the East Lake had become a popular tourist destination for scholars and refined scholars. Great poets such as Li Bai and Du Fu once left poems here. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, many private gardens were built around the East Lake, such as the Tingtao Pavilion and the Xingyin Pavilion.
After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the East Lake became an important place for state - affairs activities. Chairman Mao Zedong stayed at the East Lake Guesthouse 44 times, met with foreign guests and handled state affairs here, and it is called the "Zhongnanhai of Hubei".
Main Scenic Spots
Tingtao Scenic Area
It is the earliest - developed scenic area of the East Lake, with an area of 13.3 square kilometers. The main scenic spots include the Xingyin Pavilion, the Qu Yuan Memorial Hall, and the Bitan Fish - viewing Area. The lake - shore line is winding, with pine and cypress forests, and the scenery varies in each season. Especially, the "East Lake Cedar" is the most famous.
Moshan Scenic Area
It has an area of about 6 square kilometers, and the main peak, Moshan, has an altitude of 116 meters. There are scenic spots such as the Chu Culture Tourist Area, the Zhu Bei Pavilion, and the Chu Tiantai in the scenic area. The cherry - blossom festival in spring and the chrysanthemum exhibition in autumn every year are important cultural activities in Wuhan.
Luoyan Scenic Area
It has an area of 10.2 square kilometers, and the wetland ecology is well - preserved. It is named because wild geese stop here when they fly south in autumn and return north in spring. It is a paradise for bird - watching enthusiasts. There are scenic spots such as the Qinghe Ancient Bridge and the Magpie - Bridge Meeting in the scenic area.
East Lake Greenway
It has a total length of 101.98 kilometers, connecting various scenic spots. It is a world - class lakeside greenway. It is divided into four sections: the Middle - Lake Road, the Lake - Mountain Road, the Moshan Road, and the Countryside Road. It has won the "Demonstration Project for Improving Urban Public Space in China" awarded by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme.
Delicacies
Wuchang Fish
It is a specialty of the East Lake. The poem line by Mao Zedong, "Just had a drink of water from Changsha, and then tasted the Wuchang Fish", has made it famous throughout the country. The steamed Wuchang Fish can best reflect its tender and fresh characteristics, with few fish bones and delicate meat.
East Lake Lotus - Root Soup
It is made by stewing lotus roots from the East Lake with spare ribs. The soup is milky - white, with a strong lotus - root flavor. It is the favorite nutritious soup for Wuhan people in winter.
Surrounding Delicacies
There are many characteristic restaurants around the scenic area, where you can taste Wuhan snacks such as hot - dry noodles, tofu - skin rolls, and soup - filled dumplings. The "Chairman's Banquet" in the East Lake Guesthouse is also quite characteristic.
Admission Fees
Most areas of the East Lake Scenic Area are free of charge. The admission fee for the Moshan Scenic Area is 60 yuan, and that for the Luoyan Scenic Area is 40 yuan. The ticket price of the East Lake cruise ship varies from 50 to 100 yuan. Tickets need to be purchased separately for some special exhibitions and activities.
Opening Hours
It is open all day. The specific opening hours of each scenic area are as follows: the Tingtao Scenic Area is open from 8:00 to 17:30; the Moshan Scenic Area is open from 8:00 to 18:00; the Luoyan Scenic Area is open from 8:30 to 17:00. The operation hours of the cruise ship are from 9:00 to 16:30.
Tour Routes
Recommendation for a one - day tour: Visit the Tingtao Scenic Area in the morning and visit the Xingyin Pavilion and the Qu Yuan Memorial Hall; have lunch near the East Lake Guesthouse; ride along the East Lake Greenway to the Moshan Scenic Area in the afternoon and climb the Chu Tiantai to overlook the panorama of the East Lake; watch birds and enjoy the sunset in the Luoyan Scenic Area in the evening.
Transportation
- Subway: Take Line 4 to Yuejiazui Station or Line 8 to Liyuan Station.
- Bus: It can be reached by many bus lines, such as No. 402, 413, and 573.
- Self - driving: There are several parking lots around the scenic area, but the parking spaces are in short supply during holidays.
- Shared - bikes: There are several shared - bike parking points along the greenway.
Must - visit Scenic Spots
- East Lake Greenway: It is a world - class lakeside greenway and the best choice for cycling tours.
- Moshan Chucheng: It shows the essence of Chu culture. Climb the Chu Tiantai to overlook the panorama of the East Lake.
- Tingtao Scenic Area: It is the area with the most concentrated cultural landscapes of the East Lake, where you can feel the artistic conception of poetry and painting.
- Luoyan Island: It is an ecological wetland reserve and a paradise for bird - watching and photography.
Tour Tips
- Spring and autumn are the best times to visit. Enjoy the cherry blossoms from March to April and the chrysanthemums from October to November.
- It is recommended to rent a bicycle or an electric vehicle to tour the greenway, which can save time and effort.
- The light in the early morning and at dusk is the most suitable for photography, and the morning mist on the lake and the afterglow of the setting sun have a unique charm.
- The scenic area is large, so wear comfortable sports shoes and prepare for sun protection.
- Avoid the peak seasons of holidays for a better experience.
Precautions
- Protect the ecological environment and do not feed wild animals at will.
- The lake is deep and dangerous, and swimming is prohibited.
- Pay attention to safety when cycling, as some sections of the greenway have large slopes.
- Reservations are required in advance during peak seasons such as the cherry - blossom festival, as there are large crowds.
- Drone - flying is prohibited in some areas.
- Take good care of personal belongings, as it is easy to lose them in the large - area scenic area.