Located in northwest Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, this 5A-rated national scenic area spans 2.5 square kilometers with 115 acres of water surface. Famous for its "willow-lined causeways and waterside pavilions leading to distant hills" layout, it preserves 23 Ming-Qing architectural complexes and 12 classical gardens. The lake narrows to 30m at its slimmest point and widens to 200m, with a 4.3km winding waterway connecting 18 major sites including Five-Pavilion Bridge and Fishing Platform - all must-visit spots during Emperor Qianlong's six southern tours.
History & Culture
Dating back to Sui-Tang dynasties as a moat-natural waterway blend, the lake reached its zenith when Qing-era salt merchants built gardens along its banks. Five-Pavilion Bridge (1757 AD) creates "15 moons in 15 arches" during Mid-Autumn nights, while Twenty-Four Bridge became a cultural icon through Du Mu's poem. The area houses 47 authentic stone carvings by Yangzhou Eccentrics artists, and legend says the White Pagoda was salt-merchants' overnight replica of Beijing's Beihai Pagoda using piled salt.
Key Attractions
- Five-Pavilion Bridge - China's only surviving bridge-pavilion hybrid, its 55m span with yellow-glazed roofs casts 15 moon reflections during autumn festivals.
- Twenty-Four Bridge - This 24m-long jade belt bridge features 24 railings and steps, with spring night performances of Tang-era "Rainbow Skirt Music".
- Little Golden Hill - Artificial island offering panoramic views from its summit pavilion, guarded by a 300-year-old ginkgo tree.
- Fishing Platform - Waterside pavilion uniquely designed to simultaneously reflect both Five-Pavilion Bridge and White Pagoda at optimal angles.
Local Delicacies
- Crab Roe Soup Dumplings - Yangzhou's "Three Wonders" with translucent wrappers, consumed by "lifting gently, sipping slowly"
- Wensi Tofu - Hair-thin tofu shreds with scallops and ham, created by Tianning Temple monk Wensi
- Lion's Head Meatballs - Hand-chopped pork with crab roe, melting in the mouth
- Thousand-Layer Oil Cake - 64-layer sweet pastry invented at 19th-century Fuchun Teahouse
Travel Guide
- Tickets: Peak season (Mar-May/Sep-Nov) ¥150, Off-season ¥120, Night tour ¥80 (6:30-9:00 PM)
- Route: South Gate → Spring Willow Causeway → Xuyuan Garden → Little Golden Hill → Fishing Platform → Five-Pavilion Bridge → Twenty-Four Bridge → North Gate
- Transport: Tourist Bus 1 from Yangzhou Station or ¥10 taxi ride from downtown
Pro Tips
- Enter before 7 AM for free access and crowd-free photography
- March (Chinese Snowball Festival) and October (Chrysanthemum Show) offer peak beauty but double crowds
- Choose rowing boats (¥60) with singing boatwomen over motorized vessels
- Best Fishing Platform photos at 9-10 AM when light captures dual reflections
- Wear anti-slip shoes for flagstone paths; rainy days create dreamy "Misty West Lake" views