Xuanwu Lake in Nanjing |
The Xuanwu Lake is in the northeast portion of Nanjing city City near the railway station. The lake covers an area of 444 ha with a coastline of 15 kilometers in circumferences. According to the legend, in the Southern Dynasty a black dragon was seen in the lake. Chinese Daoists believed that the black dragon was a water god appeared appearing as the uniform of a turtle and snake, called Xuanwu. Hence the lake was called Xuwu Lake.
In spite of the park's unspectacular state in the present, like most Nanjing sites, it has a long history. A training ground for naval forces during the Southern Dynasties, the lake was originally named Sangpo Hu (Mulberry Lake). While reviewing his forces on the lake, one emperor swore that he saw a black dragon appear on the lake. Thereafter, the lake was renamed Xuanwu Hu ("xuan" means "black", "wu" means "military", and "hu" means "lake"). After being converted to rice fields during the 11th century, the lake was restored and opened as a park soon after the 1911 revolution.
There are five isles in the lake.: Huan Isle, Ying Isle, Liang Isle, Cui Isle and Ling Isle. 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. The Ying Isle is famous for its cherry blossoms. When the cherry blossoms bloom in the early spring, the isle seems to be an ocean of flowers. Liang Isle is the one that was developed earlier than the other four. Annually, the grand traditional exhibition of chrysanthemums is held there. On the Cui Isle, there are dark green pines, emerald green cypresses, tender willows, and light green bamboos. To the east of Ling Isle, you can see the beautiful clouds drifting across Zhong Mountain.
Each island has wonderful scenery: Nuona Tower on Huan Isle is full of special serene ambience. Wumiao Zha on Ling Isle has long history and of a reasonable design. Other places like the Lotus Garden on Ying Isle and the Hushen Miao on Liang Isle are also worth visiting.
The Xuanwu Lake Park is one of the biggest tourist zones in Nanjing City today. It not only has charming mountains and lakes but also abounds with rich legends. Therefore the saying goes, "If you tour Nanjing City without going to the Xuanwu Lake, it is as regretful as you tour Beijing City without going to the Summer Palace or tour Hangzhou without going to the West Lake".
Editted By Athena Lee |
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