Qiandao Lake

Tour Route Design Introduction of Qiandao Lake

1. Core Positioning

"A kingdom of 1,078 islands with an underwater ancient city — A wonder forged by artificial lakes, where visitors admire the natural inscription 'For the Public' above water and discover sunken millennium towns beneath the waves."

Located in Chun’an County, Hangzhou, officially named Xin’an River Reservoir, Qiandao Lake was formed in 1959 by damming the Xin’an River to build a hydropower station. It takes its name from the 1,078 scattered islands across the water. Covering an area nearly 90 times that of West Lake, it is China’s lake with the largest number of islands.

For overseas visitors, its most breathtaking feature is that it is not a naturally formed lake, but a miracle created by the combination of human engineering and natural landscapes: mountain ridges submerged by floodwaters emerge as countless scattered islands. The lake water boasts visibility of 9 to 12 meters, reaching Grade I national water quality, hailed as "The Most Beautiful Water Under Heaven".

2. Core Lake Areas — Green Islands and Blue Waters

Qiandao Lake is mainly divided into the Central Lake Area and Southeast Lake Area, all accessible by boat with a 4–5 hour tour duration.

Meifeng Island — "Without climbing Meifeng to overlook the archipelago, you can never truly know the beauty of Qiandao Lake"

Meifeng Island is the best highland viewpoint and symbolic landmark of Qiandao Lake. Standing on the observation deck, visitors overlook over 300 islands scattered like jade snails across blue waves, with crisscrossing lake bays and layered green hills. This iconic view is named "Overlooking the Archipelago from Meifeng", and every frame captured here is wallpaper-worthy scenery.

Huangshan Tip — Natural Chinese characters "For the Public"

Situated in the Southeast Lake Area and known as "East China’s No.1 Peak", it is famous for clear water, exotic islands and serene landscapes. From the summit, more than 90 islands naturally arrange to form the four Chinese characters "Tian Xia Wei Gong (For the Public)", a spectacular natural wonder. It is Qiandao Lake’s most recognizable scenic calling card and a must-visit check-in spot for most tourists.

Longshan Island — Hai Rui Shrine and Cultural Heritage

Longshan Island is the largest island in the Central Lake Area, shaped like a green dragon crouching on the water, regarded as the cultural heart of ancient Chun’an. The island hosts the Hai Rui Shrine, built to commemorate Hai Rui, the upright magistrate who once governed Chun’an, alongside Half-Mu Square Pond, Longshan Archway and Xin’an Painting Academy. A local folk rhyme goes: "Iron Bridge, Small Golden Hill, Stone Gorge Academy, and Living Dragon Mountain", referring to this scenic spot.

Sweet Osmanthus Island — Colorful macaques and monkey-themed popular science

Sweet Osmanthus Island has been upgraded with a "Five-Colored Macaque" theme, offering macaque viewing, limited-area feeding, monkey art performances and monkey culture courses. The on-site Monkey Fun Science Museum and Pine Square display comprehensive knowledge about primate habits, ideal for family trips blending sightseeing and popular science education.

Heavenly Pool Island — Southern Song quarry relics and bird paradise

Heavenly Pool Island preserves quarry sites left by the Southern Song Dynasty for constructing palaces in Lin’an. The island has restaurants serving authentic Qiandao organic fish head soup, plus a bird-watching paradise themed on avian ecology.

Moonlight Island — Love-themed scenery and night views

Moonlight Island centers on romance, perfect for couples to stroll. The illuminated landscape after dark makes it a core night tour destination of the Central Lake Area.

3. Underwater Ancient Cities — China’s Version of Atlantis

Qiandao Lake’s greatest mystery lies two to thirty meters below the water surface: two millennium-old ancient towns, Shicheng and Hecheng, lie submerged.

Shicheng: The sunken thousand-year county seat

Shicheng, the former Sui’an County seat, was founded in the Eastern Han Dynasty and relocated to its current site in 621 AD. Equipped with five city gates, it was the only county walled city among the six ancient Yanzhou counties. Its streets crisscrossed with countless shops, including pawnshops, salt stores, general merchandise shops and foreign goods stores, once home to five thousand permanent residents. A 3,000-jin ancient bell hung behind the North Gate, its toll carrying ten li; it served as an air raid alarm during the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression.

Submergence and Well-Preserved Ruins

When the Xin’an River was dammed for water storage in 1959, Shicheng, together with 27 surrounding towns, more than 1,000 villages and 300,000 mu of fertile farmland, sank beneath the lake, with 290,000 residents relocated. Since Shicheng sits far from the dam, residents evacuated hastily, leaving the ancient town largely intact.

Underwater exploration in 2001 revealed lime mortar in the city wall cracks remained intact, arched West City Gate could still open and close, wooden beams and brick walls of residential houses still stood upright, and carved beams and painted rafters remained distinct. GPS positioning confirmed the layout of 23 archways and complete street grids within the town.

Wenyuan Lion City — Reconstructed ancient town on the shore

Completed in 2016 in Jiangjia Town by Qiandao Lake, Wenyuan Lion City replicates the East Street, North Street and seven archways based on the underwater ancient city, recreating the old urban style. It is China’s first immersive intangible cultural heritage experience base, where visitors can use panoramic VR to "dive" into the underwater ancient city, watch Republican-era folk operas, and experience Chun’an’s traditional folk customs.

4. Lakeside Cycling Greenway

Bicycle rental stations are scattered along the lakeside highway, offering tandem and three-person bikes for couples and families. Riding along the lakeside, visitors let the wind brush their faces while taking in unbroken views of blue water and green islands stretching behind them.

5. Tianyu Mountain — Effortless sunset viewing spot

Standing 335 meters above sea level, Tianyu Mountain features multiple observation decks perfect for sunsets and glow. A 350-meter automatic escalator lifts visitors 120 meters upward, earning it the nickname "Lazy Man’s Mountain".

6. Cultural Underpinnings — Migrant Nostalgia and Xin’an Civilization

Qiandao Lake’s history is deeply rooted in migration memory: the 290,000 migrants displaced in 1959 scattered nationwide, and Shicheng remains a shared symbol of their hometown nostalgia. Today, the former reservoir project has evolved into a national 5A-level scenic spot, a key node on the international golden tourism route of "Hangzhou — Qiandao Lake — Huangshan". The lake also offers authentic local delicacies such as Qiandao organic fish head soup, making it an ideal destination combining natural sightseeing and leisure vacation.

Brief summary: Qiandao Lake is far more than a man-made reservoir — it is a scenic wonder where visitors overlook thousands of green islands above crystal-clear water by day, explore the mystery of sunken ancient towns via VR, cycle along the lakeside at dusk, and taste iconic local cuisine. It perfectly blends natural grandeur, historical mystery and slow vacation leisure, creating an unforgettable experience for international tourists.