Xiuhu Scenic Area

Xiuhu Scenic Area

Xiuhu is the largest scenic area in the Qipan Mountain International Scenic Tourism Development Zone. The shimmering body of water, embraced by hills on all sides, meanders to form the Chinese character “秀” (meaning elegant), hence the name “Xiuhu” (Elegant Lake). Covering an area of 50,000 square kilometers, Xiuhu offers mountain views from the water’s edge and water vistas from the mountaintops. With mountains standing along the water and the water winding around the mountains, the interplay of mountain hues and shimmering waters creates a breathtakingly beautiful scene.

It lacks the vastness of the Hun River, nor does it have the swiftness of the Pu River. The beauty of Xiuhu lies in its tranquility and depth—qualities that stem from the heart of the beholder, inspired by the soul-stirring journeys across mountains and rivers.

Drifting on the water, many worries dissolve with the waves. Close your eyes as if gazing, and the endless green empties the mind, slowly immersing you in the euphoric relaxation brought by nature’s power. The boat glides gently forward; the breeze is like rouge brushing against your cheeks, softening their faint pink hue—the rosy, delicate smile is surely the most graceful mark of beauty. As you round the mountain bay, you’ll find yourself lingering over the past greens, smiling through wistfulness. When you glance back, the fleeting gaze and flowing skirt at that moment are utterly enchanting.

Hiking here, the water takes on a sapphire blue, making its depth even more palpable. At dusk, when the setting sun casts a slanting glow, the mountains are gilded with golden edges. At the boundary of blue and gold, you can’t help but feel a spiritual awe. If you visit in May, a thousand emotions will stir your heart. The temperature on the lake is even lower than on shore. At around fifteen or sixteen degrees, dressed in summer clothes, while the rain moistens your skin, your heart feels a chill to the bone, numbing even your fingertips. A fine drizzle falls softly, clouds drift swiftly across the lake surface, and mist spreads far and wide. Gazing into the distance, the hazy, watery landscape captivates the eye. Where the mountains emerge, the water vapor rises like thin columns of smoke, coiling upwards to merge with the swirling mists that shroud the mountainsides, enveloping the peaks before blending into the hazy sky mist. Each wisp of fog forms a wonderland, making you feel as if you’ve entered a celestial realm. Appearing and disappearing, misty and vague, the distant mountains and nearby waters shift in countless elusive forms—that is the magnificent sight known as the “Xiuhu Misty Rain.” The still green mountains, veiled in moving mist, resemble a green bride hidden and revealed within a white veil, charming in every pose. Faced with such beauty, who could remain untouched by its intoxicating allure?