Luoma Lake

Luoma Lake

Luoma Lake is situated in the northern part of the central urban area. The Tonghu Avenue runs from north to south, winding like a long dragon along the lakeshore and stretching into the distance. Lush trees and fragrant flowers line both sides; towering flood-control walls stand firmly like steel barriers on the lakeshore, safeguarding the expanse of blue water. The lake surface shimmers with ripples, dotted with white sails, fishing boats chasing the waves, and seagulls circling overhead. Gazing across the shimmering waters, the verdant Ma'ling Mountains stretch like dark green ridges across the vast horizon, further highlighting the lake’s charm, beauty, and enchanting spirit. Nearby, the ancient Grand Canal flows gently, with boats coming and going and sails dotting the water—a distant, echoing whistle seemingly carried down through the ages, adding an air of timeless mystery to the great lake.

Luoma Lake lies to the east of the Ma'ling Mountains and is surrounded by the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal to the west and south, connecting to Xinyi City to the north. It spans 15–20 kilometers from east to west and 35 kilometers from north to south, covering a total area of 375 square kilometers. The lake bottom has an elevation of 19–21.5 meters above sea level, with a normal water storage level of 23–23.5 meters. During flood season, the water level can peak at around 25 meters. Luoma Lake is located at the southern edge of the warm temperate deciduous broad-leaved forest vegetation zone, adjacent to the subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest vegetation zone. The climate is mild, classified as a warm temperate monsoon climate, with an average annual temperature of 14.1°C and an average annual rainfall of 936 millimeters. The soil is yellow-brown earth developed from Yellow River alluvial deposits.

Luoma Lake is the fourth largest lake in Jiangsu Province and the second largest freshwater lake on the North Jiangsu Plain. The lake was formed during the Song Dynasty, when tectonic movements created the lake basin, compounded by several breaches of the Yellow River that diverted the Si and Huai Rivers into the sea. Vast amounts of silt flowed into the area, eventually forming this boundless, unified body of water. During dry seasons, higher grounds within the lake emerge, covered with vegetation and inhabited by wildlife, attracting fishermen and gradually drawing settlers who established communities for farming and dwelling.

During the Qing Dynasty’s Kangxi era, the Central Canal was excavated to “separate the Yellow and Huai Rivers,” altering the waterway and designating Luoma Lake as a reservoir to supply water for navigation. Located downstream of the Yi-Shu-Si river system, the area suffered from chaotic hydrology and ineffective governance by successive rulers, leading to severe siltation and poor drainage. Whenever torrential floods from the Yishan Mountains burst forth in summer and autumn, they poured directly into the lake, causing widespread inundation, boundless waterlogging, and frequent disasters. Historically, Luoma Lake was truly a “flood corridor.”

After the liberation, the Communist Party and the people’s government, determined to eliminate the lake’s flooding and transform water hazards into benefits, mobilized the masses to regulate the Yi and Shu rivers, reinforce the lake embankments, elevate the Taizhuang area, and construct control gates such as those at Zaohe, Yanghetan, Suqian, and Zhangshan. In 1958, following directives from central, provincial, regional, and county authorities, over 50,000 residents within the lake area made the sacrifice of leaving their homes for the greater good. The lake was then converted from a temporary reservoir into a permanent one, transforming a natural lake into an artificially regulated reservoir serving multiple purposes: flood storage, irrigation, navigation support, aquaculture, tourism, and leisure.

If the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal is likened to a colorful ribbon, then Luoma Lake is a radiant pearl strung upon it. Since the Ming and Qing dynasties, the north-south exchange of goods and the travel of officials and merchants largely relied on canal boats, making water transport extremely busy. Thus, the Grand Canal also significantly influenced the economy and culture of the Luoma Lake region, leaving behind a rich cultural heritage and numerous historical sites, greatly enhancing the lake’s charm. Emperors Kangxi and Qianlong passed through here during their multiple southern tours. As a result, the surrounding areas boast many scenic spots and legendary tales. The famous Qing Dynasty novel *The Cases of Judge Shi* even describes stories of capturing a bandit at Luoma Lake. Within the lake are sites such as Muliancheng (Wooden Chain City), Meihua Zhuang (Plum Blossom Piles), Zhangmu Dun (Tomb Mound of Zhang), Xiaoguandi (Small Official Land), the virgin land of Emperor Qianlong, the Dragon Spouting Water in North Stream, the Water-Drinking Pearl in South Stream, Jiulong Temple (Nine-Dragon Temple), and Shen Gongyuan where General Qin Qiong tied his horse. Though some have vanished without a trace or lie submerged, countless relics remain along the shores. These include the ruins of Qingliang Temple on the eastern lakeside, the cooking hearths from General Xue Rengui’s eastern campaign, Bawang Ban Dao Jing (Overturned Well of the Overlord), Eight Immortals Cave, Zhangshan Forest Park, and the two millennia-old towns of Zaohe and Yaowan on the western shore, which still retain their ancient charm. Notably, the Anlan Dragon King Temple in Zaohe, built entirely in the style of the imperial palaces of Beijing’s Qing Dynasty, features unified glazed tile roofs and remains resplendently intact. Emperor Qianlong stayed here five times during his six southern tours, hence it is also called the Qianlong Temporary Palace, now a national cultural heritage site. The shores of Luoma Lake were also the battlefield of the pivotal Subei Campaign during the Liberation War, personally commanded by Marshal Chen Yi, leaving behind historic relics and timeless poetic verses.

The long history and modern civilization have not only nurtured this land but also raised generations of legendary heroes. Historical figures born here include Xiang Yu, the Overlord of Western Chu who led the uprising against the Qin Dynasty at the end of the Qin period; Wei Sheng, the Song Dynasty hero who resisted the Jin invasion; Yang Sihong, the Qing Dynasty national hero who defended Taiwan against Japanese pirates; and General Zhu Rui, the founding father of the People’s Liberation Army Artillery Corps. They have brought boundless glory and pride to this ancient land.

After becoming a perennial reservoir, Luoma Lake serves as a key step in the Eastern Route of China’s South-to-North Water Diversion Project. Especially with the establishment of the Zaohe Pumping Station, which has an installed capacity of 1,400 kilowatts and a pumping flow rate of 195 cubic meters per second, the project not only ensures stable water levels in Luoma Lake and supplies water for industrial, agricultural, and domestic use in nearby cities and counties such as Suqian, Xuzhou, and Xinyi, but also plays a significant role in irrigation, flood control, and safeguarding lives and property in counties north of the Subei Irrigation Main Canal in Huai’an, as well as in maintaining navigability of the Grand Canal.

With its vast waters, extensive shallow shoals, flat terrain, and thick sediment layers, Luoma Lake provides ideal conditions for the growth of aquatic plants and fish, boasting extremely rich aquatic resources. Plants such as reeds, wild rice stems, water smartweed, arrowhead, lotus roots, water chestnuts, and gorgon fruits serve as natural food sources and excellent spawning and habitat grounds for herbivorous fish. Aquatic plants native to the lake, such as alisma, water plantain, rain lily, calamus, and duckweed, are also important medicinal herbs. The lake is home to a wide variety of fish species, including crucian carp, carp, bream, silver carp, mandarin fish, and blunt-snout bream. Particularly notable are its famous three specialties: whitebait, freshwater shrimp, and large crabs—all prized for their size, tender meat, and rich flavor—which are high-yield exports. Luoma Lake’s abundant resources, simple folkways, and vibrant traditions have earned it recognition as a “fengshui treasure land” by emperors throughout history. Thanks to convenient transportation and rapid cultural exchange, the region has also given rise to many local delicacies, such as crystal hawthorn cake, spiced turnip, daylily, yellow dog pork head meat, and Qianlong tribute crisp—all attracting visitors from far and wide, with some even renowned both domestically and abroad.

The historical and cultural sites of a place or region are invaluable legacies and spiritual wealth bestowed by history. They offer not only historical reflection but also practical inspiration and the drive to move forward. Luoma Lake is an ancient yet youthful lake filled with legendary charm. It opens its broad and welcoming arms to guests from all directions, embracing the winds of the new century.