Yangzhou Lotus Garden

Yangzhou Lotus Garden

Yangzhou Lotus Garden

Located on the west side of the new district in Shuisi Township, Baoying County, the garden covers a total area of nearly 20,000 mu, with 15,000 mu used for lotus root cultivation. Shuisi Township lies within the eastern marshes of Baoying County, at the intersection of Yangzhou, Yancheng, and Huai'an, and has long been known as a "land of water and marshes." The area under lotus root cultivation reaches 85,000 mu, with a total output of 100,000 tons. It is home to a provincial-level lotus root virus-free seedling cultivation technology demonstration garden and a provincial-level pollution-free lotus root production base. In 1998, Baoying County, with Shuisi Township as its main lotus root production base, was named the "Hometown of Chinese Lotus Roots" by six national ministries including the Ministry of Agriculture. Shuisi lotus roots have a history of over 1,200 years, dating back to the Tang Dynasty, with written records of cultivation as early as the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, it is customary for locals to offer premium connected lotus roots to the moon and enjoy lotus root cakes. During the Yongzheng reign of the Qing Dynasty, Shuisi lotus root powder was selected as an imperial tribute, praised as "goose feather snowflakes."

There is a beautiful legend about Shuisi lotus roots: Long ago, the Five Lakes and Four Marshes of Baoying were nothing but vast stretches of water dotted with reeds and cattails. One day, the Jade Emperor and the Queen Mother of Heaven strolled to the Jade Pool in heaven. Parting the clouds, they gazed down upon the mortal world and spotted a vast expanse of azure water in the Andi East Marsh region, stretching as far as the eye could see, where water and sky merged into one—a breathtaking view of lake marsh scenery. The Jade Emperor, upon seeing this, exclaimed in praise, “Marvelous, marvelous, what a heavenly paradise on earth!” The Queen Mother nodded in agreement and added, “Though the scenery is wondrous, it lacks floral embellishment.” The Jade Emperor nodded in approval and ordered the Lotus Fairy to take a handful of lotus seeds from the Jade Pool and scatter them over the Shuisi marshes. From then on, the area became covered with lush lotus leaves, blooming flowers in shades of pink, white, and red, filling the air with fragrance, resembling a celestial paradise.

Traveling along the road to Shuisi Lotus Garden, visitors are greeted by vivid scenes: golden rice ears swaying in the fields by the roadside, plump crabs crawling along the embankments, and lotus farmers busily harvesting lotus roots beneath dark green lotus leaves in the marshes.

The garden is crisscrossed with rivers and canals, forming a dense network of waterways. The main varieties of lotus roots grown here include local types such as "Beauty Red," "Big Purple Red," "Wild Goose Red," "Water Selected No. 1," and "Wild Lotus." In recent years, varieties like "Wuzhi No. 2," "E'lian," "Honghu Lotus," "Taihu Lotus," and "Space Lotus" have also been introduced, making it a base for introducing new lotus root varieties and breeding improved strains in Jiangsu Province. The East Lake and West Lake areas within the garden abound with fish, shrimp, crabs, turtles, and soft-shelled turtles, and are fringed with reeds and cattails, creating a unique eco-tourism landscape often referred to as the "Shajiabang of Central Jiangsu."

“Boundless green lotus leaves merge with the sky; lotus blossoms glow red under the sun.” Walking across the bridges in the lotus garden gives visitors a true sense of being in close contact with the “Hometown of Chinese Lotus Roots — Baoying.” Standing at the edge of the garden and looking out, one is greeted by an expansive sea of blooming lotuses. Under the dazzling sunlight, beyond the endless stretches of lotus flowers lies a stretch of lush greenery. Four windmills scattered throughout the lotus fields turn their blades in the wind, exuding a steadfast spirit. From a distance, they resemble four giant river birds soaring through the sky. The natural scenery along the small paths—reeds, cattails, and water lilies—is a delightful sight to behold.

Cruising through the lotus fields by boat offers yet another experience. With a gentle poke of his bamboo pole, the boatman sends the boat gliding swiftly forward like an arrow shot from a bow. Accepting a freshly harvested lotus root from the farmers, washing off the mud, and taking a bite brings an immediate sensation of crisp freshness that instantly banishes all worries. Observing the lotus farmers harvesting roots is one of the most fascinating sights in the fields. They work in groups of three or five, or even a dozen or more. As they harvest, they appear like magicians performing tricks—waist-deep in water, they pull out one bright lotus root after another, creating a dazzling spectacle.