Yinghu Cultural Tourism Area

Yinghu Cultural Tourism Area

Yinghu Cultural Tourism Area is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

Ying Lake, also known as Ying? Lake, is located in Pingwang Town, Wujiang District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province. Legend has it that it was one of the Five Lakes frequented by Fan Li during the Spring and Autumn Period of the Wu and Yue states. It earned its name due to its shape resembling the neck (?) of a Ying bird (a type of bird). There is a small island in the lake called Pingbo Platform, which was constructed in the sixth year of the Tianqi era of the Ming Dynasty (1626) by the Taoist priest Zhou Miaoyuan. In the past, most boats carrying worshippers passing through Ying? Lake would stop at this platform to offer incense. The scenic beauty earned reputations such as “Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake” and “Moonlit Night over Ying Lake.” A poem by Zhao Shiyuan of the Yuan Dynasty reads: “The Ying bird is gone, the lake remains, its story vague; A temple occupies the watery, cloud-kissed stage. Wide spreads the painted scene of trees in misty hue, Cool blows the wind o’er bridge and pavilion in June’s view. From near and far sails homeward to the creeks they steer, Fishing nets hang high ‘neath the slanting sun so clear. A flute’s note from green hills’ depths stirs into flight A row of egrets sleeping on the sand white.”

On the fertile land of Pingwang, history runs deep and culture thrives. Yinghu Lake flows through Pingwang, its blue waves rippling for thousands of years, nurturing generation after generation of local residents—it is the mother lake of Pingwang. As early as six to seven thousand years ago during the Neolithic Age, ancestors lived and thrived here, leaving behind cultural relics of the Liangzhu and Majiabang civilizations. This splendid culture gave rise to a prosperous Pingwang, producing historic figures such as Zhou Yong, Zhu Tianlin, Yin Zhaoyong, and Pan Chengzhang, as well as modern notables like Ni Zheng, Tang Changru, and Huang Wenxi. Among the descendants of the Lanxi people, one of the creators of ancient Chinese civilization, emerged a giant of his time—Lu Xun.

The ancient “Eight Scenic Spots of Pingwang,” including “Sails on the Lanxi River,” “Moonlit Night over Pingbo,” “Fishing Huts by the Mulberry Grove,” and “Chimes from the Buddhist Temple,” have been renowned since ancient times, attracting countless literati and poets to pause and admire. Esteemed figures such as Yan Zhenqing, Zhang Ji, Fan Chengda, and Tang Xianzu lingered here enchanted. During their tours, the Qing emperors Kangxi and Qianlong were moved to compose poetry and lavish praise upon Pingwang. All of this shows that Pingwang has long been famed for its beauty, elegance, and prosperity.