Butterfly Island

Butterfly Island

Located at the southwestern corner of Nanbei Lake, Butterfly Island was artificially created during the dredging of the southern lake in 1988. It was built to commemorate the visit of Hu Die, a famous Shanghai movie star from the 1930s, who came to Nanbei Lake to film a movie titled "Salt Tide," depicting the life of local salt farmers. The island covers an area of about 12 acres, resembling the shape of a butterfly, making it a great spot for leisure and tea tasting.

The main structure on the island is the Shanhai Pavilion, a three-story building that is open on all sides, with views in every direction. Surrounded by mountains on three sides and facing the sea on the fourth, the pavilion offers panoramic views that are both uplifting and serene. To the north lies Zhonghutang Lake, with two bridges and a causeway above its waters and weeping willows lining the shore. To the west is Yingke Peak, where towering mountains block the view and an ancient red-walled temple sits atop. To the east is the foot of Yangshan, lined with rows of guesthouses. To the south, beyond a causeway, lie the vast waves of the Qiantang River. Though small, the pavilion encompasses a sweeping view of the lake, mountains, and sea.

To the south of the Shanhai Pavilion, at the southeastern edge of the island, are the Shuangfei Pavilion and the Tingquan Tea House. On the southern and western sides facing the lake, outdoor corridors have been built where visitors can lean on the railings and enjoy the scenery as if standing in the water. A 10-meter-long zigzag corridor connects the Shuangfei Pavilion and the Tingquan Tea House. Behind the corridor is a small pond, with buildings on either side that appear to stand gracefully in the middle of the water—making it a perfect place for tea tasting.

In addition, the island features other small structures such as the Lianli Pavilion, Liangyi Pavilion, and Butterfly Courtyard. Another unique feature of the island is its use of pebbles—walls, revetments, columns, and pathways are all constructed with pebbles, along with several-ton boulders scattered throughout. This gives visitors a sense of solidity and simplicity upon arrival, evoking a feeling of returning to nature.

Address: Inside Nanbei Lake Scenic Area, Haiyan County, Jiaxing City

Type: Island/Peninsula, Exhibition Halls

Recommended visiting time: 1–3 hours

Phone: 0573-86513123

Ticket information:

No separate ticket required. Included in the Nanbei Lake Scenic Area ticket (80 RMB).