East Lake Scenic Area of Pinghu

East Lake Scenic Area of Pinghu

The East Lake Scenic Area is located on the eastern side of Pinghu city proper and was originally land. In the second year of the Yongjian era (127 AD) during the reign of Emperor Shun of the Eastern Han Dynasty, it was formed by the convergence of nine rivers. In ancient times, it was likened to the “Nine Dragons Harbor,” and from above, it resembles a painting of “Nine Dragons Playing with a Pearl.” It is an urban lake in Pinghu.

The scenic area is not very large and sees very few visitors, lacking some of the charm found in West Lake in Hangzhou or South Lake in Jiaxing. Its most distinctive feature is the watermelon lanterns in the lake, which are lit up at night and are quite beautiful. Even the streetlights are shaped like watermelons, showing just how important watermelons are to the people of Pinghu. Free guided tours are available in the area, and you can explore on foot, by electric cart, or take a boat ride for a delightful experience.

An ancient poem praises it: “Nine miles of lake light by a nine-mile city, nine streams encircle emerald hues with mist rising, tributaries stretch like dragons converging, a vast expanse opens with a level shore.” In the fifth year of the Long’an era of the Jin Dynasty (401 AD), it was renamed Dongwu Lake, also called East Lake. Its elegant names include Parrot Lake and Wu Lake. The “Ten Scenes of East Lake” are celebrated in poems such as Li Dongyang’s “Ten Odes to Pinghu” from the Ming Dynasty and Feng Minxiao’s “Twelve Odes to Danghu.” Over the five hundred years from the establishment of Pinghu County in the fifth year of the Xuande era of the Ming Dynasty (1430 AD) through the Ming and Qing dynasties, garden construction flourished immensely. Over centuries, East Lake has accumulated profound historical and cultural heritage.

Among the many attractions, the Li Shutong Memorial Hall within Shutong Park is a landmark structure in the scenic area, showcasing the life and achievements of Mr. Li Shutong.

Walking along Lügong Road and ànshān Road on the north and east sides of the lake, and then An’tao Road on the south side, you’ll arrive at Tayingchuihong. Here, the Baoben Pagoda is one of the oldest existing buildings in Pinghu. The Baoben Temple was rebuilt in recent years. Turning south onto An’tao Road leads to Huancheng East Road, and at the corner lies Nancun Shudui. At the entrance stands a stone memorial archway, and by the lake is the three-story Yilanlou, from which you can gaze toward the distant Jiufeng sea view. It echoes and complements the Li Shutong Memorial Hall in a splendid harmony.

The total planned area of the East Lake District is 10.86 square kilometers, with the first phase covering 4.12 square kilometers. It includes a road framework of “three rings and three radiating roads,” as well as a large number of public facilities such as the Eight Scenic Spots of East Lake, a library, and a sports center.

The development and construction of the East Lake Scenic Area is carried out in two phases: The first phase is the core section around East Lake, which began construction in March 2000. Drawing on the essence of the ancient “Ten Scenes of East Lake” and incorporating modern aesthetic concepts, it harmoniously blends traditional classical garden styles with modern garden architectural art. It has created the new “Eight Scenic Spots of East Lake”: Wuhu, Nancun Shudui, Jiulong Xizhu, Hanzhu Ninghui, Taying Chuihong, ànshān Xiaocui, Beiyuan Muyang, and Xipu Yuzeng. The second phase consists of two major scenic areas: North East Lake (Dongmao Yunfan) and South East Lake (Longqiu Guixiang).

In 2008, the renovation project of the East Lake District was awarded the “China Habitat Environment Example Award” by the Ministry of Construction of China. It has also successively received honors such as Provincial Ecological Education Demonstration Base, Provincial Eco-tourism Demonstration Area, Provincial Health Advanced Unit, Provincial Women’s Civilization Post, Provincial March 8th Red Banner Collective, Zhejiang Provincial Civilized Service Demonstration Site in the Construction System, and one of Zhejiang Province’s Fifty Excellent Tourist Attractions.