Dongqian Lake

Dongqian Lake

Dongqian Lake is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a national water conservancy scenic area.

Dongqian Lake, also known as Qian Lake, is a famous scenic area in Zhejiang Province, located 15 kilometers east of Ningbo city. It enjoys the reputation of having "the scenery of West Lake and the grandeur of Taihu Lake." Dongqian Lake consists of three parts: Guzi Lake, Mei Lake, and Outer Lake, with a circumference of 45 kilometers and an area of 22 square kilometers, making it the largest (natural) freshwater lake in Zhejiang Province, four times the size of Hangzhou's West Lake. The lake is surrounded by mountains and lush greenery. Its crystal-clear waters stretch far into the distance. No matter the weather or season, it offers visitors a delightful view.

With a history of over 1,200 years since its excavation, Dongqian Lake is dotted with historical relics. It features ten major scenic spots such as Tao Gong’s Fishing Jetty, Xiayu Locking Mist, Er Ling Sunset Glow, and Baishi Immortal Terrace, as well as more than 70 ancient sites including the Southern Song Dynasty grotto "Buddha's Heavenly Cave," the Yuan Dynasty pagoda Er Ling Pagoda, and the Temple of Wang Anshi. There are also 21 cultural heritage protection sites and over 200 stone carvings from the Southern Song Dynasty. The area has now developed into four main sightseeing zones: Xiayu-Er Ling, Pingshui Luting, Celebrity Scenic Area, and Leisure Resort Area. Major attractions include: Buddha's Heavenly Cave, Er Ling Pagoda, Wang Anshi Memorial Hall, Yue Fei Temple, as well as statues such as that of Shen Guangwen — the founding figure of Taiwanese literature, the Calligraphy Art Museum of Sha Menghai — the master of calligraphy, the Insect Museum of Zhou Yao — an expert in global insect taxonomy, the National Defense Education Center, Butterfly Pavilion, and Lakeside Park.

Address: Dongqian Lake Town, Yinzhou District, Ningbo City

Type: Lake & Historical Sites

Recommended visiting time: 1–1.5 days

Phone: 4008268000; 0574-88373737; 0574-83015959

Official Website: http://www.dqlaketour.com/

Opening Hours:

Open all day; paid attractions are generally open from 8:00–17:00.

Ticket Information:

Free entry. The Dongqian Lake scenic area is free to enter, though some lakeside attractions may charge fees.

Dongqian Lake Town: Nestled among the rolling, picturesque mountains in the southeastern suburbs of Ningbo, Dongqian Lake Town boasts a superior location and convenient transportation. Situated in the economically dynamic, densely populated, and well-connected Yangtze River Delta region, it serves as a central hub in the tourism network of eastern Zhejiang. It is just a 10-minute drive from downtown Ningbo and Yinzhou Airport, and only 10 minutes to access the Shanghai-Hangzhou-Ningbo Expressway and Tongsan Expressway. With the completion of the Hangzhou Bay Cross-sea Bridge in 2008, Ningbo entered a two-hour traffic circle centered on Shanghai. The town itself hosts what was praised by Mr. Guo Moruo as having "the charm of West Lake... Dongqian Lake Town detailed information++