Huating Lake

Huating Lake

Huating Lake is a national scenic area, a National AAAA-level tourist attraction, a national water conservancy scenic area, and a national wetland park.

The Huating Lake Scenic Area is located in Taihu County, Anqing City, Anhui Province, at the southern foot of the Dabie Mountains and the northern bank of the Yangtze River. Its natural and cultural landscapes complement each other, and it is geographically connected, resource-complementary, and culturally linked with other scenic areas in southwestern Anhui. The area boasts picturesque mountains and clear waters, abundant historical sites, a rich cultural heritage, and plentiful local produce. It is one of the first provincial-level key scenic areas announced by the provincial government. The natural scenery here is fresh and splendid, with uniquely charming lake and mountain views. Countless islands dot the shimmering waters of Huating Lake, set off beautifully by the surrounding green pines, cypresses, peculiar peaks, and oddly shaped rocks.

The Huating Lake Scenic Area has a profound cultural heritage and a deep-rooted Zen Buddhist culture. Its wealth of historical and cultural relics reflects the ancient, glorious, and sometimes painful history of Taihu, as well as the layers of legacy built up over time. Huike, the founding patriarch of Chinese Zen Buddhism, established his practice here, giving birth to Chinese Zen culture. As a result, Huating Lake enjoys the reputation of being the “Birthplace of Chinese Zen Buddhism.”

Huating Lake is rich in natural resources. The lake and its surrounding islands produce citrus fruits, chestnuts, and tea, making it an ideal destination for agricultural eco-tourism. The lake teems with fish such as Wuchang bream, crabs, whitebait, silver carp, and common carp, offering great opportunities for fishing and picnicking. With its vast waters and abundant water resources, the lake is perfect for various water sports. In particular, the Tangwan Hot Springs, which discharge 1,200 tons of water daily, offer pure, crystal-clear water suitable for both bathing and therapeutic purposes, holding high scientific and medical value.

Built in 1958, Huating Lake is like a radiant pearl embedded in the towering Dabie Mountains. Covering an area of 100 square kilometers with a water storage capacity of 2.4 billion cubic meters, it irrigates 1.05 million mu of fertile farmland in Taihu and neighboring counties, yielding 1.5 million kilograms of fresh fish annually. With its beautiful lake and mountain scenery, it truly embodies the phrase “a mirror-like expanse of jade fields under an endless sky where autumn waters blend seamlessly with the horizon.” In 1990, after returning to his hometown and visiting the lake, Mr. Zhao Puchu was deeply moved and immediately composed the admiring verse: “Fully embrace the thousand-layered mountain hues and the myriad-acre shimmering waters.” The lake is dotted with numerous islands, each with its own unique charm, like glittering pearls that enhance the exceptional allure of Huating Lake. Lush, undulating mountains encircle the lake. Attractions such as the Jiulongjian Waterfall, Tiansheng Tower, Flying Rock, and the Zen Reclining Buddha complement the beautiful Huating Lake, creating a harmonious and picturesque scene.

Xifeng Cave Scenic Area The Xifeng Cave Scenic Area is located on Phoenix Mountain by Huating Lake, 4 kilometers north of the city. Phoenix Mountain originates from Mingtang Mountain and is an extension of the Dabie Mountains. It earned the name “Phoenix Mountain” because the Fifth Patriarch of Zen Buddhism, Hongren, once stayed here and attracted many phoenixes to pay homage. Formed during the Quaternary period’s neotectonic movements, the mountain features peculiar peaks and grotesquely shaped rocks in diverse forms. The mountain is mainly composed of the Wanshan rock mass, with complex geology, predominantly consisting of granite, mixed granite, and two-mica gneiss. Roads and stairways leading up the mountain have now been constructed, greatly facilitating visitors’ access for worship and sightseeing.

Xifeng Chan Temple Built during the Tang Dynasty and originally named Lion Nunnery, Xifeng Chan Temple has three levels, with grey brick walls and wooden structures, facing west. It served as the practice site of the Fifth Patriarch of Zen Buddhism. According to the Taihu County Annals, the temple was destroyed by fire in the sixth year of the Xianfeng era (1856) and was later rebuilt through donations by monks in the eighth year of the Republic of China (1919). The existing middle and upper Buddha halls are structures from the Republican era. Inside the halls are seated statues of Sakyamuni Buddha, Amitabha Buddha, and the Medicine Buddha of Healing and Longevity. The pillars on either side are inscribed with couplets: “The wondrous form, perfectly unified in form and mind, manifests universally across the ten directions; the eternal Dharma body, neither coming nor going, endures through countless kalpas.” The hall is perpetually filled with the scent of incense, the sound of bells and drums, and a constant flow of devout worshippers.

Longshan Palace Scenic Area The mountain to the right of the Outer Lake in the lake area is called Longshan (Dragon Mountain). It lies against Simianjian Mountain to the north and borders the Changhe River to the west. With its continuous, undulating, and majestic ridges resembling a coiling dragon, it earned the name “Longshan.” The dragon’s head overlooks a deep pool, making the entire mountain look like a dragon bowing its head to drink water. Legend has it that there is a large cave beneath the deep pool that leads to the “Dragon Palace.” On summer nights, river mist condenses on the cliff faces, and by morning, the rocks appear as if drenched by overnight rain—this phenomenon is known as “Longshan Night Rain,” one of the Four Scenic Wonders of Taihu. This marvel has attracted numerous scholars and poets throughout history. Ancient explanations for this strange sight included tales like “dragons playing in the water” or “dragon saliva soaking the rocks.” In reality, the night rain on Longshan is caused by a unique “microclimate” formed where the steep cliffs of Longshan meet the deep pool of the Changhe River. The different heat capacities of rock and water mean that rocks heat up and cool down faster than water. During the day, the rocks of Longshan heat up while the pool water remains cool, but at night, the rocks cool down while the water stays warmer. The thermal radiation from the water warms the air above the surface, causing it to rise. Upon meeting the cooler air, it condenses into fine mist and drizzle, thus creating the so-called “Longshan Night Rain.”

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of National Key Scenic Areas