Hongcun South Lake

Hongcun South Lake

The surface reflects shimmering light, blending water and sky into one hue. Distant peaks and nearby houses seem to tumble into the lake, where movement and stillness complement each other, enhancing the scenery’s radiance. Located at the southern edge of Hongcun, the South Lake was built in the 35th year of the Wanli era during the Ming Dynasty (1607). From the Yongle to the Wanli eras, Hongcun’s village grew densely packed with buildings of varying heights, and its population expanded. Relying solely on the Moon Pond for water storage became insufficient, so in the Wanli year of Dingwei, over 100 acres of fertile farmland south of the village were excavated several zhang deep. The surrounding area was reinforced with stone embankments, modeled after the "Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake" scenery of West Lake, giving rise to the South Lake. The lake is shaped like a large bow, with its embankment divided into upper and lower levels. The upper level is 4 meters wide and was once shaded by towering ancient trees, lush and dripping with verdancy. Their trunks were entwined with green vines, while birds sang overhead. There were also weeping willows, their branches graceful as if a maiden were combing her hair by the mirror-like lake, scattering her tresses onto the water. The lake’s surface rippled with green lotus leaves and splashing ducks, offering another delightful scene. The entire lake is a play of reflections, shimmering light, and the blending of water and sky, with distant peaks and nearby houses seemingly submerged within. Interactions between the shade of the trees, the depth of the water, and sunlight create a harmonious interplay of light and shadow, movement and stillness, making the area appear serene, elegant, fresh, and radiant. Historically, the South Lake underwent three major renovations. In 1986, the central embankment was rebuilt, and the “Painted Bridge” was constructed, allowing boats to glide east-west, adding endless charm.

Hongcun Town: Hongcun Town is located at the southern foot of Huangshan Mountain, just 29 kilometers from the southern entrance of the Huangshan Scenic Area and 60 kilometers from Huangshan Airport, making transportation extremely convenient. It currently administers 21 villages and 142 villager groups, covering an area of 187.1 square kilometers. The town has a permanent population of over 20,000 and a floating population of 5,000. The area features overlapping mountains, dense forests and bamboo groves, clear streams meandering through, and pleasant scenery. It has 14,318 hectares of forest, with a coverage rate of 77%. It is now recognized as an Environmentally Beautiful Township of Huangshan City, an Ecological Civilization Township of Huangshan City, and an Environmental Education Base of Anhui Province.

The area is dotted with numerous... More details about Hongcun Town++