Sishui Shilong Lake National Wetland Park

Sishui Shilong Lake National Wetland Park

Sishui Shilong Lake National Wetland Park is a national-level wetland park.

Sishui Shilong Lake National Wetland Park, a wetland park in Suzhou City. Shilong Lake Wetland is located 15 kilometers south of Sishui County, with a normal water surface area of over 10,000 mu, forming a well-preserved typical wetland ecosystem. The area boasts excellent water quality and a rich diversity of flora and fauna. Its naturally wild ecological wetlands and simple, rustic farmland landscapes create picturesque blue waters, surrounded by historical sites such as the hometown of Deng Yu, a founding general of the Ming Dynasty, and the military campsite of Xiang Yu, the Overlord of Western Chu, offering highly unique tourism resources.

Historical Development

In 2009, Shilong Lake Wetland was officially approved as a national wetland park by the State Forestry Administration. The county government also designated the development of Shilong Lake National Wetland Park and eco-tourism, aiming to build "Wetland Sizhou" as a key pillar for Sishui's growth. A scientific tourism development plan was formulated, adopting a market-driven approach to accelerate the construction of tourism infrastructure within the Shilong Lake National Wetland Park. Geothermal exploration was one of the critical components in the development of the wetland park. According to agreements, the 327 Geological Team of the Provincial Geological and Mineral Bureau conducted a three-month preliminary geothermal survey in Sishui County to provide a scientific basis for the development and utilization of Shilong Lake Hot Springs.

On January 15, 2010, the county government officially signed an agreement with the 327 Geological Team of the Anhui Provincial Geological and Mineral Bureau, assigning them to carry out geothermal exploration work at Shilong Lake Wetland Park. This marked a substantive step forward in the development and construction of the hot spring facilities at Shilong Lake National Wetland Park.

In September 2016, it passed the national pilot acceptance list for wetland parks.

Shilong Lake in Sishui is located 15 kilometers south of Sishui County, within the territory of Dakoukou Township and Dunji Town. The wetland covers an area of about 10,000 mu, expanding to 30,000 mu during flood season, with the deepest part of the lake reaching approximately 10 meters. It is currently one of the best-preserved typical wetland ecosystems. The water quality is excellent, and there is a rich diversity of flora and fauna. Large areas of wild plants such as reeds, water lilies, lotuses, water hyacinths, cattails, water chestnuts, and water caltrops, along with nearly 100 species of wild fish including black carp, catfish, grass carp, silver carp, and prawns, provide habitat for dozens of bird species such as sparrows, egrets, pheasants, reed warblers, cuckoos, herons, and red-headed long-tailed tits, as well as around 20 species of wild animals including badgers, hedgehogs, foxes, rabbits, and snakes.

Environmental Overview

Sishui Shilong Lake National Wetland Park is a wetland park in Suzhou City. Shilong Lake Wetland is located 15 kilometers south of Sishui County, with a normal water surface area of over 10,000 mu, forming a well-preserved typical wetland ecosystem. The area boasts excellent water quality and a rich diversity of flora and fauna. Its naturally wild ecological wetlands and simple, rustic farmland landscapes create picturesque blue waters, surrounded by historical sites such as the hometown of Deng Yu, a founding general of the Ming Dynasty, and the military campsite of Xiang Yu, the Overlord of Western Chu, offering highly unique tourism resources. There are springs in the lake, with surrounding water temperatures consistently stable at 23–24°C year-round, locally referred to as Dragon Eyes.