Jinguang Lake Scenic Area

Jinguang Lake Scenic Area

Jinguang Lake Scenic Area is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a national water conservancy scenic area.

Jinguang Lake is located in the northwest of Wu'an City, approximately 60 kilometers from Handan. It derives its name from the legendary story of Emperor Taizu of the Song Dynasty, Zhao Kuangyin, who traveled a thousand li to escort

the maiden Jinguang, an event that occurred in this region, hence the name. Originally called Kou Shang Reservoir, Jinguang Lake is located north of Kou Shang Village in the mountainous northwest of Wu'an City, about 30 kilometers from Wu'an City. It has now been developed into a tourist scenic area and summer resort, thanks to its beautiful landscapes.

Constructed between 1966 and 1969, Jinguang Lake covers a maximum water surface area of 2,500 mu (approximately 166.7 hectares) with a water storage capacity of 32 million cubic meters. The lake is shaped like an inverted "人" character, divided into eastern and western branches. The eastern branch is the upper section of the Changshe River, while the western branch is the upper section of the Mendao River, each stretching about 3 kilometers. The area features overlapping mountains, competing peaks, rippling waters, lush forests, along with historical sites and mythical legends, creating a poetic and picturesque tourist destination.

The valleys and gorges each possess unique characteristics. Some are man-made, grand and majestic, seemingly surpassing nature; others are naturally formed, diverse and lifelike. Some blend with myths and historical tales, infusing emotion into the scenery and evoking deep feelings. Historical records document the anecdotes of Zhao Kuangyin, including the famous tale of him traveling a thousand li to escort Jinguang, which took place here.

The Jinguang Lake scenic area is divided into three main zones: the Water Sightseeing Area, Zhenyi Island Sightseeing Area, and the Wharf Leisure and Resort Area.

I. Water Sightseeing Area

The Water Sightseeing Area consists of eastern and western branches. Major attractions on the eastern branch include Tiger Cave, Goddess Cave, Screen Mountain, and Divine Turtle

Probing the Sea, Double Rainbow Reflecting the Moon, One-Line Sky, and Huofa Mountain. The western branch features attractions such as Alpine Lake, the Spot Where Emperor Taizu of Song Wrote Poetry, Songzu Gorge, Jinguang Gorge, Drying Clothes Rock, Dripping Emerald Pool, and Dressing Table.

Jinguang Lake got its name from the many beautiful and moving legends associated with Emperor Taizu of the Song Dynasty, Zhao Kuangyin, who traveled a thousand li to escort the maiden Jinguang. Historical records indicate that the earliest account of Zhao Kuangyin’s journey to escort Jinguang can be found in the Yuan Dynasty zaju play "Jinguang’s Grievance." Later, Ming Dynasty writer Feng Menglong recorded the story in Volume 21 of "Stories to Caution the World," as well as in Chapters 18 and 19 of the Ming Dynasty novel "The Story of the Flying Dragon." Even the famous Ming Dynasty novelist Luo Guanzhong described Zhao Kuangyin’s journey in his novel "The Dragon and Tiger Meet."

The Water Sightseeing Area not only offers visitors the touching legend of Zhao Kuangyin escorting Jinguang but also allows them to enjoy stunning natural aquatic wonders. Along the lakeshore, there are deep valleys and steep red cliffs. Geological studies show that the Jinguang Lake area has undergone tectonic movements including the "Lüliang Movement" around 1.9 billion years ago, the "Yanshan Movement" around 250 million years ago, and the "Himalayan Movement" around 65 million years ago. These processes created towering mountains, precipitous peaks and rocks, and emerald waters against crimson cliffs. The unique geology and landforms not only form a magnificent landscape but also hold significant scientific value for geological research. This distinctive terrain reflects the geological evolution of the Jinguang Lake region, making it a natural museum showcasing the ancient marine sedimentary features of North China.

II. Zhenyi Island Sightseeing Area

The Zhenyi Island Sightseeing Area primarily features mountainous natural scenery. The entire island boasts well-preserved

secondary forests, offering year-round wild charm and making it a rare “natural garden.”

The secondary forests mainly consist of walnut, chestnut, mountain peach, mountain apricot, mulberry, black jujube, oak, pagoda tree, maple, round-leaf maple, and pine (Chinese pine). Wildlife includes wild boar, pheasant, squirrel, thrush, and cuckoo. The area is also home to wild medicinal plants such as fleeceflower root, pinellia, and poria cocos, as well as many rare trees and birds and animals that even local villagers cannot name. From midsummer to late autumn, visitors can walk along the winding island loop road, shaded by dense forests, with mountain streams, birdsongs, and floral fragrances. Ascending to the island's highest peak, Yuping Peak, one can feel as though the blue sky is within reach and the white clouds within grasp, offering a view that makes “all other mountains seem small.”

In addition, the Zhenyi Island is home to the “Jinguang Shrine,” built in commemoration of Zhao Kuangyin’s legendary journey to escort Jinguang. The main hall is designed in the style of a single-eave hip-and-gable roof typical of the Song Dynasty. Inside, painted clay statues of Emperor Taizu and Lady Jinguang are enshrined, while the surrounding walls display paintings and sculptures depicting the legends of Jinguang, creating a culturally rich atmosphere. In front of the main hall stands a memorial archway modeled after ancient stone designs, serving as the entrance to the Jinguang Shrine.

III. Wharf Leisure Area

The Wharf Leisure Area features attractions such as the Paragliding Platform, Yanxian Rock, Lingbo Crossing, and Liulang Crossing, along with specially established

facilities including a Tourist Service Center, medical aid station, visitor complaint center, IP card telephone booths, postal boxes, and a large parking lot.

The area hosts 16 tourism hotels of various sizes and styles, including Songshan Mountain Villa and Jinguang Lake Hotel Buildings 1 and 2, as well as 22 tourist restaurants. It can accommodate 400 guests and serve 1,200 diners at once, with a daily reception capacity of 4,000 visitors.

The Jinguang Lake Scenic Area attracts both domestic and international tourists with its unique natural resources and legendary cultural heritage. By promoting regional culture, the area blends rich local traditions with its beautiful landscapes, resulting in a profound experience where scenery and culture intertwine. It is truly the “Pearl of Taihang in Southern Hebei”!

The scenic area is committed to creating “tourism excellence” and has set the goal of “making Jinguang Lake known to the world, and bringing Jinguang Lake to the world.” It strives to develop into an ecological, international, modern tourist destination, making Jinguang Lake a true national AAAA-level attraction, showcasing itself to visitors with a new brand and image.

III. Scenic Area Honors

Advanced Unit Supporting the Construction of Civilized Ecological Villages

Handan City Seventh Consumer Trustworthy Unit

2002 Contract-Abiding and Credit-Valuing Enterprise

2001 Contract-Abiding and Credit-Valuing Enterprise, among other honorable titles

Rated as a National Forest Park and National Water Conservancy Scenic Area in 2005

National AAA-level Tourist Attraction

Designated as an official accommodation unit for tourist groups in Wu’an City in 2006.

Attraction Introduction

Jingniang Lake Scenic Area includes 18 scenic spots: High Gorge and Calm Lake, Immortal Spirit Gorge, Song Ancestors Gorge, Jingniang Gorge, Angry Lion Raising Its Head, Divine Turtle Peeking Out, Eagle’s Vigilant Gaze, Storing Grain on Tuntian Mountain, Goddess Sharing Millet, Layered Bridges Playing with the Moon, Camel Humps Competing in Beauty, Cold Pool’s Lingering Regret, Cloud Cliff Bearing Aspirations, Ancient Rocks Drifting with Cotton-Like Clouds, Green Peaks Opening Like Screens, Precarious Cliffs Hiding Scriptures, and more.