Fairy Lake

Fairy Lake

Fairy Lake is a national scenic area and a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

As a national key scenic area, Fairy Lake is located 16 kilometers southwest of Xinyu City, Jiangxi Province. It is the birthplace of the legendary tale of "fairies descending to earth" recorded in the ancient text *In Search of the Supernatural*, and is a renowned lake-type national scenic spot. It also ranks as Asia’s largest subtropical tree species gene bank. The 198-square-kilometer scenic area features a 50-square-kilometer lake surface dotted with islands, crystal-clear waters, and mysterious, alluring primeval forests.

Fairy Lake boasts simple yet beautiful natural scenery, characterized by “seclusion, elegance, wonder, and grandeur.” The area combines both lake and mountainous landscape types. There’s the winding, serene Wulong Lake with interconnected waterways, the rapid-flowing Zhongshan Gorge flanked by opposing peaks, the vast and misty Lingyang Lake bustling with sailing boats, and the Dagang Mountain, a green gene treasure trove. Amidst Fairy Lake’s ancient, mystical landscapes, numerous beautiful legends are passed down, alongside countless historical relics that have left their mark on history. These include an ancient underwater city, ancient bridges in the water, ancient stone carvings by the lake, historic temples, and ancient pottery kiln sites—truly wonders of Chinese heritage. This is also the hometown of Hu Zhao, Jiangxi’s first top imperial scholar in the Tang Dynasty; Wang Qinruo, a prominent official of the Song Dynasty; and Yan Song, a powerful minister of the Ming Dynasty. Notably, Song Yingxing’s scientific masterpiece *Tiangong Kaiwu* (The Exploitation of the Works of Nature) adds rich cultural significance to Fairy Lake.

In recent years, Fairy Lake has pursued a comprehensive strategy of opening up to the outside world and has accelerated the development of tourism infrastructure. Modern tourist roads and top-tier domestic tourist docks have been newly built. To date, over 20 scenic spots and cultural heritage sites have been developed, making it an ideal destination for sightseeing, leisure, and vacation.

According to archaeologists, humans lived and thrived in the Fairy Lake area as far back as the Neolithic Age. Over the centuries, the wisdom and labor of our ancestors have left behind a profound cultural legacy and numerous historic sites in this land. In particular, *Tiangong Kaiwu*, written by the Ming Dynasty scientist Song Yingxing during his tenure as an educator in Fenyi, made a significant mark in the history of world science and technology, while also enriching the cultural depth of Fairy Lake’s picturesque landscapes. The lake area also features cultural attractions such as Wenxian Pagoda, Wan’nian Bridge, Reading Platform, Changshan Temple, and Dragon King Temple.

Fairy Lake’s beautiful lakes and mountains, ancient trees, famous woodlands, rural villages, echoing springs, and cascading waterfalls form a series of natural paintings. The islands in the lake vary in shape and charm. Within the vast expanse of Fairy Lake’s blue waters, you can admire the boundless lake merging with the sky, the misty waters dotted with fishing boats; explore a world where “jade hairpins” (islands) are scattered across the landscape, where mountains and water are intimately intertwined, and where lake inlets wind through serene paths; or gently cruise along the winding waters, where the scenery shifts with every movement of the boat.

Fairy Lake currently offers over 20 developed and open scenic spots across four major categories: natural scenery, cultural attractions, wildlife experiences, and recreational activities. Highlights include the development of Snake Island, Egret Island, and Monkey Island. On Egret Island, immerse yourself in the pristine world of egrets; on Snake Island, dance with snakes; and on Dragon King Island, engage in a playful battle of wits with monkeys—you’ll feel an overwhelming sense of transcendence. There’s also a lakeside restaurant—the Lake Freshness Pavilion—as well as thrilling participatory activities such as parasailing, seaplanes, water skiing, jet skis, fishing spots, natural swimming areas, and horseback riding. Hop on a high-speed speedboat, try your balance on a jet ski, or take to the skies with a parasail ride—you’ll discover the infinite joys of life.

Scenic Area Address: Fairy Lake Scenic Area, 16 kilometers southwest of Xinyu City, Jiangxi Province.

Ticket Price: 160.00 RMB

Opening Hours: 08:00–16:30

Address: 16 kilometers southwest of Yushui District, Xinyu City

Type: National Park, Forest, Mountain, Lake

Rating: AAAA

Recommended Visit Duration: 1 day

Phone: 0790-6855529; 0790-6859023

Opening Hours:

8:00–17:00 (Low Season: November–February), 07:30–17:30 (High Season: March–October).

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of National Key Scenic Areas