Wan'an Lake

Wan'an Lake

Wan'an Lake is a national wetland park.

A national forest park and a scenic area of Jiangxi Province. Located in the middle and upper reaches of the Gan River, 1 kilometer south of Wan'an County. It is 8 kilometers from the Wan'an interchange of the Gan-Guang Expressway and 18 kilometers from National Highway 105. It is a lake-type natural scenic area. The massive artificial lake was formed after the completion of the “Wan'an Hydropower Station,” a key national project during the Seventh Five-Year Plan period.

Within Wan'an County, Wan'an Lake stretches approximately 45 kilometers in length and about 2 kilometers in width, covering a total area of 16,333 hectares with a water storage capacity of 2.216 billion cubic meters. The eastern part of the park features terraced mountainous terrain, where hills rise abruptly from an elevation of 250 meters to 804 meters, forming a natural barrier for the reservoir. The highest peak in the area is Jia Shazhang, which stands at 804.3 meters and is characterized by its steep and rugged ridges dotted with peaks. The park boasts a diverse range of vegetation types and species, with over 2,000 known higher plants, predominantly evergreen species from the Fagaceae and Lauraceae families. The forest coverage rate within the park reaches 80%. The area is home to a large population of wild animals, including several rare and protected species. Historically, the area was known for the treacherous "Eighteen Shoals," considered among the most dangerous waterways in the country, which inspired numerous poems and essays by historical literati such as Ouyang Xiu, Yang Wanli, Su Dongpo, Xin Qiji, Wen Tianxiang, Xie Jin, and Wang Shizhen, giving rise to the rich cultural heritage of the "Eighteen Shoals Culture." Today, Wan'an Lake is characterized by its vast open waters, shimmering waves, continuous mountain ranges, and lush peaks, making it one of the most beautiful stretches of the entire Gan River. The park serves not only as an important site for scientific research, camping, and education but also as an ideal destination for tourism, sightseeing, and vacationing. Major attractions include Mixi Pit, Zaokou Cliff, Guanyin Pavilion, Guifu Pool, the Red Army Hospital, Zengwentang, and the ancient post road. The scenic area has recently opened water-based tour routes, making it a key highlight along the golden tourism route of southwestern Jiangxi. Guanyin Pavilion: Located within Wan'an Lake, 15 kilometers from the county seat. Initially built during the Jin Dynasty, it was originally named “Yili An” (One Grain Temple). Through the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, Qing Dynasties, and the Republican era, the temple was renowned for the efficacy of its deity and enjoyed widespread fame. Zaokou Cliff: A massive natural rock face within the reservoir area. In the third year of the Chunxi reign during the Song Dynasty, the patriotic poet Xin Qiji composed his famous poem “Pu Sa Man · Inscribed on the Wall at Zaokou in Jiangxi” here. The timeless line “Green hills cannot stop it, after all, eastward the river flows” has since become an enduring classic.