Honghu

Honghu

Honghu is a national nature reserve.

Honghu, known in English as Hung Lake or also referred to as Hong Hu, is China’s seventh-largest freshwater lake and the largest in Hubei Province. It is located in a low-lying area between the Yangtze River and the Dongjing River in the southern part of the province. The lake surface sits at an elevation of 25 meters, covering an area of 413 square kilometers. It connects to the Yangtze River on both its eastern and western sides, making it an ideal breeding ground for fish. The southern part of the lake area, from Heiyu Bay to Luoshan, sees a large gathering of geese and ducks every winter, boasting abundant waterfowl resources. Feather fans made from wild duck feathers are a traditional handicraft in the Honghu region.

The lake has a polygonal shape with straight shores and a flat bottom. It covers an area of 355 km², stretches 23.4 km from east to west, and 20.8 km from north to south. The lake bottom lies at an elevation of 22.5–22.8 m, with an average depth of 1.35 m, a maximum depth of 2.32 m, and a minimum depth of 0.40 m. The lakebed mainly consists of silt and sand. The Honghu basin is low-lying and surrounded by water on three sides — the Yangtze River, the Han River, and the Dongjing River. Water levels are regulated through several sluice gates connected to the Yangtze. As the largest freshwater lake in Hubei Province and situated in the scenic Jianghan Plain, Honghu lies to the south of the mighty Yangtze River. In recent years, due to ecological imbalance, it has become necessary to establish wetland nature reserves and develop eco-agriculture. Honghu is not only the largest freshwater lake in Hubei but also the seventh-largest in China. In recent decades, land reclamation and overfishing have led to shrinking water surfaces, declining water quality, near-extinction of aquatic plants, and a sharp decrease in bird and fish populations. In the 1950s, Honghu covered 760 square kilometers, but today its area has drastically reduced to 348 square kilometers, with an average depth of just 1.35 meters. In November 2006, after being awarded the “Best Practice for Life Lake Conservation” by the World Life Lake Conference of the World Environmental Foundation, efforts began to designate the wetland as a national nature reserve. Currently, the open waters of Honghu have shown significant improvement in water quality. Some areas have seen water quality upgrade from Class III–IV before treatment to Class II–III. Aquatic plant coverage has recovered to around 80%. The number of bird species wintering in Honghu has increased from over 20,000 to more than 300,000, making it a highlight in China’s wetland conservation efforts. Since 2006, fishing has been banned from April to July each year to protect the ecosystem. The lake’s eastern shore can be reached by traveling 4 km west from Xindi Subdistrict Office. Honghu covers 348 square kilometers. It has a polygonal shape with straight shores and a flat bottom. The lake water is light green, with most of the surface clear and transparent. Honghu has the richest organic content among all lakes in Hubei and is an important production site for freshwater fish in China. There is a rich diversity of fish species, totaling 84. Fishing farms and aquaculture facilities are densely distributed around the lake. The lake is home to 92 species of aquatic plants, including lotus seeds which are exported at over 200,000 kg annually. With its vast waters, lush vegetation, and abundant fish and shrimp, Honghu provides an ideal habitat for migratory birds such as wild ducks and geese. There are 39 species of wintering waterfowl and 18 species of wild ducks. The lake’s annual fish yield consistently exceeds 300,000 kg, accounting for more than half of the province’s total. Wild ducks and geese are not only delicious but also provide valuable down that can be made into high-end clothing and bedding, suitable for mountaineering and other specialized gear. In addition to its rich aquatic resources, Honghu boasts stunning scenery. Each season offers unique charm, and the local fishing culture is distinctive, making it an ideal destination for water tourism. In spring, fishing boats dot the waters amid fresh green grass. In summer, lotus fields and wildflowers abound. In autumn, lotuses and water chestnuts ripen, allowing visitors to boat on the lake, taste fragrant lotus and fresh chestnuts, and experience the life of fishing families. In winter, migratory birds such as the “nine geese and eighteen ducks” gather, offering opportunities for hunting activities. Beautiful Honghu, with its unique natural scenery, attracts a large number of domestic and international tourists every year.

Xindi Subdistrict: The Xindi Subdistrict Office is located on Hongwei South Road, with a population of 122,592 and an area of 48.1 square kilometers. It administers 13 neighborhood committees and 7 village committees: Chaoyang, Xinfeng, Chunyuting, Paoluma, Shawan, Yanjiang, Renmin Road, Yuanlin, Ganjiadun, Yusha Road, Dashi Chang, Daxing, Yanhe West Road, Baizhi, Xinzhai, Nanhe, Heling, Honglin, Yejiamen, Wanjiadun, and Laoguanmiao. … More detailed information about Xindi Subdistrict ++