Yu Lake

Yu Lake

“The land is fertile and the people thrive; the mountains and rivers nurture many talents.” The Ming Dynasty poet Wu Qie, standing forever in his hometown of Gong’an—where spring waters chase the green, curtains flutter with fireflies, cranes call at night, birds skim over sandy islets, and boundless scenery abounds—gazed upon the ancient ferry where the great Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu once “moored his boat at the riverbank and let out a long, heartfelt whistle.” Bathed in the sweeping winds described by the great Song Dynasty poet Lu You, who wrote of “endless river water meeting the sky, and ceaseless sea breezes bringing the moon,” he proudly recited these verses.

Located on the southern edge of central Hubei, Gong’an County borders the Yangtze River to the north and connects to southern China’s Xiaoxiang region to the south. With rivers crisscrossing the land and hundreds of lakes scattered like chess pieces, it is a true water town of the south. Yu Lake lies on the western side of the Hudu River, within the Sanshan Embankment area. Renowned for its long cultural heritage, magnificent natural landscapes, and abundant resources, it is the brightest jewel embedded in this land. Formerly known as Chang Lake, Yu Lake’s water system connects directly to the nearby cities of Jingzhou and Songzi. The lake boasts vast, azure waters with lotus leaves stretching to the horizon, gulls soaring overhead, and a backdrop of lush trees and surrounding farmlands. Mornings reveal misty, boundless waters; evenings echo with the songs of fishermen. The Qing Dynasty poet Yuan Zhao, who visited and toured the area, was captivated by its scenery and penned the poem “Passing Chang Lake”: “The waters stretch wide, the sky seems lower; the breeze is light, clouds begin to rise. Looking back at the lakeside village, it appears submerged in the misty waves.” Over two hundred years ago, in the deep autumn of one year, Gong’an-born poet Mao Jia sailed across the lake. The autumn hues of the water inspired both nostalgia and poetic fervor: “Mooring by the lake as dusk clouds thicken, near waters and distant mountains greet the traveler. Boundless mist and smoke shroud the ancient ferry, countless emotions stir with the chill of the washing block. Red-fringed villages glow in the evening maple woods, blue-dappled bridges are kissed by willow hues. Just finished reciting a marvelous text, I set it down to draft—yet trifling literary efforts stir the heart of a man of valor.” Titled “Evening Mooring at Chang Lake.” Notably, the Mazhang Port Stone Bridge, built during the Ming Dynasty, was a grand and spectacular structure, like a rainbow lying across the waves. Even more striking were the exquisitely carved and richly decorated ornamental pillars and pavilions standing at either end of the bridge, adding immense charm to Yu Lake. Sadly, the bridge was destroyed by floods and its traces are now lost. Later generations can only imagine its magnificence through the Qing Dynasty poet Ma Shiwei’s poem “Mazhang Port Bridge”: “Mazhang Port embraces the ancient star bridge, its grand revival wreathed in auspicious purple haze. Ashamed am I not to pen verse for jade pillars, yet envy those whose colors shine like gold. In deep spring, listen to orioles sing beneath the ornamented pillars; under full moonlight, watch the dipper stars atop the monument. From now on, peace with southern tribes shall be secured, a glorious omen for southern tranquility rising high into the clouds.”

Yu Lake not only nourishes the land and provides ample livelihoods for its inhabitants but also gave rise to a highly revered eminent monk—Master Zhiquiye. Surnamed Chen and named De’an, Master Zhiquiye was born into a poor family by the lake in 538 AD. At the age of 18, he ordained at Guoyuan Temple in Xiangzhou, later establishing a thatched hut on Tiantai Mountain where he settled to teach scriptures. In his lifetime, he founded 35 major temples and ordained over 4,000 monks, becoming the founder of the Tiantai School and the first person to establish a Buddhist sect since the introduction of Buddhism to China. He authored numerous works, the most significant being the twenty-volume each of “The Profound Meaning of the Lotus Sutra,” “The Words and Phrases of the Lotus Sutra,” and “The Great Calming and Contemplation,” all of which made profound contributions to the spread of Buddhist culture. As late as the end of the Ming Dynasty, the stupa of the master’s mother still stood here. During his time as an educational officer in Gong’an, the Ming scholar Fang Ling visited to pay respects and composed the poem “The Holy Mother’s Stupa,” expressing his admiration for Master Zhiquiye: “Having feasted in the Jade Pool, she departed and never returned; the towering stupa has stood for many years. Pointing to thatch to make ears of grain, her Buddhist wit is profound; touching water to turn it into oil, her Dharma is mystical. A single pillar reaches straight to the Milky Way, seven stories rise high by the Chu River. Alone, I pity where mother and son have gone, yet their fragrant fame lives on through the ages.”

Due to its unique geographical location, Yu Lake bears the brunt of floodwaters from an upstream area of 590 square kilometers. Every rainy season, it turns into a vast expanse of water, making it one of the five most flood-prone lakes in Hubei Province. After decades of remediation efforts, the threat of flooding has gradually lessened. In the 1970s, with strong support from the provincial government, the people of Gong’an launched a series of comprehensive campaigns to thoroughly manage Yu Lake—building dikes, digging channels, and establishing electric drainage stations. Since then, the lake residents have been completely freed from the suffering of floods. Particularly in the later phases, the extended water conservancy projects and deep development of aquaculture brought about by these management efforts have opened up a brand-new future for Yu Lake.

“Spring waters ripple with playful greens, and gentle breezes carry the fragrance of vegetables.” With the progress of time, Yu Lake will continue to reveal even more enchanting beauty.