Xiangyin Qingshan Island

Xiangyin Qingshan Island

Qingshan Island is situated in the northern part of Xiangyin County, Yueyang City. It is a natural isolated island in the vast South Dongting Lake, about 20 kilometers north of Xiangyin County. The island has a land area of 112 square kilometers and an inland lake of 6,000 mu. It is shaped like a huge lobster, featuring a north-south hilly belt layout, approximately 10,000 meters long from north to south and about 1,000 meters wide from east to west, with an average elevation of 38 meters and a highest point of 50 meters.

To the south of Qingshan Island is Hengling Lake, to the north is Heyehu Lake, and to the east is Meizihu Lake. The island boasts rich and unique natural landscapes, with vast shimmering lake surfaces dotted with masts and sails. The island is covered with vitex and lush reed marshes. Its surroundings feature dense vegetation, migratory fish, and abundant birdlife, making it home to a highly diverse range of biological species. Qingshan Island also has a wealth of cultural and historical sites. It is considered the birthplace of freshwater fishing culture in southern China, with multiple archaeological sites of Neolithic fishing cultures having been discovered. Qingshan is also a thriving center of modern freshwater fishing culture. As the saying goes, “Dongting Lake has the finest water under heaven, and Qingshan has the finest fishing under heaven,” which reflects the historical significance of Qingshan’s fishing heritage.

Qingshan has a profound historical and cultural background. Historical records say that the two consorts of Emperor Shun accompanied him on his southern tour and later committed suicide in the lake to follow him, and were buried on Qingshan. Originally, the Huangling Tomb of the Two Consorts was built there. During the Tang Dynasty, it was called Xiangling Temple and has since been regarded as the foremost scenic site in Xiangyin. Throughout history, literary figures such as Li Bai, Du Fu, Han Yu, Li He, and Su Dongpo have all left immortal poems and writings here. During the Southern Song Dynasty, the rebel navy of Yang Yao once stationed on Qingshan. After Yang Yao was captured, he was beheaded by Yue Fei here. This is evidenced by the place name Yang Yao Tou and the Yang Yao Temple. During the Anti-Japanese War, Japanese troops invaded Qingshan three times and carried out the shocking “Qingshan Massacre.” The surviving sites include the “Ten Thousand People Pit” (also known as the Educational Cave) and the Qingshan Martyrs Memorial Pavilion for soldiers and civilians who died resisting the Japanese invasion. These serve as important patriotic education bases in Xiangyin.