Jianggu Flat Lake

Jianggu Flat Lake

Jianggu Flat Lake is also known as Jianggu Reservoir. Located in the middle and upper reaches of the Longjiang River in Sihui City, Guangdong Province, within the territory of Jianglin Town in the northwestern part of the city, it stretches 12 kilometers in length, 2 kilometers in width, with a depth of 40 meters, a water area of 233 hectares, and a water storage capacity of 6,860 cubic meters. The reservoir boasts abundant water resources, with crystal-clear, azure waters that showcase the natural beauty of water bodies. The reservoir area combines natural landscapes, cultural attractions, and engineering sights, with mountains and water complementing each other to create a magnificent scenic panorama. In an era where the human living environment is increasingly deteriorating, it is particularly precious that the reservoir area still maintains a well-preserved natural environment. This makes it quite appealing to tourists.

Currently, the development of the Jianggu Reservoir area is very limited, yet it still attracts about 30,000 visitors annually. In terms of visitor demographics, most come from the city itself and surrounding counties and cities. There is also a potential untapped market for the reservoir’s scenic tourism area: the so-called “inner-ring” tourists from the Pearl River Delta urban agglomeration. The “inner-ring” population is large, has high incomes, and owns private cars. With increasing holidays, these conditions create opportunities for travel among these residents. However, due to overdevelopment, the environmental quality of their living areas has severely declined, leaving very limited space for tourism development. All of this inevitably draws people toward the “outer-ring” — the vast rural areas beyond the “inner-ring.” The reservoir scenic area, connected to the Zhen Mountain tourism zone, is bound to benefit from this tourist overflow. By accelerating development and achieving significant breakthroughs in both software and hardware, it could eventually form a new tourism route integrating Zhen Mountain, the reservoir, and Qishi River. Therefore, through extensive promotion to raise the visibility of the reservoir scenic area, there should be foresight and a long-term perspective in enhancing its intangible assets. This will allow more tourists to learn about its latest developments, vividly introduce its scenic spots, stimulate travel motivation, guide travel behavior — and the prospects are optimistic.

Scenic Area Division and Attraction Layout

(1) Main Entrance Scenic Area:

The main entrance scenic area currently features an archway, management offices, and one or two commercial storefronts. Passing through the entrance tree-lined boulevard, on the right side of the road stands a fairly large two-story entertainment center, which can be included in the initial phase of development. On the left is a distinctive summer orange orchard and fishponds. The existing orange orchard and fishponds are planned to be preserved for visitors to taste summer oranges and enjoy fishing. Adjacent to the existing lighted basketball court, a children's playground has been designated. Although there are already some basic facilities, they need to be expanded to meet the recreational needs of children.

(2) Dam Top Viewing Area:

The main dam of the reservoir area is majestic and spectacular. Standing atop the dam offers a bird’s-eye view — on one side, lush green mountains and clear waters stretch out; on the other, the entire reservoir and surrounding farmland scenery can be seen in the distance. It’s truly a scene of “unobstructed views across the vast sky,” lifting one’s spirits and making it hard to leave. The main dam scenic area includes a control tower, a strip-shaped lychee orchard on the hill, a spillway, and a hydrological observation station. Most travelers rarely get to see the functional facilities of a reservoir, so opening them up for viewing can enhance public understanding. Below the dam, a large flat area has been developed with service facilities such as parking lots, restaurants, hotels, recreational centers, and villa zones.

(3) Power Generation Viewing Area:

The power plant in the reservoir area was previously under closed management and houses two generating units. Now, as part of tourism development, it can be opened to visitors. While enjoying the natural scenery, visitors can also learn some basic knowledge about power plants, adding interest to their trip.

(4) Natural Tourism Area:

The natural swimming area is located at the foot of the main dam, near the outlet of the spillway. The swimming area is divided into adult and children’s pools, with the adult pool designed to also serve as a competition venue. Thanks to its good water quality and elegant surroundings, it is expected to attract many visitors.

(5) Jungle Entertainment Area:

The jungle entertainment area is set up on the left side of the top of the main dam. This area features dense pine trees, thick shrubs, and a mountain hollow, making it especially suitable for jungle combat game activities. The so-called “combat game” actually involves using a “gas-powered foam ball launcher” to simulate close-quarters infantry combat through tactics such as attack, counterattack, ambush, and confrontation — a novel recreational activity that is well-suited for young people.

(6) Water Activity Area:

This area is situated within the reservoir, and thanks to its wide expanse of water, it is perfect for various water activities such as speedboats and rowing. Travelers can take a speedboat along the waterways, traveling ten miles to reach Jianglin Township. Along the way, the scenery features green mountains and clear waters, “with blue skies above, green waters below, and verdant mountains on both sides, creating a refreshing and leisurely experience.” The dock is equipped with viewing platforms, boardwalks, landscape ornaments, lighting, and other facilities.

(7) Rural Scenery Area:

This scenic area is located to the side of the main entrance. Here, fields stretch out in all directions, presenting a classic rural landscape. There are well-preserved natural villages with gray-tiled earthen-walled houses arranged in an orderly fashion — typical residences of Sihui locals. The planning preserves the farmland and maintains the existing village and architectural styles. Aside from serving as a sightseeing spot for visitors, it also integrates with the development of ecological farms. This not only increases local farmers’ income but also allows visitors to experience local rural life and customs, gaining deeper insight into Sihui’s history, traditions, and culture.