Prince's Shoal and Empress's Shoal

Prince's Shoal and Empress's Shoal

Prince's Shoal and Empress's Shoal

Prince's Shoal is located in Longkou Town, at the southernmost tip of Jungar Banner, where the borders of Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, and Shaanxi meet. It is a midstream island in the Yellow River, situated right in the middle of the river channel, covering an area of about 108 mu. From afar, it looks like a massive vessel on the open river. The shoal features hot springs, from which steam rises vigorously, steaming hot to the touch, while the Yellow River flows gently on both sides, offering a vast and magnificent view. Opposite Prince's Shoal lies another island called Empress's Shoal, which belongs to Hequ County in Shanxi Province.

Empress's Shoal complements Prince's Shoal, being one of only two small islands in the Yellow River channel. The two shoals resemble two emeralds set in the golden necklace that is the Yellow River. The legends surrounding Prince's Shoal and Empress's Shoal are also widely renowned. It is said that after Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, passed away, Empress Lü seized power. Liu Heng, the King of Dai, and his mother, Empress Dowager Bo, fled here to escape Empress Lü’s persecution. They found two isolated islands in the Yellow River with excellent feng shui, and settled on them respectively. Hence, the islands became known as “Prince's Shoal” and “Empress's Shoal.”