Daye Lake

　　 Daye Lake is located in the southeastern part of Daye City and was historically known as Yuan Lake or Jin Lake. Daye Lake is a treasure trove—its lakebed and surrounding areas are rich in gold deposits. In ancient times, there were gold panning wells in the lake, from which the name “Jin Lake” (Gold Lake) evolved. In ancient times, it was an inland river that flowed from west to east, traversing the central hinterland of Daye City before joining the Yangtze River. Later, due to siltation at the riverbed and widening of the channel, it formed into an elongated lake. According to the Daye County Annals of the Qing Dynasty’s Guangxu era: “Yuan Lake originates from the foot of Ming Mountain, winds west to east, and exits at Yuan Kou, spanning about 120 li.” It also states: “In spring and summer, it becomes a vast lake, stretching far and wide, connecting with the blue sky; in autumn and winter, it turns into a winding waterway, with its source unclear.” This describes the geographical features of Daye Lake.

　　 Daye Lake borders Yangxin to the south and Daye to the north, covering a catchment area of 1,106 square kilometers and a water surface of 135,258 mu. It is a geological lake formed by the connection of 25 large and small lakes under the jurisdiction of Daye and Yangxin, creating an excellent natural fishery. The lakebed elevation slopes from west to east: Xiayuan Lake in the west is at 14.6 meters, Leishan Lake in the middle at 13.5 meters, and Yuan Lake in the east at 11 meters. Its water mainly comes from rainfall, and during dry years, water is diverted from the Yangtze River to replenish the lake. The flood season runs from May to September each year. In 1954, the highest water level recorded was 25.4 meters, and in 1963, the lowest was 11.3 meters, with an average level of around 16 meters. Water storage capacity ranges from 0.5 billion to 2 billion cubic meters.

　　 Legend has it that at Jinjingzui (Golden Well Mouth), there is a bottomless well whose waters can be drawn endlessly. On New Year's Eve each year, the bright moon can be seen reflected from the bottom of the well. People believed it to be a magical well and came to use its water for gold panning. It is said that Tieguaili, one of the Eight Immortals, lived in Desheng Bay of Tieshan in Daye and would bathe in Jin Lake every day, which made his body glow with golden light. The True Martial Emperor practiced for many years on Mount Wudang without attaining immortality. Later, taken by Li Tieguai to Jin Lake in Daye, he used gold panned from the lake to forge a golden pestle. Originally intending to grind it into a sewing needle, he instead transformed it into a demon-subduing club during a battle to save the people. The local folklore is also unique. Every year on the 18th day of the fifth lunar month, a Dragon Boat Festival is held. From April onwards, paper dragon boats over ten feet long are made and decorated with statues of Qu Yuan, the Three-Liu Scholar, along with clothing, accessories, colorful silk fabrics, and silver ingots. Before the Dragon Boat Festival, various paper-crafted treasures are displayed for visitors from afar. Families set up wine stalls along the streets for public enjoyment, celebrating joyfully through the night. Later, the Dragon Boat Race on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month became popular to commemorate the great patriotic poet Qu Yuan, evolving into a nationwide sporting event.

　　 Daye City is located on the northern edge of the Mufu Mountain Range, within the hills of southeastern Hubei, historically known as “embracing mountains and rivers, a secluded junction of lakes and waterways.” In the pre-Qin period, it was part of the hunting grounds southeast of the ancient Yunmeng Marsh. The mighty Yangtze River rushes past the northern edge of the city, while the waters of Daye Lake flow gently in the southeastern part. In ancient times, without dikes or sluice gates, whenever floods occurred, the lakes and rivers merged, turning the urban area of Daye into a peninsula surrounded by water on three sides. The famous Ming Dynasty poet and writer Yuan Hongdao once wrote: “A thousand mountains reflect on the calm lake, and the city stands atop the rippling waters.” Frequent flooding led to many heroic stories of the people of Daye fighting against the waters. A winding dike about two kilometers long, from Kengtoujian in southern Daye City to Hailuo Mountain, resembles a water dragon lying across the lake. This is the Guafu Dike (Widows’ Dike), the main road connecting Daye to Yangxin. The Guafu Dike stands as a testament to the laboring people’s struggle against the floods. Originally, this location had only a winding, narrow path: “When the water recedes, there is a path; when it rises, there is a ferry.” During flood season, the path would be submerged, and travelers had to rely on wooden boats to cross, often leading to drownings. During the Qianlong era, Ko Cao-shi, a widow from Yongzhangli (now part of Dajipu Town in Daye City), lost her only grandson—a scholar who depended on her—for whom she cared, to drowning. The grandmother and grandson became widowed due to the lake’s wrath. In deep sorrow, they sold all their possessions and raised donations from the community. Villagers contributed labor and materials to build the embankment, which included two stone bridges to facilitate drainage and boat passage. To honor the widows’ contribution, locals named the embankment Guafu Dike. After the catastrophic flood of 1954, the government invested in its reconstruction, paving the road, reinforcing slopes, building a large bridge, and planting protective forests. Today’s Guafu Dike is a broad highway lined with shady trees, bustling shops, and a constant flow of pedestrians and vehicles. In 1970, the entire county of Daye spent three years constructing the Daye Lake Sluice at the foot of Sigushan Mountain. The sluice has four openings, is 40 meters long, 23.2 meters high, with each opening being 6 meters wide and 6 meters tall, and operates electrically. When the inner and outer water levels submerge the arch and the water level difference reaches 0.2 meters, the discharge rate is 300 m³/s, covering a catchment area of 185 square kilometers at 21 meters. Simultaneously, the Daye Lake Drainage Pumping Station was built, benefiting 132,000 mu, equipped with six pumping units totaling 9,600 kilowatts capacity, each discharging 20–28 m³/s. Multiple additional pumping stations for drought relief and drainage were constructed in the lake area. Channels crisscross the reclaimed land, and enclosed netting covers over 50,000 mu of water surface, focusing on grain and fish farming, complemented by forestry and animal husbandry. Both shores of the lake have become true land of fish and rice. In 1998, the Siguzha Ship Lock was completed and the waterway dredged, integrating navigation, flood control, and irrigation. Ships of up to 300 tons can travel from the Daye Lake dock via the Yangtze River to various ports. A snail sedimentation tank was built in the lock chamber outlet channel to treat pollution. As a mining area, Daye once discharged wastewater and slag into the lake. In 1978, the Environmental Protection Bureau was established, along with monitoring stations in relevant towns, factories, and mines, initiating environmental governance. Based on the principle of “the polluter pays,” pollution sources were controlled, and businesses with severe and hard-to-treat pollution were shut down, merged, or restructured.

　　 Daye has a subtropical climate with abundant plankton and natural food sources in its waters, making it suitable for fish and algae growth. It produces abundant fish and shrimp, with wheat-ear fish being a local specialty. Folklore also says: “The green mandarin fish of East Lake (Daye Lake) and the bream of West Lake (Bao’an Lake) offer the freshest tastes in the world; if you encounter a black-backed crucian carp, even the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother would drool.” This shows that the black-back crucian carp, along with the mandarin fish, mandarin perch, and bream (Wuchang fish) of Daye, are top-quality fish. Several towns, subdistricts, farms, nine civilian polders, and 420,000 residents in the lake area have long enjoyed eating lotus, water chestnut, water caltrop, artemisia, and yellow fruit. Aquatic economic plants are now cultivated artificially, and large-scale fish farms operate with scaled production, integrated with agricultural industrialization.

　　 By Daye Lake, construction of Qinglongshan Park began in 1983 and was redesigned in 2004. The scenic spots embrace the hills and surround the lake, with pavilions set against the mountains and terraces built near the water, all embraced by verdant peaks and surrounded by azure waters. Numerous attractions are scattered throughout, including Zhan Yue Tower, Zhan Yue Hotel, Longtan Bridge, Ting Yue Pavilion, Qixia Corridor, Xizhao Pavilion, Zhu Bo Pavilion, Guaying Pavilion, and Xixia Pavilion. Among them stands the “Guyuan Pavilion,” jointly built by fellow townsmen residing in Beijing. Taking a rest here, visitors can look down at the Shimen, climb the steps to Wanghu Pavilion, and gaze upon the picturesque landscape of green mountains and clear waters, adorned with painted pleasure boats. To the south lies Qingyun Steps, a nine-story pagoda towering into the clouds; the sound of bells from Huayan Temple rings in the ears. At the summit of Fengshan Mountain stands Jisi Pavilion, an octagonal two-story structure with glazed tiles. From its heights, a vibrant array of blooming plants and flowers greet the eye—earning it the name Flower-Viewing Pavilion. This pavilion was donated by Mr. Xu Zhaoxiang, a Taiwan compatriot from Daye, during his hometown visit to express longing for family and roots. To commemorate his deep nostalgia, it was named “Jisi Pavilion” (Longing Pavilion). On Qinglongshan and at its base, stands the Revolutionary Martyrs’ Monument reaching into the clouds, and a bronze statue of Wu Xiuquan stands by the lake, making it a patriotic education base for Daye. On a clear, moonlit night, ascending Qinglongshan and overlooking the night view of Jin Lake, with its vast waters reflecting the surrounding mountains, the shimmering ripples and swaying shadows create a breathtaking scene. A full moon, like a purple-gold plate, emerges from the water, gently dancing on the sparkling waves—this is the marvelous spectacle behind one of Daye’s Eight Scenic Views: “Golden Lake Reflecting the Moon.” Traveling eastward along the lake leads to the newly built Yinjia Lake Sunshine Beach Recreation Center, covering over 50 mu, designed in Japanese style with sandy beaches and palm trees resembling seaside scenery. The outdoor area includes beach volleyball, swimming pools, and children’s play areas; indoors, there are large saunas, wellness rooms, music teahouses, gyms, and buffet restaurants—an ideal leisure destination. At the tail end of Qinglongshan and by the side of Zhan Yue Bridge lies the Bronze Culture Square, covering over 60 mu, nestled between mountain and lake, exuding grandeur. It showcases and reflects the profound bronze culture of Daye. The Bronze Culture Wall and white jade nine-dragon pillars of the square rise majestically through the mist; bronze and stone sculptures display various forms, blending seamlessly with the Qinglongshan Pagoda and Qinglongshan Park. To the south, facing the lake, the Century Forest is planted with hundreds of fine tree species such as camphor, Albizia, osmanthus, and magnolia, coexisting harmoniously in an elegant garden setting.

　　 By Daye Lake, there are also the 300,000-year-old Shilongtou Paleolithic Human Activity Site, the 3,000-year-old Tonglushan Ancient Copper Mine Site, Shang-Zhou human settlements, and the ancient city ruins of Dayu and Chuwang from the Eastern Zhou period. The Tonglushan Ancient Mining and Metallurgy Museum is built atop Tonglushan Mountain. Beside the museum building, massive rocks stand tall, and after rain, copperweed flowers—like tiny snowflakes or beans—still dot the rocks, shining brilliantly and dazzlingly.

　　 Daye Lake, with its beautiful lake and mountain scenery, moving historical legends, rich metal mineral resources, and the grand scenes of ancient mining and smelting, attracts millions of tourists, making tourism very prosperous. Daye Lake is magical and wonderful—it is the pearl of Daye and a jewel among Hubei’s myriad lakes.