One hundred thousand mu of lotus flowers

　　    Every summer, hundreds of square kilometers of the Weishan Lake surface burst into a riot of blossoms, filling the air with the fragrance of lotus flowers. From hectares to thousands of hectares, tens of thousands to one hundred thousand mu, in varying sizes, the blooms stretch as far as the eye can see, creating a magnificent spectacle. ?

　　　　        Here, small patches of lotuses are too numerous to mention, but the most spectacular areas number three. The lotus fields stretching from the western part of Weishan Island to Aihu alone cover about one hundred thousand mu, while Liuzhuang and Nanyang towns each have several ten thousand mu. The lotuses are entirely wild, in red and white varieties. The red ones blaze like rosy clouds, while the white ones are pure and elegant. Such vast expanses of lotus fields are rare not only in Shandong Province but also across the country, making this truly a marvel of Weishan Lake. Compared even to West Lake in Hangzhou, celebrated as having “osmanthus blooms for three autumns and lotus flowers for ten miles,” these lotuses stand their ground admirably. No wonder visitors who come to admire the lotuses often add, after the saying “No need to see other mountains after Huangshan, no need to view other waters after Jiuzhaigou,” the praise: “No need to admire other lotuses after Weishan Lake.” ?

　　　　    Lotuses are beloved for their trait of “emerging unsullied from the mud and remaining unstained by the clear ripples,” winning admiration throughout history. Poets and scholars of all dynasties have done their utmost to laud them, with quantities and praises rivaling those for plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum blossoms. For generations, working people have regarded the lotus as a symbol of auspiciousness and purity, associating it with wealth, happiness, and peace. Hence, Buddha and the Goddess of Mercy in temples are depicted seated on lotus thrones, sometimes even clad in lotus garments, while painted child prodigies or leaping koi are often accompanied by lotuses.

　　　　    The cultivation of lotuses in China boasts a long history. Fossilized lotus leaves about ten million years old have been discovered in the Qaidam Basin, while fossilized lotus pollen dating back seven million years was found in Yuyao, Zhejiang. In Zhengzhou, Henan, two carbonized lotus seeds five thousand years old were uncovered. Verses from the Yuefu poetry collection, “In the south one may gather lotus blooms, their leaves so lush and wide,” confirm that lotus cultivation was already quite common during the Jin and Northern and Southern Dynasties.

　　　　    Appreciating lotuses also has a history of over two thousand years. The “Li Sao” contains the famous line: “I pluck the water caltrops and lotus leaves to weave a coat, and gather the lotus blooms to fashion a robe.” Whole lotus flower pottery plates have existed since ancient times. The “Wu Jun Ji” records: “The Lotus Pond lies outside the Fen Gate; on the 24th day of the sixth lunar month, the crowd of boat-goers is at its peak, with painted pleasure boats gathering like clouds.” Thus, the 24th day of the sixth lunar month was traditionally celebrated as the “Lotus Festival” or “Lotus Birthday.”

　　　　    The lotuses of Weishan Lake emerged along with the lake’s formation during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. The lotus species in the lake are uniform and not artificially cultivated. They have always grown and perished naturally. Due to the depth of the water and lack of proper tools for harvesting, tens of millions of pounds of lotus roots rot underwater each year. Fishermen in the Weishan Lake region also regard the lotus as a life-saving and sacred flower. Legend has it that long ago, the area frequently suffered from floods, locust plagues, unstable water levels, and poor fishing yields. Crops along the shores were either washed away or devoured by locusts, resulting in total crop failure. Starving people had eaten nearly all the aquatic plants in the lake, and many began to suffer from edema and bloody stools. One day, a green jade hairpin floated onto the lake’s surface; wherever it drifted, green leaves sprouted and red blossoms stood tall. Initially, the hungry tried eating the lotus, then moved on to peeling the seeds and digging out the roots to survive. Within days, their swelling subsided and the bleeding stopped. After the famine, people stopped eating the seeds and roots. The lotuses proliferated, and people not only consumed them but also began to admire them. Thus, the lotus came to be revered as both a sacred and life-saving flower. It’s easy to imagine how deeply the local people feel about the lotus. Even today, their reverence and love for the flower remain as strong as ever—if a “county flower” were to be chosen, the lotus would undoubtedly be the rightful choice for Weishan County. ?

　　　　    With improved living standards and the development of tourism, in recent years a “lotus viewing craze” on the lake has emerged. Weishan County has also specifically built and expanded supporting tourist facilities—lakeside docks, Aihu Dock, Wanghu Tower, Guanhe Pavilion, and more—allowing visitors to stay comfortably, dine on fresh delicacies, and enjoy themselves to the fullest. ?

　　　　    There are four routes to enter the lake for lotus viewing from the county seat of Xiazhen: one is to take a boat from the West City Dock, go downstream along the canal for over ten li, bypass Aihu Port, and then enter the scenic area; another is to drive from the county town to Aihu, leave the vehicle, board a boat and head east—before long you’ll reach the lotus fields; the other two involve driving to Liuzhuang and Nanyang, where tens of thousands of mu of lotuses await you. ?

　　    From early summer when “tiny lotus leaves just show their pointed tips” to late autumn when “the lotus has withered, its rain-shielding leaves gone,” the period for enjoying lotuses on Weishan Lake lasts up to four months. You can observe the various graceful forms of the lotuses throughout their growth cycle. ?

　　　　    In early summer, among the thousands of hectares of blue waves, the lotus leaves lie like jade plates floating on the water’s surface, lush and dripping with green. New lotus buds strain to push their pointed tips above the surface, like torches about to ignite. And beneath the clear water, lotus shoots stir, stems growing in competition. Rowing among the lotuses, you can hear the faint “squeaking” sound of young shoots growing. The lotus fields are easily navigable by boat; the water is clear, the lotuses green, giving off an atmosphere of peace and comfort. ?

　　　　    Midsummer is the peak season when lotuses vie in beauty. Gazing across the one hundred thousand mu of lotus fields, reds splash and greens flow, layer upon layer like embroidered brocade. Lotus stems as thick as thumbs hold up huge leaves over a meter in diameter, while oversized lotus blossoms tower above human height, their blooms held high. Graceful lotus pods sway in the breeze. Even more delightful are the beautiful dancing angels—the butterflies fluttering gracefully among the blossoms; bees that “sip the dew of lotus in the morning and sleep among the petals at dusk” buzz incessantly as they gather nectar; dragonflies of all colors native to the lake hover delicately atop lotus tips or dip their tails lightly on the water’s surface; fish in the water leap up from time to time, splashing clusters of droplets, or even “plop” onto the lotus leaves before bouncing back into the water... a vivid, living painting of frolicking with the lotuses. ?

　　　　    When boating on the lake, if faced with scorching sun, simply turn a lotus leaf upside down and wear it as a hat to block the sun and refresh yourself. Even if a fierce storm suddenly brews with pouring rain, there's no need to worry. No matter how the weather changes, as long as you’re within the lotus fields, you’ll remain safe. This is not surprising, as the lotus fields are vast, densely packed with lotuses forming a massive screen that thoroughly shields the lake surface—no storm, no matter how strong, can raise waves here. The thick, large lotus leaves act like umbrellas; visitors can hide beneath them to enjoy the views of the lotus fields in wind and rain: when the wind howls, the lotus leaves flap, and the green expanse shifts between silver ribbons and green silk in motion, like a grand dance performance; when misty drizzle sprinkles the leaves, a rustling sound like silkworms chewing can be heard; when torrential rain pours, water droplets splash and lotus leaves shimmer, with glistening beads hitting the leaves and making a deep “crackling” sound, like the clamor of a battlefield with thousands of charging troops. Once the wind dies and rain clears, the lotus leaves become even greener and more dazzling, the blossoms redder and more striking. The air is filled with a faint fragrance, and even scooped lake water carries the scent of lotus. Having weathered the storm, the lotus fields become even more breathtakingly beautiful. ?

　　　　    If you’re in the mood and the weather is fair, why not bring a sketchpad and wander among the lotuses to paint? It’s truly indescribably wonderful. Fishing among the lotuses requires no long lines—just gently cast your hook where the lotuses “move” and fish “scatter,” and you’ll have a catch at your fingertips, a delightful experience. If you’re a good diver, you can even dive underwater to harvest the lotus roots beneath the blossoms, though you’ll need to brave the “prickles.” Or, if you carry a camera into the lake to take photos, picturesque scenes abound. After admiring the lotuses, you can pick a few budding lotus stems to place in a vase on your desk—they’ll fill your room with fragrance in just a few days. Pluck a single lotus petal to make an exquisite bookmark as a memento of your lotus-viewing experience. ?

　　　　    In late autumn, the lotuses shed their green and gradually turn yellow. The entire lotus field shimmers golden, with sparse blossoms and fallen petals often drifting on the water’s surface, stirred by the autumn wind. At this time, the most eye-catching sights in the lotus fields are the dense, upright lotus pods. Boating through the fields, you’ll often hear the dry, old pods “crack” as they tumble into the boat. Leaning over the water, you can also gather autumn water chestnuts, experiencing the joy of harvest. And there are the lotus-picking girls, dressed in colorful clothes, singing and dancing as they gather. The “Lotus-Picking Song” drifts on the breeze along with the fragrance of the lotuses: ?

　　　　    The lotus boat floats atop the waves, parting the blossoms to watch fish leap. Picking pods above and chestnuts below, the new boat bed fills with green agates. The fisherman’s daughter, a blossom among flowers, ?

　　　　    The lad on the lake, a dragon in the water, builds a bridge with his heart, and paves a path with his song. ?... ?

　　    In recent years, to make the lake even more beautiful, Weishan County has strengthened the management and artificial cultivation of lotuses in the main lake as well as in rice paddies and ponds, while also introducing fine varieties such as Xianglian, Bailian, Meiren Hong, and Liuyue Bao. The area of lotuses in the lake region continues to expand, and the situation of lotuses growing and perishing naturally will gradually improve. The lotuses of Weishan Lake will shine even more brilliantly.