Tianjin Cuiping Lake Yuqiao Reservoir

　　Cuiping Lake in Jixian County, also known as Yuqiao Reservoir in Jixian, was built in 1958 and named after the nearby Cuiping Mountain to the south. Located 4 kilometers east of Jixian County in Tianjin, Yuqiao Reservoir is an important part of the Luan River-to-Tianjin Water Diversion Project and one of the key projects for harnessing the Ji Canal. The lake has a vast surface area, approximately 8 kilometers wide from north to south and 35 kilometers long from east to west. From atop Cuiping Mountain, one can gaze over the misty, boundless waters blending seamlessly with the sky. Boating on the lake, you’ll see seagulls soaring and fish darting to and fro. The southern shore of Cuiping Lake boasts grape-laden vines and gardens full of flowers and fruit, while the western bank features a long dike lined with green trees against the backdrop of distant ink-blue mountains. The lake is abundant in fish and shrimp, especially the renowned Golden Fin Carp. According to the Jixian County Annals, “Carp from the Ji Canal all have golden scales and reddish tails.” This “Imperial Carp,” once served as tribute to emperors, has now become a delicacy enjoyed by everyday visitors. The high-quality waters of Cuiping Lake are home to over 120 species of birds. Every early April, the number of waterfowl can exceed 20,000, including eight species of rare birds under national protection such as the whooper swan, white stork, and great egret.

　　Blue skies, clear waters, shimmering lake light, and mountain hues form a true depiction of the Cuiping Lake scenic area. Cuiping Lake is like a gleaming mirror nestled among the mountains east of Jixian County in Tianjin. Climbing to the mountaintop by the lake and looking down, you’ll see the waters blend with the horizon, fishing boats dotting the surface, sunlight glinting on the waves, and seagulls soaring about. The verdant peaks to the north and south stand in distant echo, their shadows playfully reflected on the water—an idyllic scene made all the more refreshing by the gentle breeze.

　　The lakeside dam on the western bank serves as a convenient spot for city dwellers to view the lake. Stretching five li from north to south, the majestic dam lies like a giant dragon reclining on the western side of the lake. It connects Phoenix Mountain in the north to Cuiping Mountain in the south, evoking the grandeur of a “turtle and snake locking the great river.” Today, the dam is lined with lamps and shaded by tree-lined pavilions, while lush green grass thrives outside and deep blue waters lie within. A newly built cruise dock and a series of classical pavilions welcome visitors from afar.

　　Standing atop the dam and looking eastward, one sees the endless lake stretching into the distance, hazy and misty, as if merging with the very edge of the sky. Further off, leisurely clouds change shapes effortlessly, casually keeping the water company. Looking down, waves lap the shore, splashing pearls and jades of spray as if trying in vain to break through the embankment and escape the lake area. If you’re there at sunrise, the sun appears to leap wetly onto the water, its glow racing swiftly across the lake surface. The surging waves of Cuiping Lake suddenly resemble a bubbling pot cooking up a delicious egg-drop soup—so vivid it makes you want to take a sip.

　　Cuiping Lake has created numerous islands and peninsulas. Fish Leaping Isle, located in the northwest of the lake, stretches one li from north to south and half a li from east to west. Shaped like a carp with its back arched, it rests peacefully on the water. Today, the island is planted with tens of thousands of fruit trees, making it a famous floating orchard. The Cuiping Peninsula lies on the southern central shore of the lake, formed by the extension of a southern mountain range. It is home to the Tianjin Cuiping Lake Science Park, boasting a beautiful environment and pleasant scenery.

　　Traveling along the 20-kilometer east-west lakeside loop road on the southern bank is like strolling through a winding picture gallery. Along the way, you’ll find willows gently swaying, bridges spanning streams, and the road meandering along the contours of the mountains and water with countless twists and turns, offering an endless array of captivating views. The surrounding villages can be called either mountain hamlets or water fishing towns. To the south of the road lie mountains, to the north, the lake. The southern hills are lush and emerald green, their slopes blooming like brocades, fruit-laden branches hanging low, and thickets of shrubs thriving. The northern lake is vast, with gentle waves lapping the shore, abundant aquatic plants along the banks, and expansive shoals. Here, you can go uphill to gather mushrooms and wood ear fungus, or head out on the lake to catch fish, snails, shrimp, and crabs. Venture into the forests to admire rocks and birds, seeking hidden delights; or go boating on the lake, playing in the water and enjoying the wind and waves. Where the mountains jut into the lake, they form peninsulas; where the lake reaches into the embrace of the hills, it creates bays. Atop the peninsulas, houses and trees are built, with tiled roofs and cooking smoke drifting lazily, reminiscent of eastern Shandong style; on the bays, boats lie moored, nets are cast, and fishing rods are poised—like scenes straight from a coastal village. Driving along the road, you’ll sometimes plunge into the heart of the mountains, where only shadows are seen and no sounds of water are heard; other times you’ll reach what seems like the edge of the world, cliffs beside the lake, where the expanse of water brings a sense of boundless openness. Such enchanting scenery unfolds along the dozens of kilometers of this route.

　　Along the shores of Cuiping Lake, there are also many famous mountains and ancient temples. Cuiping Mountain and Phoenix Mountain stand to the south and north respectively, guarding the western dam of the lake. Cuiping Mountain is specially described in the classic novel “Water Margin,” and legends such as “Yang Xiong Kills His Wife” and “Shi Xiu Eliminates the Bully” are still widely told. The mountain is home to the ruins of the Temple of the Eastern Peak, the Heavenly Emperor of Mount Tai, from which Cuiping Lake gets its name. Phoenix Mountain is so named because it resembles a phoenix in shape. Towering pines on the mountain spread like umbrellas. There are also ruins of the Temple of Guan Yu, and historical records indicate nearby sites such as where Zhao Pu, chancellor of Emperor Taizu of Song Zhao Kuangyin, studied, and the former residence of Dou Yu-zhu, known for his teachings on parenting, referenced in the “Three Character Classic.” On the Fu Mountain in the southeast of Cuiping Lake, a lone pagoda decorates the landscape between the mountain and water. This octagonal, dense-eave brick pagoda stands over ten meters tall, originally built during the Liao Dynasty and renovated in successive eras. Though the spire has collapsed, its majestic aura remains undimmed. On the northern shore of Cuiping Lake, Peach Blossom Temple still has visible ruins. The temple gained its name from the especially vibrant and early-blooming peach blossoms. The founding date is unclear, but in the 8th year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty, a royal villa was constructed here, and a mountain spring near the temple still flows continuously. The emperor was captivated by the landscape here, particularly the allure of the Cuiping Lake area.

　　Cuiping Lake is surrounded by hundreds of miles of natural and cultural landscapes that are beyond words to fully describe—you must come and experience them firsthand to appreciate her graceful charm!

　　Scenic Location

　　East of Jixian County