Linghu Lake

　　About two li past Wutai New Village, turn right to reach Linghu Village. The 1808 *Wuxuan County Annals* from the 13th year of the Jiaqing reign in the Qing Dynasty records: “Linghu Lake is located twenty li east of the county. Its waters are clear, sourced from underground springs that never dry up throughout the seasons. It is adorned with duckweed and red lotus flowers. The lake is surrounded by lush green willows, and three ancient pine trees, several hundred years old, stand twisted and verdant, reaching toward the sky. When wind and rain arrive together, sounds seem to arise from heaven, like the roar of waves. This is what the county’s Eight Scenic Spots refers to as ‘Pine Whispers at Linghu.’” Linghu Lake is also famous for the beautiful scenery where the Linghu Bridge and its reflection merge, resembling a full moon. Another notable view is “Autumn Moon over Linghu.”

　　“Autumn Moon over Linghu” is located southeast of Linghu Village in Sanli Town, Wuxuan County. It spans a bluestone arch bridge over the Sanli River (also called Yin River), known as the “Dalinqiao” or “Linghu Bridge.” The bridge is about a hundred meters from Linghu Lake, complementing it beautifully. Linghu Lake is a spring-fed lake with mirror-like water that flows out to irrigate the fields of Taicun. The lake is 250 meters long and 100 meters wide, with a normal water depth of around 2 meters and a maximum depth of 3 meters. In ancient times, it was surrounded by duckweed, red lotus, reeds, and other lush aquatic plants, and frequently hosted wild ducks and moorhens. The lakeshore was once shaded by towering ancient pines, set against a vast, picturesque pastoral backdrop. This formed one of Wuxuan’s Eight Historic Scenic Spots, known as “Pine Whispers at Linghu.” Many literati and poets throughout history have composed verses praising it. For example, Su Mindé wrote: “Just as I am enthralled by the lake’s charm, suddenly I hear the pine whispers echoing under the blue sky. A few sounds drift back and forth—could they be the dragon’s flute and phoenix’s horn? No, it must be the pine and the lake conversing!” Another poem goes: “Under the ancient pines by Linghu Lake, one can hear the pine’s whisper through the ages.” (Written by Qing Dynasty scholars Wang Yuanqi and Lin Tingzhen during their stay here.)