Liangzi Lake

( chinadaily.com.cn )

Updated: 2011-12-08

Liangzi Lake is the second largest fresh water lake in Hubei province. (photo from nipic.com)

Liangzi Lake is a winding freshwater lake located in southeast Hubei province, in the southern bank of the middle reaches of Yangtze River. The lake is 304.3 square kilometers, with a drainage area of 3,265 square kilometers, an elevation of 20 meters, 31.7 km length and mean width of 9.6 km.

Liangzi Lake, one of the top 10 lakes of the country, is the second largest fresh water lake in Hubei province and home to Wuchang breams and popular big river mitten crabs.

It is home to Wuchang breams and popular big river mitten crabs. (photo from nipic.com)

Within a 50 kilometer radius of the lake are four cities of different sizes: Wuhan, Huangshi, Ezhou and Xianning. Liangzi Lake is the natural “emerald” center for the surrounding cities.

Jiangxia district owns 65 percent of Liangzi Lake, the largest aquatic product cultivation base of the province.

Liangzi Lake is famous for the quality of its water, which has been declared the acme of perfection.

Liangzi Lake is famous for the quality of its water, which has been declared the acme of perfection. (photo from nipic.com)

The lake has four characteristics:

First, it is “clean”. The water is very clean and pure. Bright sunshine and gentle breeze bring out the clearness of the water. It appears green with the reflection of the sky and the sunshine makes glistening waves.

Second, it is “beautiful.” There is harmony as the lake and mountain connect, water and sky join, green waves and white sailing boats mingle. As the saying goes, “water, mountain, lots of boats, and carefree seagulls make a grandiose scene”.

Third, the lake is “spacious”. The area covers 300 square kilometers during drought and can reach up to 700 to 800 square kilometers in its flood season.

Fourth, it is “marvelous”. There is an island in the lake, a lake on the island, and another island in the middle of the lake, all of which vary in gradation.

(photo from nipic.com)

Liangzi Lake was originally known as the “Mother and Son’s Lake”. The legend goes that one thousand years ago, the place was under the administration of Gaotang county. A crustal movement turned it into a world of water. On the eve that the land was about to subside, Meng Hongyu and Liu Runhu, mother and son, caught sight of an omen. They went to inform fellow villagers to leave. They ran to the mountain. Soon afterwards, the sky turned murky over the dark earth. Sand and stones flew. Rain came down in sheets. Hills fell and earth gave away. Gaotang county seat sank in the blink of an eye and turned into a big lake. The villagers avoided the disaster and survived. Grateful to the mother and son for delivering the message, the local people named the lake Mother and Son’s Lake.

Liangzi Lake was originally known as the “Mother and Son’s Lake”. (photo from nipic.com)

An islet of lush trees is set in the center of the lake, looks like a gracefully erect lotus leaf floating on the water. Thus, the islet is also known as lotus leaf islet. The tiny islet, resembling a shoe, has an area of three square kilometers. It is known as a land of idyllic beauty. The islet has a temperate climate and lush trees. Hailed as an islet of longevity, it is free of air, water, and noise pollution.

The foreign invested Hubei Liangzi Lake International Golf Club has opened its training grounds to the public. It is to be built into the only light golf course in central and southern China.

An islet of lush trees is set in the center of the lake, looks like a gracefully erect lotus leaf floating on the water. (photo from nipic.com)

Liangzi Lake International Golf Club (photo from nipic.com)