Qiandao Lake, located in Chun'an County, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, is one of the lakes with the most islands in the world. It is also one of the first batch of national scenic spots and a national 5A-level tourist attraction. Formed by the construction of the Xin'anjiang Hydropower Station, it is world-renowned for its unique landscape of "thousands of islands, beautiful waters, and a golden belt of water." Qiandao Lake is not only a stunning tourist destination but also an important strategic water source for the Yangtze River Delta region.
The Most Beautiful Water Under Heaven
Qiandao Lake's greatest highlight lies in its exceptionally high-quality water. The water quality has consistently met the national Class I water standard, making it directly drinkable. The lake water is crystal clear, with visibility reaching up to 12 meters. It is precisely this purity that has given rise to the nationally renowned "Qiandao Lake" fish head and Nongfu Spring mineral water (which has a water source in Qiandao Lake).
A Thousand Islands, Each with Its Own Shape and Form
The islands in the lake vary in size and shape, clustered together like stars surrounding the moon, or scattered seemingly disconnected yet connected. Looking out over the lake, the green mountains and clear waters, dotted with islands, create a unique scene of "a thousand islands, clear water, and a golden belt" (the ring of yellow soil exposed below the waterline around the islands resembles a golden belt).
Central Lake Area and Southeast Lake Area
Qiandao Lake tourism is generally divided into two core areas:
Central Lake Area: Developed earlier and with mature facilities, it is the first choice for most tourists.
Meifeng Island: The core of the core. There's a saying: "Without climbing Meifeng Island to view the islands, one cannot truly appreciate the beauty of Qiandao Lake." Climbing to the Meifeng viewing platform offers panoramic views of over 300 islands of varying sizes, making it the best spot for a complete view of Qiandao Lake.
**Fisherman's Island:** Primarily for water sports and dining, where you can savor authentic Qiandao Lake fish head soup.
**Moonlight Island:** Composed of several small islands connected by floating bridges, this love-themed area is perfect for couples.
**Southeast Lake Area:** Offers more pristine and tranquil natural scenery, with more beautiful islands.
**Huangshan Peak:** A scenic spot on par with Meifeng Island. From the summit, the numerous islands form a natural "天下为公" (All Under Heaven Belongs to the People) character, with the "公" (public) character being particularly clear, a truly breathtaking sight.
**Tianchi Island:** Primarily for observing fish and birds, it features the remains of a Southern Song Dynasty quarry and a bird park.
**Osmanthus Island:** Named for the abundance of wild osmanthus trees on the island, it's also a classic monkey island.
Underwater Ancient City (Mysterious Legend)
Beneath Qiandao Lake lies a thousand-year-old ancient city—Lion City (formerly Sui'an County). In 1959, the Xin'an River was dammed, and the ancient cities of Lion City and He City, along with 49 surrounding towns, sank to the bottom of the lake. Remarkably, due to the lake's immersion, the ancient city was perfectly preserved. Today, through diving exploration and underwater photography, the mystery of this "Oriental Atlantis" is gradually being unveiled. Visitors can learn about its former appearance through the Wenyuan Lion City Scenic Area.
Cycling Around the Lake
Qiandao Lake boasts Zhejiang Province's most beautiful highway—the Qianfen Highway. This highway runs along the lake and features a dedicated cycling greenway, approximately 140 kilometers long. The scenery along the way is picturesque, passing through tunnels and crossing bridges, with green mountains on one side and clear water on the other—a paradise for cycling enthusiasts.
Chun'an Cuisine
Qiandao Lake Fish Head: A must-try delicacy when visiting Qiandao Lake. The bighead carp here are large and plump, and can be cooked in various ways, such as in white broth, braised, or with chopped chili peppers. The white broth fish head, in particular, is milky white and incredibly delicious.
Chun'an Rice Porridge: A local specialty snack, made by grinding rice, chili peppers, and other ingredients into a paste and simmering it, giving it a unique texture.
Hawthorn Walnuts: Chun'an is an important production area for awthorn walnuts, which are fragrant, crunchy, and delicious.
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Voltage and socket
The standard voltage in China is 220V. The commonly used socket shape is as shown in the picture. Most luxury hotel rooms are equipped with universal sockets, and tourists can also rent socket adapters at the hotel front desk.
Make a phone call
When a foreign mobile phone dials a Chinese fixed-line phone in China, it is necessary to dial the China area code (+86) and the city area code (e.g. Beijing +10) before the fixed-line phone number to be dialed.
When a foreign mobile phone dials a Chinese mobile number, it is necessary to dial the Chinese area code (+86) before the mobile number of the person being called.
Emergency call:
Call the police: 110
Fire emergency: 119
Traffic police: 122
Emergency: 120
Purchase a SIM card for a Chinese mobile phone
At major airports serving as ports of entry in China, there are designated counters for communication service providers, such as China Mobile and China Unicom. Foreign tourists can purchase SIM cards for Chinese mobile phones simply by presenting their passports.
Traffic safety tips
In China, all vehicles drive on the right side of the road, and both drivers and passengers must wear seat belts.
Health and medical tips
It is recommended to bring along commonly used medications (such as painkillers or gastrointestinal medications). If you need to take prescribed medication for an extended period, it is advisable to prepare sufficient quantities before departure and carry along doctor's certification documents, medical records, etc.
It is recommended to visit the international medical department of a general hospital or a foreign-funded hospital for treatment, as they generally provide medical services in English.
It is recommended to purchase relevant insurance before departure, and properly keep diagnosis certificates, outpatient medical records, fee lists, prescriptions, invoices, etc.
Cultural taboo
China is a multi-ethnic country, and there are significant differences in customs and habits among various ethnic groups. Especially when traveling in ethnic minority areas, it is important to pay attention to cultural taboos, such as taking off shoes when entering a Dai bamboo house, avoiding pork in Hui restaurants, and treating Buddhist statues, scriptures, and beads as sacred objects that must not be touched. It is recommended to listen carefully to the pre-trip introduction provided by the accompanying personnel and respect local culture and customs.
