（千岛湖）

Qiandao Lake（千岛湖）

The Fuchun River-Xin’an River-Qiandao Lake scenic area is a picturesque waterway. As long as 300 kilometers, it covers more than 1100 square kilometers. With numerous tourist attractions, its scenery is especially enchanting.

The Xin’an River is in the upper reaches of the Qiantang River, flowing through cities like Chun’an and Jiande. Flanked by a thick forest of trees, the clear river, with many shoals and rapids, winds its way through hilly areas. It is blocked by a big dam within Jiande —— the dam for the Xin’an River reservoir and power station. The reservoir boasts 1078 islets; hence the name 1000-Islet (Qiandao) Lake. This 573-square-kilometer lake, over 100 meters in depth, is 109 times the size of the West Lake in Hangzhou.

It has a storage capacity of 17.8 billion cubic meters. Surrounded by verdant mountains, the crystal-clear lake is dotted by islets with luxuriant vegetation, like plenty of jadeite in a big mirror. While going boating on the lake, one finds "a lake within hills and a hill within lakes". One can not only enjoy the boundlessness of Taihu Lake (one of China’s 4 biggest lakes) but also appreciate the gracefulness of West Lake. The water temperature remains about 14°C, pleasant both in summer and winter.

Qiandao Lake is known for its numerous attractions, featuring green hills, beautiful waters, unusual caves, and fantastic rocks. More appealing among them are such islets as Longshan, Laoshan, Xianshan, Guihua, and Mishan. Besides, various kinds of animal are raised on many islets, including Monkey Islet, Bird Islet, and Snake Islet. The Fuchun River in the lower reaches of the Qiantang River traverses Tonglu, Fuyang, and Xiaoshan. Along the river are seen many sandbanks and rolling green hills. The current is slow moving and meandering. Stork Mountain, Yan Ziling’s Angling Terrace, Sailing on Qili Rapids, and Gourd Waterfalls are among the scenic spots downstream.

Notes:

1. Qiandao Lake 千岛湖

2. Stork Mountain 鹳岛

3. Gourd Waterfalls 葫芦瀑布