Wetland Scenic Site of Xiazhu Lake in Deqing
3 min readThe Wetland Scenic Site of Xiazhuhu is a newly developing tourist site located in the suburbs of Wukang town in Deqing, which is about 200 kilometers away from Shanghai, and 270 kilometers from Nanjing. The cross-border Hang-Ning (Hangzhou-Nanjing) Expressway, Hu-Ning(Huzhou-Nanjing) Expressway and Hu-Hang (Huzhou-Hangzhou)Expressway form a traffic network extending in all directions that makes tourists very convenient to get there. The whole site now occupies an area of 36 square kilometers including about 10 square kilometers of wetland.
The main water body takes up about 3.5 square kilometers. The wetland of Xiazhu Lake takes an important geographical position. It is a transitional wetland stretching from the western mountain area to the eastern region crisscrossed with rivers and lakes. The combination of water and mountain creates an ideal natural setting.It is often said that Fangfeng State in the site was established on the earth，but Xiazhu Lake was bred in Heaven.
The Wetland Scenic Site of Xiazhu Lake is divided into the upper area and the lower area.Xiazhu Lake is the bright pearl in this tourist site.The central water area of the lake covers about 1.26 square kilometers.It is the third largest lake in Deqing County and the fifth largest inland lake in Zhejiang province.As the largest wetland in Southern China，Xiazhu Lake is also the birthplace of Liangzhu Culture and Fangfeng Culture，which has a long history of 5，000 years.Except for rich cultural heritages，the natural resources abound in the wetland as well.Hushang Mountain and Daoguan Mountain connected by Biandan Mountain stand upright to the north of the lake.The reverted reflection of the mountains in peaceful lake adds a uniquesight to the site.The Lake has about 6，000 islets and thick reeds in shallow water.Flocks of wild birds，aquatic creatures and plants can be foundeverywhere.Surprisingly，the wetland lake has a so wide view of water surface that the water and the sky join together in one colour at the far distance，but the lake has so shallow sections and narrow branches of water that the waterways zigzag in the overgrown reeds like winding alleys.
Taking a boat through the long stretch of wild reeds，as if one entered a dizzying maze.Tourists can fully enjoy the lush wilderness here.That is where the mystery of the wetland lake lies.
Additionally，there are ancient temples，pavilions，gardens and Fangfeng tribe in this site. The wetland scenic site changes with the alternation of seasons. It is appropriate to compare its colours and appearances to different picturesqueviews. In spring, it has got a spring scene that pleasant breezes stroke your face gently, peach blossoms and willow twigs present a striking contrast of colour. In summer, green lotus and light yellow reeds wave in the wind, and seem to give a warmly welcome to visitors. In autumn, orange osmanthus give out a smell of fragrance, blazing-red maple leaves see off the wild geese passing by, and winter turns it into a world of white when it has an auspicious snowfall which promises a good harvest next year.
