Baiyangdian Lake in Hebei
By admin on 2014-12-23

Baiyangdian Lake is located in the Anxin town in Hebei Province. It is the largest fresh water lake in North China Plain. There are 146 lakes in large or small sizes, divided by 36 villages and 12,000-mu (15 mu = 1 hectare) reed marshes. These lakes are linked together by more than 3,700 ditches and river courses. Among them the Baiyangdian is the largest one. Thus the name of the lake comes into being.
 
The most attractive scene of Baiyangdian Lake is the water country. It varies with the seasons. In spring, the reeds cluster in the lake gives a green view of the lake. In summer, the lotus flowers begin to blossom to add beauty to the lake. In autumn the reed catkins wafts above the lake, which swarms with fishes and ducks. And in winter the lake is ice-locked and smooth as jade. The famous scenic spots include the Mandarin Duck Island, the Folk Island, the Lotus-Flower Dian, and the Nine-Dragon Pool and so on. In the Mandarin Duck Island you can take the cable car and overlook the green and rippling surface of water. The Lotus-Flower Dian really is a world of lotus flowers. In spring, the small lotus buds appear and disappear in the water. And in summer, the Lotus-Flower Dian is filled with numerous lotus flowers, which compete to blossom and give off fragrance. It is too beautiful to describe.

One can take a wooden boat or an autoboat and tour along the river through tussock of reeds. The blue water, white reed catkins, together with groups of geese and ducks, present a beautiful landscape of watery region. Besides river tour, one can also taste delicious fish and shrimp. Moreover, viewing how fishermen net fish is another special attraction. Tourists may also jump into the shallow lake and work with them to experience their life, or fish with a fishing rod while boating.  

A number of places of interest are situated near the Baiyangdian. Through years, many emperors came here to spend the summer and left many imperial palaces and numerous legends. Among the legends, one tells about the origin of Laowangdian (save king shallow lake). It is said that Emperor Qianlong fell into the lake when he visited the place and then was saved by a fisherman. Some other constructions are built on the Bayangdian, including Shuiboliangshan Palace, Imperial Palace, a grand natatorium, a water-sports park, and also an area for viewing wild animals.

The reed mat in this region is long established a name of white skin with soft texture, such as the ‘Zhou Mat’ of Anzhou, ‘Huabian Mat’ of Guan city, and the ‘Small Margin Mat’ of Leitou in Bian village are all the top mats. They can be commemorated and are good for gift to relatives and friends.