Liangzi Lake in Wuhan

Liangzi Lake (Chinese: 梁子湖), originally Fan Lake (Chinese: 樊湖), is a freshwater lake in the southeast of Hubei Province, divided between the Liangzihu Scenic Spot Office of Jiangxia District, Wuhan and the Liangzihu District of Ezhou City (both areas named after the lake). This rural area south of Wuhan), situated in the south bank of the middle reaches of Yangtze River. The lake is 370 km ², with a drainage area of 3265 km ², an elevation of 20 m, length 31.7 km and mean width 9.6 km (max 12.3 m). The shoreline of lake is highly indented.

Liangzi Lake appears to have two outlets. On the northers side of the lake, a small river or canal flows from Liangzi into Tangxun Lake, and urban lake on the south side of Wuhan, which eventually drains into the Yangtze. On the eastern side of the lake, another river flows from Liangzi Lake toward Ezhou, where it enters the Yangtze as well.

On January 1, 2018, Ezhou officially implemented a new law called “Liangzihu District Marine Life Protection Zone Absolute Fishing Ban Work Implementation Plan” (《梁子湖区水生生物保护区全面禁捕工作实施方案》). The lake is rich in fish and it is the origin of Wuchang Bream.

Analysis of core samples extracted from the bottom of the lake allows scientists to measure the presence of metals such as copper, lead, nickel and zinc in the environment over the last several thousand ages; they provide evidence for the existence of mining and metal smelting in the region as early as 1500 BC, during the time of the State of Chu. (The Huangshi/Daye region east of the lake continues to be a mining and metallurgical center to this day.)

“Sister Lakes” partnership has been established between Liangzi Lake and Lake Pepin in Minnesota.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.