Lihu Lake [Photo/wuxinews.com.cn]

Lihu Lake [Photo/wuxinews.com.cn]

Lihu Lake [Photo/wuxinews.com.cn]

Originally, Li means gourd ladle. Since the lake looks like a gourd ladle, it was named Lihu Lake. The lake has another name of "Wuli". It is almost as big as West Lake, with picturesque landscape all year round, with green water surrounded by mountains and green trees reflected in water.

There are 15 parks in the surrounding areas of Lihu Lake. All of them are open to the public for free. The lake is divided into two parts by the Shuanghong Bridge. There are the Yufu and Bogong islands in the east, which are connected by the Li Embankment.

You may have a walk along the embankment to enjoy the scenery with birds flying in the sky, fish swimming in the shallow water as well as mountains and water extending far away.

Tips

Lihu New Town, south side of Huanhu Bridge, Binhu district

Ticket: free

Opening hours: all day

Public transportation: No 36, 53, 72, 87, 106 and 207 buses, Huanlihu Sightseeing Bus, at Bogong Island Station

Travel guides

Cycling around Lihu Lake:

The Viewing Platform-Huanhu Road-Yufu Island-Lihu Lake Central Park-West Jincheng Road-Lihu Road-Jinshi Road-East Shanshui Road-Turtle Head Isle-10-li Fragrant Path-Bogong Island-Huanhu Road-The Viewing Platform (about 20 kilometers).

Recommendations

The Liyuan Garden

The Liyuan Garden is one of the most famous scenic spots here. There is a long embankment with willows, a long corridor beside the water, delicate and small bridges and gorgeous pavilions. Wherever you stand, you will see a beautiful picture.

The park was built in 1927 and was named after Fan Li, a famous politician, strategist and economist in Chinese history. The love between Fan Li and Xishi  (one of the famous Four Beauties of Ancient China) is a theme of the park.

Opening hours: 7: 00 - 18:00

Ticket:

High season: 45 yuan ($6.92) (March 17 to May 27; July 7 to October 22)

Off season: 30 yuan (May 28 to July 6; October 23 to March 16)

The Lihu Park

There is a garden in the park, namely the Shiyuan Garden, which boasts beautiful scenery. A Water Mirror Corridor was built along the water, with famous poems and paintings praising the beauty of Taihu Lake carved on its walls. The Star of Taihu Lake, the first water Ferris wheel in the world, stands at one side of the lake in the park.

Location: North end of the Lihu Bridge, Lihu Street, Binhu district

Ticket: The park is open for free; the ticket for the Ferris wheel costs 60 yuan.

Opening hours: all day (the park); 8:00 - 17:00, 10:00 (the Ferris wheel)

The Li Embankment

The Li Embankment is like a crescent-moon on the lake. It was originally built for reclaiming land from the lake and was reserved when returning the farmed fish to the lake. It links the ten tourist attractions of Lihu Lake together. It is considered a landscape corridor on the lake. There are pavilions beside the water.

Location: on Lihu Lake, Binhu district, connecting with Yufu Island to the east and the Bogong Island to the west

Ticket: free

Opening hours: all day

The Lihu Bridge Park

It is the best place to enjoy the landscapes of Lihu Lake. There are various flowers in the park. You may walk quietly along the river and enjoy the view of the Xishi Manor and the Lihu Bridge. It is a good place for spring outings.

Location: South end of the Lihu Bridge, Binhu district, with the Eastern Gate and the Western Gate at the eastern and western sides of Lihu Road

Ticket: free

Parking fee: 5 yuan

Open hours: all day

The Bogong Island

It is named Bogong in honor of Zhang Bo, an ancestor who made great contributions in water control. It is surrounded by high-quality water, which is as clear as glass. The green Bogong Corridor is artistic and has 13 kinds of plants. It is said to be the longest vine corridor in China.

Location: near the 10-li Fragrant Path

Ticket: free

Opening hours: all day

Yufu Island

In the legends, it was the place where Fan Li and Xishi took a boat to live an eremitic life. Trees shade the banks of the lake. The water is glistening. You may overlook the Luding Mountain, which is surrounded by mist. There are pavilions, platforms, stone bridges, flowers and trees. Both walking on the banks and boating on the lake are filled with fun.

Ticket: free

Public transportation: No 72 and 98 buses, huanlihu sightseeing bus, at Yufu Island Station