Taihu Lake is the third largest freshwater lake in China, covering an astonishing 902 square miles. Nearly 50 islets and 72 peaks make up the Taihu Lake area and the natural landscape has been added to by various landscaping efforts over the centuries.
The Taihu Fairy Islands, which used to be called the Sanshan Islands or Turtle Islands, are a much-loved group of islets in Taihu Lake. They are said to resemble a turtle drifiting quietly in the water, and are adorned with green trees, buildings and pavilions. Sanshan Temple, which was built in the era of Taibo, Emperor of the Wu Kingdom around 3,000 years ago, is the only Taoist temple built on an island in China.
Other attractions around the lake include waterfront restaurants, night cruises, floating restaurants serving lake delicacies, and seven-sail fishing boats of ancient design.
Modern development around the lake resulted in deterioration in the water quality, which the Chinese government has tried to curb in recent years. Despite the efforts of local and central government, even the most optimistic estimate says that the water around Taihu will not be fit to drink until 2015. Nevertheless, the area is still teeming with fish, and the 'Taihu Lake Three Whites' (white shrimp, whitebait and whitefish) are popular dishes. Whether or not you are in the mood to eat the fish, floating across the calm surface of the lake is a tranquil and relaxing part of any trip to Taihu.
Turtle Head Park
Turtle Head Park is a peninsula jutting into Taihu Lake and is one of the most well loved areas around the lake.
It was built in the late Qing Dynasty
(1875-1909) by Emperor Guangxu and is comprised of three areas: the Paradise of Taihu Lake, the Spring Curves of the Turtle Head Park and the Scenic Area at Chong Mountain. Long Spring Bridge separates Tai Lake into two parts and at either end of the arched walkway Japanese flowering cherries have been planted, which blossom in April and have earned the area the name "the Bank of Flowering Cherries".
A number of leisure cruises leave from the wharf at Turtle Head Islet, where motor boats, yachts, sailboats and cruising boats can be hired for tours of Fairy Island, Three Kingdoms City, Water Margin City or simply a tour of the Lingshan Hill Scenery.
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