Entrance of Beijing-Kaikai Expressway (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

That was July 25, 2014, when the reporter and his party went to Baiyangdian to carry out an activity with the theme of "Pursuing the Footprints of Anti-Japanese Heroes and Accepting Red Traditional Education." In order to avoid the interference of the relatively large number of tourists in open-plan tourist attractions, we specially invited Si Zhenbo, general manager of Beijing Times Longxiang Cultural Center, who is from his hometown near Baiyangdian, to be our guide for this event. At 7 a.m., we gathered at the Xihongmen Toll Station on the Beijing-Kaikai Expressway and drove off.

Daguang Expressway (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

There were few vehicles on the Daguang Expressway in the early morning. Our two cars were driving on the road at a constant speed. On the way, we could hear happy exchanges between us from time to time through the intercom. After about an hour and a half, we successfully arrived at the Xidawu Wharf on the bank of Baiyangdian Lake in Renqiu City. Eight people boarded two small wooden boats and rowed towards the depths of Baiyangdian.

Xidawu Tourist Pier (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

Baiyangdian is under the jurisdiction of five counties and cities: Anxin, Xiong County, Rongcheng and Gaoyang in Baoding City, Hebei Province, and Renqiu in Cangzhou City. 85% of the water is in Anxin County in Baoding City. Among the many lakes, Baiyangdian is the largest, so it is called "Baiyangdian." Since ancient times, Baiyangdian has been known as the "Pearl of North China" and the "West Lake in the North". Today, it is a famous 5A-level scenic spot in the country.

Boating in Baiyangdian (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

The people of Baiyangdian have a glorious revolutionary tradition. During the Anti-Japanese War, this was the place where the story of soldier Zhang Ga took place. In particular, the "Yanling Team", a water guerrilla group established by the people of Baiyangdian area, used rivers, lakes and ports to carry out guerrilla warfare and shocked the enemy. They played hide-and-seek with the Japanese invaders in reed mazes and lotus swamps, and often beat the invaders to death. The Japanese devils were terrified by the news. As a result, the "Lotus Lake School" of Chinese literature represented by Sun Li also emerged.

Lonely boat by the lake (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

As our boat gradually entered the depths of Baiyangdian, the beautiful lake light and beautiful color of Baiyangdian gradually revealed her beautiful appearance. Baiyangdian is a typical northern wetland and has been known for its rich products since ancient times. It is a kingdom of birds, a paradise for fish, and a museum of various aquatic plants. In midsummer, every reed is bright green from stem to leaf, and it is so green that it shines brightly; in August, lotus flowers are in full bloom on the Baiyangdian Lake, alternating with red and white, and they stand slender and graceful. The layers of lotus flowers are endless at a glance. It is like a poem and picturesque.

Scenery of the lotus pond (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

Our small boat first came to a place called Xiaoyu Island. After landing ashore, we followed the embankment to a lotus pond. The lotus flowers in Baiyangdian are one of its important scenery. Although the lotus pond on Xiaoyu Island is not large in area, it also shows the lotus scenery of Baiyangdian from one side. Watching the scenery of the blooming lotus pond, suddenly the wonderful melody of "Moonlight on the Lotus Pond" sung by the legend of the Phoenix entered people's ears. In this situation, the comfortable feeling of watching flowers, scenery and listening to music is just right and is pleasing to the eye.

Take pictures of the beautiful scenery of Xiaoyu Island (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

According to General Secretary Si, there are 366 species of lotus flowers in Baiyangdian, with various shapes and myriad colors. It is the place with the largest number of lotus species in the north and even in the country. The reeds in Baiyangdian are as large as 150,000 acres, which cannot be seen at a glance. Looking from any angle on the water, you can see that the rolling reed swamps look like a green Great Wall. It not only formed another unique scenery of Baiyangdian, but also provided effective natural protection for the wild geese that made the devils scream during the Anti-Japanese War. Not only that, it is now Baiyangdian's largest source of economic income.

Battle Monument (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

The area of Xiaoyu Island is not large, but the island's elegant environment is okay. Here is a commemorative stone of the "Battle of Caiputai", which records a guerrilla war against the Japanese invaders that took place in Caiputai Village, Baiyangdian, on the seventh day of the lunar calendar in 1942.

Mines on the island (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

In addition, there are some objects or models on the island such as mines (floating on water) and anti-Japanese ships (carrying poles) that fought against the Japanese invaders in those years.

Portrait of soldier Zhang Ga (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

At the far end of the island, there is also a relatively simple artillery building and the figure of militia soldier and soldier Zhang Ga. Although these bits and pieces are not much in content, they show people from one angle an unforgettable historical style of Baiyangdian's struggle against the Japanese invaders.

Artillery on the island (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

In the quiet environment of Xiaoyu Island, everyone held a democratic life meeting here seriously. Focusing on the theme of this trip, party activists and party members communicated with each other freely. Looking back on and understanding the exciting stories of the Anti-Japanese War that took place here and the natural customs and people's sentiments here made everyone feel that they received a rare education on the red tradition.

Corner of reed marsh (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

The integration of beautiful nature and harmonious atmosphere will make life lively. Everyone generally believes that this event held in Baiyangdian this time is very meaningful.

Island Life Meeting (Photo: Si Zhenbo)

It was nearly noon after the theme event, and everyone took a boat away from Xiaoyu Island and headed for Anxin County. After dozens of minutes of waterway, the boat arrived at the lakeside terminal of Quantou Village in Anxin County, about 45 kilometers east of Baoding City, Hebei Province. Quantou Township is located in the center of Baiyangdian District, surrounded by water on all sides, with 29 large and small lakes.

Waterside yacht (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

It governs 11 village committees including Quantou East Street, Quantou West Street, Quantou Bridge South, Quantou Bridge, Dongguangdian, Shaozhuangzi, Caiputai, Datianzhuang, Dongtianzhuang and Beitianzhuang. This place is mainly made of mat reed weaving, and aquaculture and fishing industries are also developed. I think many emperors had paraded here in those days. Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty surrounded and built a palace here.

Stand alone (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

Walking in the small village, there are not wide streets and alleys criss-crossed, like a maze, with old doors and old homes in between. Of course, there are not a few newly built houses by villagers. The tall gate buildings and the shadow walls with dragons and phoenixes in the courtyard all reflect the moderately prosperous life of the farmers here. Walking through the streets and alleys, we came to a supply and marketing hotel in the village. This was the place where we had lunch in Baiyangdian that day.

Scenery along the waterside of Xiaoyu Island (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

Walking into this quite ordinary restaurant, I never expected to taste a famous local farm dish composed of river shrimp, loach, sweet and sour fish segments, fish scale powder, stewed miscellaneous fish, fungus fillets, crisp fish fillets, fried lotus leaves, and garlic sprouts with the staple food shrimp paste cakes, screw turns, etc.

Boatmen on Baiyangdian (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Speaking of Baiyangdian's food culture, it is quite impressive. Baiyangdian is a famous land of fish and rice. It is rich in all kinds of fish, shrimp, crab and turtle shells. The practices are also ever-changing. One of the dishes,"stewed miscellaneous fish", is famous across the country. In fact, it was just a snack for fishermen in the past when they exposed their stories. There are also famous lotus banquets-all made of lotus flowers; the whole fish banquet is a masterpiece of Baiyangdian's fish integration; especially the delicious fish soup is so fresh that people will regret it for a lifetime. In addition, the staple food series of hot cakes boiled small fish are too numerous to mention.

Baiyangdian Xiusai (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

In addition, it is worth mentioning that the local specialty tea-patterned preserved eggs, also known as preserved eggs, is one of the famous and special products of Baiyangdian. The egg source is the eggs laid by raised ducks and is made using traditional craftsmanship and new scientific formulas. The main characteristics of Baiyangdian tea-grain pine eggs are bright color, delicious taste and clear tea grains. After being cut, the songhua flowers are dark green, black, light brown and dark brown in four circles. You can make salad, tofu and songhua porridge, etc.

Fishing in Baiyangdian (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

Although the sumptuous lunch at the Supply and Marketing Hotel at noon is impossible to capture all the specialty delicacies of Baiyangdian, several representative elite dishes and delicacies in Baiyangdian have opened everyone's eyes and refreshed, and they can experience and enjoy them immersively. I tasted it thoroughly, leaving a wonderful aftertaste that will be unforgettable for a lifetime.

Sweet and sour fish section (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

After lunch, I returned to the dock and boarded the boat again. The boat swam into the lake and came to an open water. Those who could swim in the water jumped into the water for a swim. In summer, the water temperature in the lake is neither cold nor hot, making it especially suitable for playing in the water. General Secretary Si introduced that almost none of the children who grew up in Baiyangdian couldn't swim.

Shrimp paste cake and screw turning (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

Nature is the best teacher. Children like them who have never received any normal teaching and training are playing in the water with ease. It is this unique natural waters that make Baiyangdian famous all over the world. The day passed quickly with ease and joy, but what remained were beautiful memories.

Reporter Baiyangdian Changyou (Photo: Si Zhenbo)

Regarding this place, which is less than 200 kilometers away from Beijing, the reporter thought that anyone who has been here may more or less feel that it is indeed a place that people will never forget to leave. (Photo and text: Feng Ganyong)

(Source: China News Network)