Autumn is the best season for outings of the year, with reeds fluttering and egrets flying together.
On such a warm autumn afternoon, I came to Xiazhu Lake in Deqing to taste the unique fish soup rice and experience the unique wetland scenery.

China is a true foodie country, with each place having its own unique culinary culture. The northern region eats noodles, the southern region cooks soup, and the western region of Sichuan eats spicy food. However, the coastal areas of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai are more inclined to eat seafood and river delicacies. Jiangsu likes to eat crabs, while Zhejiang prefers to eat fish. In the area of Xiazhu Lake in Huzhou, sharing fish soup rice has become a traditional custom in late autumn and early winter. During the fishing season, thousands of people gather by the shore of Xiazhu Lake, waiting for the freshest bowl of fish soup rice in late autumn.

As early as the Wu and Yue dynasties, people living by the shore of Xiazhu Lake had a tradition of catching, fishing, and eating fish. Although the economy around the wetlands is developed now, and people no longer rely on fishing for a living, the customs of windproof worship and fish soup rice have been preserved. Every autumn, windproof fishing festivals are held by the shore of Xiazhu Lake. However, many people still come for this bowl of Guinness fish soup rice. At the scene where thousands of people share the fish soup rice, there are no empty seats, and the scene is very spectacular.

When it comes to the fish in Xiazhu Lake, we must first talk about the water in Xiazhu Lake. After all, this lake area, which is known as the most beautiful wetland in China, nourishes the fish with plump meat. The Xiazhu Lake Wetland Scenic Area, located in Deqing, Huzhou, is a national 4A level tourist attraction with a huge scale, covering a total area of 36 square kilometers, including a water area of about 3.4 square kilometers. It is the largest natural original ecological wetland in Jiangnan. For this thousand person sharing of fish soup rice, a total of 3000 pounds of fish were prepared on site, and the battle was fierce, making tourists who came from afar only to taste fish soup rice full of anticipation.

Before the start of the Fish Soup Rice Thousand Person Banquet, the chefs were still preparing various dishes. In order to complete the production of fish soup rice, they arrived on the island at around 6 o'clock in the morning to prepare, in order to present the most authentic and delicious fish soup rice to all the tourists who came to admire it. As the fish soup rice was cooked, there were also waves of fresh fish soup on the scene, with a fragrant aroma overflowing.

The fish soup rice in Xiazhu Lake is known as the most famous in China. Tourists who came from Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai once gathered in Xiazhu Lake to taste the fish soup rice cooked in a large stove covering an area of 100 square meters. The number of people who tasted the fish soup rice set a record in Guinness, China. Therefore, the fish soup rice in Xiazhu Lake is now also known as Guinness fish soup rice, which is full of momentum. On the large lawn, there stands a large earthen stove that is ten meters high and about 12 meters wide, which is a standard accessory for cooking fish soup rice. By the stove, more than 20 chefs with years of experience in making fish soup rice are busy around seven large iron pots. As the chefs kept flipping their spatulas in the pot,

After the official start of the event, the chefs also began to prepare side dishes, as thousands of people came to taste fish soup rice. Therefore, both the chefs and the waiters dressed in local specialty costumes became a beautiful scenery. At the Fish Soup Rice Feast, not only are there exciting fish soup rice dishes, but also a variety of local specialty dishes, allowing tourists to have a full meal.

The highlight of the night was the rich fish soup, and the soul of the fish soup rice was the fresh fish caught in the Xiazhu Lake as the main ingredient, which cannot be eaten elsewhere. Thanks to the excellent water quality of Xiazhu Lake, braised fish chunks are extremely delicious, tender, and smooth, with a strong and fragrant soup. Eating fish soup also has its own characteristics. After serving a hot and steaming bowl of fish soup, you first taste the fish meat. The smooth and tender fish meat comes with the soup, and it melts with a gentle sip at the mouth, leaving an endless aftertaste.

After tasting fish, the essence of fish soup with rice is another human delicacy. The rich fish soup slowly soaked the rice, and each grain of rice was wrapped in the unique freshness of Xiazhu Lake fish. Tasting it, it left a lingering fragrance on the lips and teeth, full of happiness. The delicious taste of fish soup rice was not enough to be paired with a bowl of rice.

At the Fish Soup Rice Feast, there are various activities, among which the most popular one is probably the lucky draw. 25 large fish weighing over 5 pounds, 15 large fish weighing over 10 pounds, and 10 large fish weighing over 15 pounds were selected. Lucky tourists can not only enjoy a delicious fish soup rice feast, but also carry a large fish home.

The most exciting part is the fish king competition. The unique wetland ecological environment of Xiazhu Lake nurtures large fish with tender meat and delicious taste. The fish held on the stage is the fish king of this year. Bighead carp is one of the the four famous domestic fishes in China. It weighs 40.8 kg, breaking the historical record. The final transaction of 12888 yuan was also an eye opener for me.

In order to cater to the traditional cultural atmosphere of fish soup and rice, tourists can enjoy various performances while eating. The Hanfu walk show showcases the elegance of Jiangnan women, complementing the fresh and refined natural atmosphere of Xiazhu Lake.

The dance with local traditional characteristics brings people back to the scene of small bridges and flowing water in the Jiangnan water town, where they can enjoy delicious fish soup and rice, as well as a wonderful visual feast. The taste of Deqing is deeply ingrained in the hearts of everyone present. Have you ever eaten fish soup rice from Xiazhu Lake? Have you ever seen such a scene of a grand banquet with thousands of people?

Speaking of Deqing, were you the first to react that it was Moganshan? In the natural ecological environment of Zhejiang, Deqing has always been a very suitable place for vacation. In addition to the mountainous and wilderness areas of Mogan Mountain, there is also a very beautiful wetland ecological area, Xiazhu Lake, a 4A level tourist attraction, which has been rated as one of the 50 most worth visiting scenic spots in Zhejiang Province and is still the best ecological leisure tourism destination in China.

In late autumn and early winter, I arrived at Xiazhu Lake for the first time. It takes only 5 minutes by taxi from the high-speed railway station to arrive. This is the most beautiful wetland in China, a typical natural lake wetland. The scenic area is a pristine landscape, which is well preserved. The best way to visit Xiazhu Lake is by boat, boating on the wetland, and you can see the unique ecological environment of Xiazhu Lake.

The boat sailed to the center of the lake, where the wetlands were intertwined with bays and reeds. The lake water was clear, and wild birds occasionally flew to the reed marshes to rest. The lake was covered with aquatic animals and plants, and to this day, it still maintains the natural and rustic Jiangnan water town style.

Reed sways and floats by the lake, while the boat slowly sails on the surface of the lake, everything appears so peaceful. If you want to experience the Wupeng boat, there are many hand-operated Wupeng boats here. Floating on the lake, you can enjoy the waves of the lake and the warm autumn scenery.

After disembarking, I arrived at the core area of Xiazhu Lake, walked on the bridge, and enjoyed the beautiful scenery of Xiazhu Lake Wetland. The warm sunshine hit me, which was also very comfortable.

The autumn season of Xiazhu Lake is the peak season for reed marshes, and the entire wetland is full of reeds. Some reeds are as tall as one person, weaving through the reed marshes like entering a water maze.

The reed maze in Xiazhu Lake is a must visit place for autumn reed viewing. The lake is sometimes wide and sometimes narrow, with dense reeds on both sides. The entire river channel can only accommodate a hand-operated boat to pass through, and when it reaches the wide area, it is like a small lake with clear water that stretches to the sky. Among the reeds, the most suitable one is to take a portrait photo, bring a girl here to take beautiful portrait photos, and blend in with the reeds.

The greatest pleasure of playing in Xiazhu Lake is its natural maze of reeds swaying on the water. The reeds sway in large and small sections, and the swaying reeds bloom beautifully. The lake breeze blows, and the reeds sway one after another, making people intoxicated. As they approach the depths of the reed marshes, they occasionally startle a few egrets to fly out of the reed marshes, flying on the lake surface like a beautiful painting.

Appreciating reed flowers in Xiazhu Lake can be enjoyed from early autumn until early winter. From red or purple flower buds in early autumn to slowly blooming silver gray flowers, when the leaves and trunk turn yellow, the reed flowers turn silver white, which is the best viewing period. In Xiazhu Lake, no matter where you go, as far as you can see, you can enjoy the magical reed marshes and its simple and unadorned reed flowers.

Wearing a formal dress, strolling through the reed marshes is probably the most beautiful appearance in this world.

In the garden corridor, swing your flowing long skirt and be a little princess in Xiazhu Lake.

Although Xiazhu Lake is a natural wetland park, in addition to wilderness, there is also childlike fun. The park has VR halls, water amusement facilities, boating, and more. Not only suitable for adults to play, but also a playground for children, with trampolines, slides, and swings, making the originally quiet park look particularly interesting.

A poetic waterfall with a thousand pursuits, the four month sky of the eternal world, and the thousand pursuits night are also engraved on the cultural traces of Xiazhu Lake.

Xiazhu Lake, known as the most beautiful wetland in China, is a natural ecological holy land in Deqing. It has become a popular tourist destination for people to get close to nature and experience leisurely vacation and slow life. Nowadays, the 4A level Xiazhu Lake Scenic Area is also developing towards a 5A level.

At the opening ceremony, there was a local song and dance show featuring the unique characteristics of Xiazhu Lake. Through these performances, we can better immerse ourselves in the wetland ecological culture of Xiazhu Lake.

The winter in the south has come too slowly this year. It's already mid November, and it's still the temperature of early autumn. But in Xiazhu Lake, you can experience the ice and snow from the north in advance. In the famous wetland scenery of Xiazhu Lake Wetland Scenic Area, there is an ice and snow world, allowing people to appreciate the reed marshes in the wetland while also experiencing the unique scenery of the north.

As I walked towards the world of ice and snow from Xiazhu Lake Restaurant, I could feel waves of cold air. In this nearly 1000 square meter ice house, I felt as if I had arrived in the north. A gust of cold air hit my face. Before entering, I put on a big cotton jacket, otherwise I would definitely freeze. As soon as I walked inside, colorful lights shone on the ice sculpture, reflecting a translucent light. The polar bear stood at the door, dumbfounded, welcoming the visitors.

The pavilions, bridges, and city walls carved from ice blocks, illuminated by colorful lights, present a dreamlike feeling. Amusement projects such as 3D holographic projection, circular ice skating, and ultra wide ski slopes leave people lingering. In the afternoon, Xiazhu Lake sweated after walking under the sun, but it was particularly cool here. There were a few times when I felt that a thick cotton jacket was unnecessary.

The ice sculptures in the world of ice and snow revolve around the characteristics of Xiazhu Lake, with pavilions, towers, small bridges, and flowing water. When the scenery of Jiangnan meets the dreamy ice sculptures, it can also create a fairy tale feeling. Come here to participate in an unforgettable ice festival, with over ten snow makers, air coolers, and refrigeration units, allowing the place to maintain a constant temperature of -5 degrees Celsius throughout the year, just like walking into a refrigerator.

In the Dream Ice Sculpture Museum, you can experience the authentic Nordic indigenous style, and various ice sculpture works are lifelike, all carved by a team of gold medal winners from the 2018 Harbin Ice Sculpture Competition. The newly introduced 3D holographic projection shines on Swan Lake, making it a popular check-in destination and dominating social media moments.

In the fantasy world of ice and snow, you can also find the adorable social figures Bald Qiang, Xiong Da, and Xiong Er from "Bears Out and Out", and encounter a winter ice and snow adventure. With the companionship of these cartoon characters, children completely forget the cold.

The ultra long circular ice skating track and ultra wide ski slope allow you to experience the thrilling pleasure of high-speed skating even in Xiazhu Lake. With screams, the refreshing cold wind hits your face. At -5 ℃, you can also embark on a great adventure of speed and passion. You must not miss this ice skating track in the world of ice and snow. It is made of real ice and has a smooth staircase, satisfying you all at once.

And what we girls love the most is still the snowy area. Many children have already picked up snowballs and started snowball fights. In the snowy sky, I feel like I have returned to the snowy countryside in Northeast China, with red lanterns, thatched houses, snowmen, and Christmas trees, full of dreams of a snowy country.

In the ice and snow world of Xiazhu Lake, experiencing a strange autumn ice and snow encounter not only provides a refreshing experience of minus 5 ℃, but also offers real ice, real snow and other recreational activities, making me feel as if I have forgotten being in Jiangnan. Have you ever been to the ice and snow world of Xiazhu Lake? Do you prefer playing snow or ice skating?

Ice and Snow World Business Hours: 8:00-21:00
Adult ticket: 40 yuan/person, children's ticket: 20 yuan/person, elderly ticket: 20 yuan/person, free for children under 1.2 meters, and free rental of down jackets with ticket.