I came to Xiazhu Lake once before the typhoon passed through

Before the typhoon arrived, I visited Xiazhu Lake in Deqing. Speaking of Xiazhu Lake in Deqing, I passed by Moganshan once in March this year, and it was only about 20 kilometers away from here, making it very convenient for me to drive. This is my first time visiting the scenic area. Today is the day when Typhoon Hagibi passes through. According to the photographer, the weather changes before and after the typhoon, and it is easy to capture large photos. Today, I did see the rolling clouds in the sky, and the wind blew reeds and trees to one side. Also, although the sun was a bit sunny, the wind was incredibly cool.

About Xiazhu Lake

Xiazhu Lake, also known as Fangfeng Lake, is the fifth largest inland lake in Zhejiang Province. It is located in the suburbs of Wukang in Deqing County. Standing in the scenic area, high-speed trains can roar through it (very close to the Deqing high-speed railway station). The central lake area covers an area of 1.26 square kilometers, and its characteristics are that it is either open like a ripple, with water and sky in one color; Or as narrow as a harbor, with winding Han roads, with piers in the lake and lakes in the piers; There are branches in the harbor, and the middle of the branches is covered. It is a rather magical place. When taking a boat, I asked the tour guide if there were any small boats besides electric boats, because when I saw that the main route taken by the large boats was the wide river surface, and some narrow and deep reed paths were basically ignored. Perhaps it was also for safety reasons that I did not make any development in this area.

Upon entering the tourist hall of Xiazhu Lake, you are directly guided to take a boat. The main attractions here are three islands, namely the first island - Reed Maze and Hanging Bamboo Tower, Crested Ibis Island and Le Island. To reach these islands, you need to take a boat by water, and don't turn back to play all the way. Each island has its own unique theme, for example, the first island has a reed maze and a bamboo teahouse, Crested Ibis Island naturally has a precious bird - Crested Ibis, and Le Island is more of a entertainment and leisure facility.
Below, we can talk about the differences and characteristics of the three approaches.

The first island of Xiazhu Lake

After buying tickets and boarding the boat, we will set off for the first small island along the wide river channel. The boat shuttles through the low and cloudy river channel, and the waves it pushes open are rippling and circling towards the nearby reeds. Looking out of the window, we can clearly feel that the wind is blowing our hair straight, and we can also see the reeds and trees bending down in one direction under the influence of the wind. The speed of the flowing clouds is very fast, and as our boat navigates at a constant speed, we sometimes find several white egrets and gray egrets flying beside us. Some rest on tree branches, while others spread their wings and fly. However, we can feel that they fly very slowly. The impact of the typhoon makes us feel that our bodies have been slightly distorted, but we still fly hard. This reminds me of Tagore's saying: "Since we have chosen a distance, we only focus on wind and rain." Typhoon is not a big deal, as long as I vigorously flap my wings and move forward, life is always like this.

The ship had been sailing for about ten minutes, and when it turned around, you could see the observation deck on the first island. Due to the lush vegetation in summer, only a part of it was visible. Stopping the ship and landing on the island, there is a thrill of exploration, perhaps due to the first arrival! Plus, I didn't do any strategy, I just vaguely looked at what others had written about three islands and mazes. This ambiguous and hazy feeling makes me feel more mysterious and fresh when playing in a new place.

With this feeling, I strolled around the first island and found three good places. One was the observation deck on the highest point and three floors. Standing on the highest floor, it achieved a great view of the entire island, with a maze, hanging bamboo towers, two cruise ship docks, and free flying birds. It was during the typhoon season, and the 360 degree natural wind was blowing very cool. In addition, the sky was very low and the movement speed was fast. For a photographer, it was just a good place to take photos, and the photo delay photography was also good.

Another is the reed maze here, where reeds over two or three meters high block all the wooden walkways. Standing on the wooden walkway, one cannot see far away, and only a short distance can one's vision be blocked. It takes seven or eight detours to get out. After walking, I was surprised to find that the maze here is like a road that leads to Rome. As long as one road goes black, there is no getting lost because there is no Silk Road that cannot be crossed, so there is no difficulty to say. The freshness of the maze for the first time will make you feel extraordinary, and if you come back again, it will be discounted. However, it feels very comfortable to take photos here. With a low angle facing the sky, it not only captures the long legs but also provides a sense of exploration.

In the towering reed marshes, people are mostly hidden as they walk through them, and can only be seen in relatively sparse areas.

The extension of trees and reeds can create varying degrees of mystery, which should be the most meaningful aspect of this maze.

Standing on this scenic small building, the most eye-catching one is the rectangular hanging bamboo tower in front of you. This can be said to be a supply station for the scenic area and a unique place on this small island. There is a place inside that can provide shade, rest, and cold drinks. People who swim here can choose to go in and enjoy the cool breeze, order a set of three courses of tea here, and chat with friends about daily life, which is also a relatively comfortable choice for travel.

Speaking of the three types of tea here, there is still a story to tell. There are blue and white porcelain tea sets on the generous table, and a few people sit around, it really looks like that. There has always been a tradition of "three courses of tea" along the banks of Xiazhu Lake. Their three courses of tea include sweet tea, salty tea, and clear tea, with different flavors and different tea preparations, forming this famous "three courses of tea".

Toudao Tea
There is a slang song that goes: "Hong Diao turns into clouds in a blink of an eye, with thin paper and ice, and light duck feathers. It seems to be the most precious thing in ordinary times, only for mothers and friends." This refers to a type of food made from glutinous rice: Wo Ci, a local specialty of authentic rural areas, used for brewing sweet tea in the "Three Course Tea".
Erdao Tea
Roasted bean tea, also known as "windproof tea", originated in Sanhe Township, Deqing. Local villagers use 5-7 varieties of tea, including orange peel, night sesame, roasted beans, dried bamboo shoots, and clove radish, to make roasted bean tea. It is suitable for salty aroma and unique flavor, and is used for entertaining guests or leisure purposes. This custom is still quite popular in the generation of Huzhou today, and it is an essential item for giving gifts to family and friends and entertaining VIPs during festivals.

Three course tea
There is a saying: one bowl is full of sweetness, two bowls are refreshing, and three bowls are a way to promote family life. After tasting sweet tea and salty tea, eating the third refreshing "clear tea" is considered a perfect achievement. This "Qingcha" is produced in the secluded Mogan Mountain area and is a rare yellow tea treasure. Its quality is comparable to famous teas such as Anji white tea and Changxing purple bamboo shoots.

Of course, you can also see large patches of lotus fields on this small island. However, after the blooming time, you can only see thick and large lotus leaves swaying in the wind. Upon closer inspection, you can see white light rising from the back of the flipped lotus leaves, wave after wave, as they move away. Apart from a few lotus flowers, there are more fresh lotus pods, and those near the aisle have been basically eliminated.

According to the tour guide, every year when the lotus flowers are in full bloom here, there is a project of taking a small bamboo raft to pick lotus flowers. Imagine wearing Hanfu and carrying a small basket, as the bamboo raft moves forward, there will be a poetic and picturesque feeling of "mistakenly entering the depths of the lotus flowers, startling a beach of gulls and egrets".

The Crested Ibis in the elementary school textbook can be seen here - Crested Ibis Island

I saw the crested ibis bird in my elementary school textbook here, and it feels like I've been late for many years. I should have come to Xiazhu Lake late. When I walked up to Crested Ibis Island, the first thing I saw was a few sculptures of Crested Ibis. Then, I took a few turns on my right side and passed by a bird exhibition hall, where I could see many captive Crested Ibis. It is said that the free range crested ibis forage nearby during the day and rely on great fate to see it.

The entire Crested Ibis Island is estimated to take a ten minute walk around. There are several points worth checking in on the island, such as the popular Bird's Nest photo taking and checking in. Of course, if you visit the island for the first time, you will also visit the bird exhibition hall to gain a detailed understanding of different bird species, which is very informative. Additionally, you can also see the giant panda among birds - Crested Ibis. There are also many small stories about watching the diet of Crested Ibis.

Walking through a sea of flowers on the water, you can see this bird's nest check-in point. The natural scenery of yellow flowers, green leaves, and blue sky and white clouds is perfect for taking photos. However, as a male tourist, I don't have the idea of taking selfies as a souvenir, so I just took an aerial shot for you to take a look at. Girls can come here to create a concave shape and take a back view with a low angle and a little foreground.

This building is an exhibition hall here. Walking in, you can see many pictures, materials, and specimens of birds. The richness of birds can be imagined, and the most commonly seen here are white egrets, gray egrets, and captive crested ibis.

Approaching the exhibition hall and walking this way, you can see the Crested Ibis breeding area, which is several tens of meters long and a few meters wide. There are dozens of Crested Ibis raised, but due to captive breeding, I didn't see their playful behavior on the branches and their soaring wings. I only saw the scene of them excitedly teasing loaches and eating.

Here you can do a little science popularization on Crested Ibis, and you can also have a certain understanding when watching birds, not just knowing their names. The Crested Ibis (scientific name: Nipponia nippon), formerly known as the Vermilion Egret or Red Vermilion Egret, is a species endemic to East Asia. Medium sized, with white body feathers and a long willow leaf shaped crown on the occipital region. The skin from the forehead to the cheeks is exposed and appears bright red; During the breeding period, use your beak to continuously peck at the gray pigment secreted from the neck muscles, apply it to the head, neck, upper back, and wings feathers, making it grayish black.
In 2008, the crested ibis began wild release training and breeding in Deqing County, Zhejiang Province, China, with technical support from Zhejiang University.

Here, you can see that every pool is filled with small loaches, which is also because it is their favorite food.
The Crested Ibis mainly feeds on invertebrates and small vertebrates such as small fish, loaches, frogs, crabs, shrimp, snails, crickets, earthworms, beetles, Hemiptera insects, crustaceans, and other insects and insect larvae. Foraging activities occur during the day. Usually foraging in shallow water near the water or in rice fields, it is also found in mud and on the ground. When searching for food on the ground, one often walks slowly and lightly. When searching for food on the ground in front of them, they immediately peck it with their mouth. When foraging in shallow water or mud, the main method is to continuously insert the long and curved mouth into the soil and water to search for food.

The feathers of an adult bird are predominantly white in color, but the upper and lower body feathers and flight feathers are slightly tinged with a faint pink color, with the primary flight feathers having a stronger pink color. The feathers on the head and neck are specialized and elongated to form drooping crown feathers. The entire face, including the forehead, eye circumference, eyelids, and base of the lower beak, is bare without feathers and appears bright red. The tip of the beak and base of the lower beak are red, and the rest of the body is black. The iris is golden yellow, and the feet are also bright red. During the breeding season, adult birds will secrete small black particles throughout their head, neck, and even shoulders, staining the head, neck, and shoulders with grayish black. However, it must be pointed out that this color change is caused by secretions rather than changes in the color of the feathers themselves.

Another scene that left a deep impression was the gray egret standing straight at the edge of the net. The tour guide said it was while waiting for the crested ibis to play with the loach to the edge of the net and hunt for it. Thinking about this, the bird's brain is really good. It is estimated that it has been countless times since it came here to eat that this habit has formed.

In addition to the main ornamental crested ibis, white egrets can also be seen everywhere on Crested Ibis Island. From afar, one can see their white figures on tree branches or by the grass by the river many times.

The third island in Xiazhu Lake, Le Island, has the most diverse designs, which is Le Island

Compared to the second island, which mainly focuses on bird watching, the third island has many activities to play now. Here, Crested Ibis Island and Leshan Island are connected. Walking through a small bridge and passing through a patch of dogtail grass, you can see a tall bird watching platform in the distance. Continuing forward, you will reach Leshan Island.

There are farmed fish in the lake between the two islands, where you can fish and eat.

The bird watching platform in the distance is also particularly prominent when viewed in the sea of dogtail grass.

I personally quite like this place that connects two small islands. The green dog tail grass shakes its head and head, and there is a small tree standing in the green area. Coupled with the unique typhoon lift, taking photos also looks like a place with a large and artistic atmosphere.

Looking at the third small island from the lake, there are not many tall trees or buildings. Compared to Crested Ibis Island, it is much flatter. From a distance, you can see a huge yellow hat and a girl with a pink dress in front. I like this grassland here. Although it may be a bit bumpy to sit on, sitting in the breeze and looking at the distant scenery will give you a refreshing feeling.

There is also a large area on the third island of Lotus Pond, which only has lotus leaves and lotus pods. If you had come here earlier, there would have been an endless expanse of lotus leaves and a unique red lotus flower reflecting the sun.

The tour guide lady said that this pond is now a popular spot for children and celebrities to fish in the mud, and fishing activities will be held irregularly.

The corridor and resting seats here are very unique, such as the green corridor with brackets, and a resting place made of four trees on the side.

The reason why there are a lot of things to play and eat on Ledao is that it is the largest island with a gravity park on it, and there are many entertainment projects to bring children here. There is also a pearl culture experience hall in cooperation with the scenic area and Ou Shiman. The pearls opened on site can be processed and taken away for free.

Strolling here, it happened to be noon, and the weather was a bit hot. I went straight in and had a bowl of Jixiang Chaos and Mom's fried chicken. Chaos can choose from various fillings, and the fried chicken is also crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. It tastes even more delicious when wrapped in seasoning.

In addition to food, there are also places to drink coffee and specialty fish head noodles here, which can be considered a very enjoyable island. The overall price is also acceptable, and it will not be outrageously expensive just because it is in the scenic area.

There is also a barbecue house on Le Island, which can be reached along the concrete road leading out of the island. It is also a scenic spot for the fantasy small forest. If a few people come here to play, booking a BBQ barbecue in advance will enhance the gaming experience.

There are two ways out of the island, one is by boat, and the other is through a wooden boardwalk. Regular wooden boardwalks are more suitable for taking photos. If you have poor foot strength, choose to take a boat by water to leave.

The sky has left no trace of me, but I have flown by

It is a must do thing to come to Xiazhu Lake to watch birds. During the journey by boat, you will always see the birds living here flying freely. After arriving on the island, you will also see them resting on branches or jumping back and forth for fun. You will also see piles of sunbathing by the grass by the lake, flapping your wings and admiring your figure.

The observation deck on the first island is very good for bird watching, where you can see many birds flying around in the distant bushes or reeds.

This is an interesting sight of the white egret on the land that has been looking out all along as the ship sailed towards Crested Ibis Island.

Although it was a typhoon day, birds were still flying hard and did not stop soaring in the sky due to the strong wind.

Summer Ice House - Absolutely Iced and Refreshing

In addition to viewing the essence of the three islands, Xiazhu Lake has recently added an ice and snow world - igloo. The location is near the tourist center. In the scorching summer, even if wrapped in a thick coat, entering the ice house can instantly cool down. It can be said that the temperature inside and outside is a combination of ice and fire.

Xiazhu Lake Ice and Snow World was carved by a team of gold medal winners from the 2018 Harbin Ice Sculpture Competition. In the Ice Sculpture Museum, there are not only various exquisite ice sculpture photos, but also a variety of entertainment projects, such as the ultra long circular ice skating track for playing. Experience skiing on a vertical ski island.

I personally think the excitement of an ice house lies in the huge temperature difference between inside and outside, especially in the summer when the outdoor temperature is close to 40 degrees Celsius. When entering the ice house, it instantly drops by a few degrees Celsius, which has a refreshing cooling effect for the hot summer season. Moreover, for me, a nearsighted person, the most profound experience is that after coming out of the ice house, my glasses instantly become a layer of ice mist, including the camera lens.

Ice House Tips
When playing in the ice house, it is necessary to take protective measures, follow the instructions, wear cotton clothes, and pay attention to safety while playing.
Adult ticket: 40 yuan per person, children's ticket 20 yuan per person, elderly ticket 20 yuan per person
Online ticket purchase: 35 yuan per person for children, 16 yuan per person for the elderly, 16 yuan per person (online tickets need to be booked one day in advance)
Business hours: 8:00-21:00

Xiazhu Lake Play Tips

traffic
Self drive from Shanghai to Shanghai Hangzhou Ningbo Expressway, get off at the Linping exit, go through Provincial Highway 09 or Tongde Highway from wutong Town, Tongxiang City to Deqing Xiazhu Lake, the whole journey takes about two hours from Hangzhou Shangzhonghe Elevated Highway to Hangzhou Nanjing Expressway, go to Qianyuan and Xinshi at the Deqing exit, and go through Provincial Highway 09 to Deqing Xiazhu Lake, the whole journey takes about half an hour.
The vicinity of Xiazhu Lake is the Deqing High speed Railway Station, and it is also very convenient to get off the high-speed railway and take a taxi to the scenic area.
admission ticket
80 yuan (including a 40 yuan shipping ticket)
Opening Hours
08:00-16:00 (Monday Sunday, January 1st to December 31st)

Xiazhu Lake is also the filming location for the recently aired variety show Fantasy Forest. Before going here, I specifically watched several episodes of this program. Xiazhu Lake is indeed very suitable for shooting outdoor education programs, and it has great scientific significance.

Write at the end

The busy work on weekdays and the need for rest on weekends make it a great choice to choose a place for a day of leisure when traveling. The trip to Xiazhu Lake this time can be said to be just one day long. We will depart in the morning and return after the trip in the afternoon. This kind of gameplay intensity is just right, and it's best not to play and rest for two days a day on weekends.
Overall, Zhuhu Lake is worth spending time exploring.