Sitting on mountains and waters, the city of Xuzhou is fascinating for its long-standing Han culture, as well as the natural beauty hidden in its gorgeous landscapes. The charm of Yunlong Lake, the legends of Maling Mountain and the refreshing feeling of Pan’an Lake — all reflect the profound history of the two periods of Han dynasty. The pleasant and wide wetlands here are given some sense of mystery. Just embrace the fascinating landscape of Pengcheng (ancient name of Xuzhou) with picturesque sceneries and intriguing stories.
Yunlong Lake Scenic Area
Flanked by lush green hills, there lies the Yunlong Lake scenic area, a lake with mist and waves. It is rated as “the No. 1 Tourist Destination” in Xuzhou by virtue of its charming landscape and cultural heritage. Yunlong Lake and Yunlong Mountain are two important elements of the scenic area, adding radiance and beauty to each other, attracting people from both the ancient and the modern society. Consisting of East Lake, West Lake and Small South Lake, Yunlong Lake has a water coverage of 7.5 square kilometers. Pavilions, winding bridges and paths, shades of willows and lotuses in the scenic area together present a picturesque vista, which makes the small but elegant lake uniquely appealing. Boating on Yunlong Lake, the beauty and splendor of Jiangnan will gradually unfold as you row.
Yunlong Mountain, adjacent to Yunlong Lake, looks like a huge cyan dragon from a distance, with its head to the north and tail to the south, as if flying in the clouds and mist. Many cultural relics can be found in the mountains, including the big stone Buddha statue from the Northern Wei Dynasty, the cliff inscriptions from the Tang and Song Dynasties, the Fanghe Pavilion and the Yinhe Springs from the Song Dynasty, the Xinghua Temple from the Ming Dynasty, and the Portrait Stone Museum of Han Dynasty, etc. All these landscapes and cultures blend here, bringing out unique charm of Yunlong Mountain.
Maling Mountain Scenic Area
Maling Mountain, which originates from Mount Tai and stretches for 400 kilometers, was named after the famous Battle of Maling. Although not high, it has multiple ranges of hills with lush greenery. The forest coverage here is over 90%. With dense forests, deep ditches, winding streams, and the misty air, it is a natural oxygen bar for visitors to enjoy the nature. There are many lakes to be explored in Maling Mountain Scenic Area, such as Sanxian Lake, Huangchao Lake and Chantang Lake, which looks like pieces of crystal jade embedded in the winding peaks.
Maling Mountain not only boasts fascinating natural scenic spots such as the Great Forest, the Dalong Waterfall and the Yaochi Wonderland, but also has many world-famous cultural relics, including the Huating Ancient Culture Scenic Spot, the Qianlong Palace, the Sanxian Cave Scenic Spot, the Cangbing (Hiding Soldier) Cave and the Maling Ancient Road, etc. When you wander around, you cannot help but think about the ancient times. In addition, the Dinosaur Park of Maling Mountain also satisfies tourists’ curiosity towards the Jurassic.
Pan’an Lake Wetland Park
Pan’an Lake Wetland Park sits in wetlands covering lands of thousands of mu. With lush fir forests, natural grasslands and reeds growing freely, it forms a natural oxygen bar. Boating in the park, you can have a close experience of the wetland ecology such as water, grass, fish and birds. Besides, the 1km bird-watching walkway is definitely a great place for you to enjoy the dynamic view of various birds living in harmony.
Among large and small islands in the wetland, Pan’an Gucun (literally meaning “ancient village”) Island is the largest one. The island is like a utopian world lushing with old trees. The ancient pagoda (Guta), Shuishen Temple and Pan’an old street have witnessed its history of 2,000 years. The Butterfly Island is a European-style island with European-style streets, Western-style churches, and European-style villas, etc., being an ideal place for wedding photography. Besides, there is the Joy Island, which is the destination for adventure sports such as surfing and bungee jumping; as well as the Drunken Flower Island, Pomegranate Island and Pipa Island, all of which are fascinating and intriguing, waiting for your visit.
