East Lake Scenic Area is the biggest recreation and amusement park in Wuhan City. Located in the eastern Wuhan City, East Lake Scenic Area has been listed as a grade 4A scenic area in 2001.
Covering an area of about 88 square kilometers (21,745 acres) with a water surface of about 33 square kilometers (8,154 acres), the whole scenic area is made up of five lakes joined and fed by the Yangtze River. The lake can hold up to more than five times the amount of water of West Lake in Hangzhou City. The whole lake system features a long and irregular lakeside with islands dotted in, which are reached easily by ferry. The heavily timbered mountains surrounding the lake give the whole area a tranquil and secluded feel. In addition, the lake is home to many species of fish, among which the Wuchang Fish is the most famous.
Blessed with sufficient rainfall and sunshine all year round, the lake area is famous for its densely distributed plants. There are more than 250 species of plants, such as Snow Pines, Dawn Redwoods (Shui-Has), and Camphor trees. Various flowers also decorate the scenic area. Orchids in spring, lotus in summer, laurel in autumn and plum in winter all contribute to the full beauty of the park.
The East Lake Scenic Area offers a music fountain, several pavilions, and historic relics. A sculpture park focused on several Chinese traditional fable stories is found in the south end of the Tingtao viewing district. The Xingyin Pavilion, on an island in the northwest of the lake, was built for commemorating Qu Yuan - a great poet of ancient China. The Changtian Pavilion, built in 1956, is made in traditional architecture with a royal palace style. Further explorations can be done in the Muoshan mountain range with its ridge extending into the east bank of the lake.
Entrance Fee: Free for the East Lake
CNY 60 for the Mo Hill; CNY 30 for the Plum Garden
Opening Hours: 07:00 - 19:00
Transportation:
A. Take Bus No. 8, 402, 411, 534, 537, 473, 605 or 712 and get off at Liyuan;
B. Take Bus No. 401, 402, 413, 515 or 643 and get off at Mo Hil;
C. Take Bus No. 18, 25, 518, 702 or 702 and get off at Ma'anshan Forest Park.
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