"The Finest Waters Under Heaven" - Qiandao Lake, the man-made wonder, is truly breathtaking!

My first visit to Qiandao Lake coincided with temperatures soaring to 33°C. While it was quite hot, the lakeside breeze made it pleasantly bearable. Morning jogs surrounded by mountains and waters were invigorating, while days were spent leisurely at the tranquil Annan Resort. 1. First, some background: Qiandao Lake, located in Chun'an County, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, is a lake dotted with 1,078 islands, hence its name "Thousand-Island Lake." This stunning lake is not only a national 5A-level tourist attraction but also renowned worldwide for its crystal-clear waters and unique islands, earning it the title "The Finest Waters Under Heaven." 2. Qiandao Lake was formed during a major water conservancy project in early New China. In 1955, to control flooding in the Yangtze River basin and ensure power supply for East China, the government decided to build a large hydropower station on the Xin'an River. In April 1957, tens of thousands of workers gathered in Chun'an to begin construction of New China's first self-designed large-scale hydropower station. After two and a half years of hard work, the Xin'an River Dam was completed in September 1959, creating a reservoir the size of Singapore. 3. This project transformed the geography of western Zhejiang: areas below 108 meters in elevation were permanently submerged, including two ancient cities - "Lion City" Sui'an (established in the Eastern Han Dynasty) and "He City" Chun'an (founded in 208 AD) - along with 49 townships and 1,377 villages. About 300,000 local residents relocated, writing an epic migration story. Today, these submerged ancient cities remain well-preserved. Underwater archaeological photos published by Chinese National Geographic in 2011 revealed the mysterious beauty of this "Oriental Atlantis." 4. Through natural processes and human management, Qiandao Lake has developed a unique ecosystem. With water transparency reaching 7-12 meters, it's classified as a national Grade I drinking water source, supplying nearly 10 million Hangzhou residents and serving as the water source for brands like Nongfu Spring. The lake's islands, like emerald pearls, nurture 1,786 plant species and 94 rare animal species, including 26 under national key protection. 5. Chun'an residents have always balanced tourism development with ecological protection. The county has designated 86% of its area as ecological red lines, implemented strict water quality protection systems, and innovated technologies like "big data fishing monitoring" and "ecological floating islands for water purification." In 2020, Qiandao Lake became China's first "Special Ecological Function Area," maintaining consistent Grade I water quality and setting an example for large artificial lake ecosystem management. 6. Self-driving: Navigate directly to Qiandao Lake Town, Hangzhou, Zhejiang. Public transport: From major cities, first reach Chun'an city, then take bus K002 to Rose Garden stop, or buses K002/K005 to Chun'an High School stop, then proceed to Qiandao Lake pier. 7. Daily cruises from Qiandao Lake pier visit main attractions in Central Lake and Southeast Lake areas. Central Lake attractions include Meifeng Island (panoramic views), Longshan Island, Moonlight Island (Five-Dragon Island), and Yule Island. Southeast Lake features Tianchi Island, Mishan Island, and Huangshanjian Peak.