Dongqian Lake, located in the southeastern suburbs of Ningbo, is three to four times larger than Hangzhou’s West Lake. However, with various paid scenic spots developed along its shores, it may seem slightly commercial in comparison. To enjoy the beauty of Dongqian Lake, one can either pay to enter the scenic areas or, for a more leisurely experience, young people often prefer to cycle around the lake, enjoying the scenery and taking photos.
Several scenic spots are distributed around Dongqian Lake, including Xiao Putuo, Tao Gong Island, Fuquan Mountain, the Southern Song Dynasty Stone Carving Site Park, and the Yageer Zoo. There are also some natural villages and small parks, and it is common to spend a weekend visiting a few places of interest, rather than touring all the attractions. There are multiple bus routes around Dongqian Lake that can take you to almost all the main scenic spots, which is very convenient. Among the popular sites, Xiao Putuo is a causeway in the lake and a highly popular spot in Dongqian Lake, with many people visiting the Xiayu Zen Temple in the center of the lake to burn incense and pray. One can take an electric cart to the Water Guanyin statue, but it is more recommended to walk along the causeway to enjoy the scenery of Dongqian Lake. Crossing the bridge from Xiao Putuo leads to Tao Gong Island on the west side of the lake, a popular local barbecue spot suitable for group activities. Visitors who are short on time do not necessarily need to visit this place specifically. For those visiting with children, the Yageer Zoo to the north of Dongqian Lake is a good choice, offering not only lovely animals but also amusement rides such as carousels and bumper cars. Exploring Dongqian Lake: The spots suitable for exploring are concentrated on the east side of the lake. The Southern Song Dynasty Stone Carving Site Park by the lake contains the tombs of prime ministers from five dynasties of the Southern Song Dynasty. Besides the imposing tomb paths and stone archways, there are over 200 lifelike stone statues. The museum within the park outlines the history of the Southern Song Dynasty and the development of stone carving, and visitors can also see many stone carvings from the surrounding areas, which are worth savoring. Not far to the south of the park, on Fuquan Mountain, there are vast tea fields with pleasant scenery. During the peak season, one can also enjoy tea at the tea houses on the mountain. Private cars are not allowed, and there is a shuttle bus to the mountain from the ticket booth at the foot of the mountain, which only departs when full, making it difficult to wait during the off-season, so be prepared. It takes about an hour to hike up the mountain. Cycling Around Dongqian Lake: In addition to visiting scenic spots, cycling around Dongqian Lake is a very popular activity, allowing one to leisurely appreciate the lake and mountain scenery and natural villages along the shore. There are dedicated bicycle lanes along the lake, and the scenic area authorities also recommend cycling routes suitable for different groups. Bicycle rental stations are available at various locations, including the visitor center, the water park to the south, Ma Shan Wetland, and the Yageer Zoo to the north. Additionally, there are several docks by the lake with water buses, rowing boats, and speedboats, allowing one to travel to and from the scenic spots along the shore or to charter a boat for a tour around Dongqian Lake.Open all year round and open all day. The opening hours of paid scenic spots are generally from 8:00 to 17:00.
Parking lot: [There are lined parking spaces along the road from Hanling to Shangshui Village]. Reference price: free. Address: Along the road from Hanling to Shangshui Village. Number of spaces: 200. Luggage storage: Reference price: free. Address: -. Transportation within the park: Reference price: 3 yuan/person/time. Address: -. Toilets: There are multiple toilets in the park, and there are eye-catching signs in the scenic area.
