Lotus Island is located in the northeast of the ancient city of Suzhou, surrounded by water on three sides. It is named for its resemblance to a lotus flower, elegantly set amidst the lake. The island spans an area of 3.2 square kilometers and is home to over 300 households, each living off the lake and engaging in the crab industry. With its vast waters and exceptional water quality, it is the birthplace of the authentic Yangcheng Lake clear water hairy crabs, earning it the title of ‘Hometown of the Hairy Crabs’.
The island features attractions and projects such as the Memory Garden, the Medicine Buddha Temple, the Sanyuan Mansion, the West Spit Wetland, the Earth Art, the Windmill Array, the Cow Watering Performance, and the Water Wheel, offering both visual pleasure and experiential activities.
With the rise of rural tourism, an increasing number of tourists are drawn to the island, creating an integrated industry service chain that includes dining, accommodation, travel, entertainment, and shopping, turning Lotus Island into a thriving vacation and leisure destination.
The Memory Garden Museum covers an area of over 5000 square meters, showcasing the complete ecological, productive, and lifestyle aspects of Yangcheng Lake. It not only restores the original ecological way of life on Lotus Island but also uses artistic techniques to represent the folk customs of the entire Jiangnan water town. The museum includes: the序厅, the central courtyard, the fishing industry hall, the water town wedding hall, the water town clothing hall, the historical and cultural hall, and the folk customs hall.
The water wheel, an irrigation tool used in ancient times, was popular in most parts of China. When used, the operator would step on the lever, causing the large wheel to rotate, which in turn moved the boards in the groove to carry water upwards and pour it into the fields. This water-lifting facility has a long history and is also known as the ‘dragon bone water wheel’ because of its shape.
The Yangcheng Lake Lotus Island covers an area of 36.5 acres with a construction area of 6,848 square meters, consisting of three main parts: an ecological parking lot, a distribution building, and a cruise ship dock. Designed by the renowned architect Kengo Kuma, the building features a layered thatched roof, embodying the essence of the Jiangnan countryside; its vast triangular roof resembles a mountain range stretching along the lakeside, perfectly integrating with nature.
This place has become a new cultural landmark, a fresh cultural window by Yangcheng Lake, and a base for innovation and entrepreneurship, now well-known as a popular internet celebrity check-in spot. Operating Hours: Open all year round from 09:00 to 16:00. Preferential Policies: Children under 1.2 meters (inclusive) enter for free; children between 1.2 meters (exclusive) and 1.4 meters (inclusive) purchase children’s tickets at half price. Journalists with valid press cards enter for free. Service Facilities: Parking Lot – [Lotus Island Scenic Area Parking Lot], Reference Price: ¥10/hour; Address: Yangcheng Lake Tourism Distribution Center, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province; Capacity: 500 spots. The above information is for reference only; specific details are subject to what is available on-site. Must-Know Tips: 1. Avoid eating hairy crabs with strong tea or persimmons, as it may cause stomach pain or even lead to the formation of stones requiring hospitalization. 2. Some hairy crabs from other places are rinsed in the waters of Yangcheng Lake and are considered ‘bathing crabs’. Most tourists cannot distinguish them, but the taste is equally praised. When coming here to eat crabs, it’s all about the atmosphere.
