mmediately as I walked towards the steel gated entrance of Ting Tao (听涛景区), the scorching heat from the sun, warm granite concrete and manifold of emerald trees greeted me. I was thrilled to venture through the famous grounds of what is known as the largest “City Lake” in China. The lake is divided into four areas: Ting Tao, Chui Di, (吹笛), Luo Yan (落雁) and Mo Shan (磨山).

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At first glance, the entrance area of East Lake looked extremely commercialised. To the left is a row of small shops catering to the needs of visitors, which provides refreshments and souvenirs. 

 

I walked towards the modern stalls and finally started exploring the lake. Strolling beside the enchanting waters, the cracked grounds told me rain had been sparse this summer and the burning heat required some getting used to. Walking around and looking into the lake was extremely therapeutic. I took a route which lead me to a bridge overlooking the area. 

Standing on the bridge, the first thing that stood out was the vast area of matte dull green water lilies, with a subtle hue of pink-red flowers in-between them. They were easily an eye stopper. It felt larger than life, comparable to art at a museum or a perfect water coloured image seen in storybooks, the crystal clear waters were sparkling like diamonds.

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Across this lake, isolated in the corner is a traditional tea house, Cha Shen Xiang Pu (茶神像蒲). Striking a lovely conversation with one of the many amicable staff, Zhou Luo (周洛), who mentioned how East Lake is the perfect place to clear your mind and rejuvenate yourself.

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As per her recommendation, Mo Shan; one of the other three areas that make up East Lake is a must-see place, when given the luxury of time. The area is a hotspot destination for couples who wish to capture their engagement or wedding photographs. 

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As I curiously wandered from the tea house, I chanced upon a flight of stairs and a small rest area that sits on the peak. It provided breath-taking scenic views from all angles showcasing the abundance of towering Willow trees lining the lake. 

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Dragonflies populate the area and what seemed to be diamonds flickering from the sun’s reflection on the water surface was actually fish jumping in and out of the waters. Wandering further, located beside the waters is Tingtao Inn of Wine, a restaurant offering local fish dishes.

 

Further along the pathway is Lu Xun Square. Immediately upon stepping foot on the grounds, a large bronze statue commemorating the late patriotic poet Qu Yuan (屈原) greeted me. This added a unique insight into Chinese culture by a simple visit to East Lake, making the trip a holistic experience. 

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The friendly locals definitely further enriched my entire experience as I came across a group of middle-aged men engaged in their passionate discussion. I took a chance to ask if they happened to know the species of trees that lined the lake. They not only enthusiastically shared with me but also took the time to further engage in conversation. They agreed that each visit to East Lake brought each of them calmness and tranquillity into their hectic day-to-day lives.  

Wandering off a little further, traditional boat services which ferries visitors to Mo Shan can be found. Not only is it an aesthetically pleasing spot for photographs, but it is also home to multiple botanic gardens, populated with different species of plants and flowers. 

 

Finally, tucked away in the corner of my eye was the Hubei Speciality Distributor Centre. It is the perfect place to purchase local traditional Wuhan snacks for myself and my loved ones back home.

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Returning to the entrance, I reflected upon my afternoon as my escapade came in full circle. East Lake is definitely an enchanting sight comparable to Singapore’s Botanic Gardens which I frequently visited as a child with my parents. It reminded me of home and brought back my child-like sense of curiosity and open-mindedness.