Yunlong Lake, Xuzhou – Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights

Small South Lake, an integral part of the Yunlong Lake complex, graces the southern shores of Yunlong Lake. While its waters are directly connected to Yunlong Lake through a bridge, a road and green belt separate the two bodies, leading to its distinct name, Small South Lake.

Within Small South Lake lies the charming Autumn Rhyme Garden, a landscape transformed from a fishpond and reed-covered wasteland. This garden, ideal for autumnal appreciation, showcases over 50 varieties of deciduous trees, shrubs, and ground cover plants. Notable species include the Ussurian Pear and maple trees, turning vibrant red in the fall, the Ginkgo Biloba, adorning the lake with golden-yellow leaves, and the Hibiscus mutabilis, changing its flower color several times a day.

Adding to the allure is the Jieyou Bridge, a single-arch bridge located in the southeastern part of Small South Park. The bridge appears to hover in the air, offering a panoramic view of the lake and surrounding hills. The bridge is named after Liu Jieyou, the granddaughter of Liu Wu, the second generation of the Chu Kingdom during the Western Han Dynasty. To maintain peace and contribute to the nation’s well-being, she willingly married a prince from the Wusun Kingdom in a politically motivated union.

Further enhancing the scenic experience is the Fan Yue Bridge, a covered bridge positioned in the central part of Small South Lake, connecting to Minghe Island in the east and Sugong Island in the west. Resembling a curved boat and crescent moon, standing on the Fan Yue Bridge provides a breathtaking vista of Small South Lake. What sets this bridge apart is the exquisite artwork adorning the roof of the 80-meter-long corridor, featuring a collection of 17 beautifully painted scenes, adding cultural richness to the natural splendor of Small South Lake.

Xuzhou Water World stands as a grand aquatic marvel situated on the central island of Yunlong Lake, designated as a 4A scenic area. Resembling a majestic whale breaking the surface or a serene white dolphin resting on the waves, its iconic image is beautifully captured in a “Jinxiu Zhonghua” purple sand relief, displayed on the central hall wall of the Beijing Great Hall of the People.

Established on August 18, 1994, Xuzhou Water World holds the distinction of being the largest freshwater aquarium in Asia. It comprises two major sections: the Freshwater Fish Aquarium and the Marine Rare Biological Specimens Museum. The Freshwater Fish Aquarium showcases hundreds of precious fish species from 35 countries and regions worldwide, including many categorized as first and second-level protected animals in China, such as the Chinese sturgeon, Yangtze alligator, and Discus fish. The Marine Rare Biological Specimens Museum displays thousands of specimens representing seven major categories, including fish, turtles, shrimp, crabs, clams, and corals, presenting a diverse collection of extraordinary marine life.

Xuzhou Water World offers various captivating performances, featuring sea lion and seal shows, synchronized performances with human and sharks, and mesmerizing mermaid displays. The newly introduced 4D cinema showcases high-tech, immersive entertainment films that transport visitors into simulated scenes of prehistoric dinosaurs, deep-sea explorations, and volcanic eruptions, engaging their senses through sight, sound, touch, and smell.

Adding an interactive dimension, Xuzhou Water World provides opportunities for visitor participation. Equipped with diving suits, oxygen tanks, and shark-proof gloves, participants, under the guidance of professional diving instructors, can submerge into simulated underwater tunnels to dance with sharks and swim alongside turtles, creating an unforgettable and immersive underwater experience.

Xinghua Temple, located at the eastern foot of Yunlong Mountain, is a Zen Buddhist temple with a rich history dating back to the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty in 1390. Its origins trace back to the construction of the Great Stone Buddha, making it a venerable center of Buddhism in northern Jiangsu. The Great Stone Buddha, an image of Amitabha Buddha, initially carved during the Northern Wei Dynasty around 450 AD. Carved directly into the mountain rock, the statue stands approximately 11 meters tall. Originally an exposed Buddha head, during the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty, the arms and chest were added to complete the statue.

The hall that now houses the Great Stone Buddha was constructed during the Ming Dynasty, following the contours of the mountain. Within the precincts of Xinghua Temple, Ming-era structures such as the bell and drum towers, ancestral hall, and scripture repository still stand, along with a three-ton iron bell. In June 1993, during the construction of the Mahavira Hall, seven groups of 195 Buddhist cliff carvings from the Tang and Song Dynasties were unearthed. A protective pavilion was subsequently built to allow visitors to marvel at these ancient treasures, offering a glimpse into the rich Buddhist heritage of Xinghua Temple. The temple stands as a serene sanctuary that not only venerates a centuries-old stone Buddha but also preserves and showcases the architectural and artistic legacy of its Ming Dynasty origins.

Xuzhou Museum

Huaihai Battle Memorial Hall

Pengzu Garden Xuzhou

Xuzhou Art Museum of Han Stone Carvings

Yunlong Park