Qiandao Lake

Qiandao Lake, often called Thousand Island Lake, is an artificial reservoir in Chun’an County, Zhejiang Province, China, created by damming the Xin’an River in 1959. The reservoir is known for its many forested islets and clear waters.

The lake holds more than one thousand islands; commonly cited figures list about 1,078 islets that vary in size and are a focus for boat tours, island-hopping and lakeside recreation. Popular activities include boat cruises, hiking on larger islands and visiting lakeside resorts.

The reservoir also covers the submerged ancient city of Shicheng (Lion City), which lies intact below the waterline and is noted by divers and researchers for its preserved stone structures. Scenic viewpoints and ferry services link the lake’s main tourist piers.

Qiandao Lake was formed when the Xin’an River was dammed for hydroelectric power in 1959, flooding valleys and ancient settlements. The newly created landscape rapidly became a regional tourist destination for its island-studded waters.

Qiandao Lake is in Chun’an County, Zhejiang Province in eastern China, within a mountainous, forested area of the province.

• Islands and formation: Formed in 1959 by damming the Xin'an River, the reservoir created more than 1,000 islands; the commonly cited count is about 1,078 islands scattered across the lake.
• Submerged city: The submerged city of Shicheng lies intact below the lake surface and is occasionally visited by specialised diving tours and researchers.

What to See #

• Shicheng (Lion City): The submerged ancient city known as Shicheng or Lion City lies underwater beneath the lake and is noted for well-preserved stone architecture dating to before the lake's creation.
• Thousand islands: The lake contains more than one thousand islands formed by hilltops left above the reservoir when the valley was flooded after dam construction in 1959.