Taihu, or Lake Tai, one of the largest freshwater lakes within the Yangtze River Delta, and one of the largest lakes in all of China - indeed, Lake Tai is China's third-largest freshwater lake - is situated in the southernmost part of Jiangsu Province, with part of the lake's southern boundary forming the common border between Jiangsu Province to the north and Zhejiang Province to the south. Lake Tai covers an area of some 2250 square kilometers, gives birth to a number of smaller rivers - including Suzhou Creek, which flows through first Suzhou and then Shanghai on its way to the sea - and is linked to the Grand Canal. Lake Tai encompasses about 90 islands and islets, some no larger than the size of a backyard trampoline while others span several square miles.
Taihu Lake is just like a bright pearl set in the Yangtze River delta. It crosses Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, where 48 islets of different sizes and 72 peaks and peninsulas along the lake combine to form a panorama of great natural beauty. The best place to view the beautiful Taihu Lake is on the Turtle Head Islet. Turtle Head Islet is an islet stretching into the lake, whose shape is really like the head of a turtle protruding from the water. Taihu Lake and the surrounding magnificence will bewitch your eyes when you climb onto Turtle Head. When the soft breezes blow, waves roll and the hills in the distance look like an overlapping landscape painting. The scene is really captivating. Turtle Head Islet Park is mainly made of the natural landscape, augmented by man-made additions. Flowers and trees can be seen everywhere. Various kinds of architecture are strategically placed among the trees and shrubs. All conspire to make the park graceful and elegant.
The lake one sees today, though beginning to be plagued by the same pollution that one sees throughout China these days, is an exotic image dotted with numerous islets - and a few genuine islands - and is home to a multitude of birds as well as waterfowl such as the duck and the goose (duck and goose "farms" exist on the lake) as well as numerous fishes. Fruit orchards surround the lake, which has become a popular venue for city dwellers (eg., Shanghai is only 50 kilometers due east of Lake Tai) seeking to escape the summer heat. Various boating options are available on Lake Tai, but given the lake's enormous expanse, there is still room enough for everyone.
Besides the natural scenery of Taihu Lake, there are many ruins of historic sites, such as the Grand Canal of the Sui Dynasty (581-618), the Islets in the lake along with the coastal places in the east, the north and the west both of which are the cradle land of the culture of Wuyue (this culture touches on traditions that flow from or refer to Jiangsu, Zhejiang and the southeast part of Anhui Province today) and so on.
Taihu Lake is an abundant source of fish. Traveling there, you can taste the famous delicious food known as 'Taihu Lake Three Whites', including white shrimp, whitebait and whitefish. The feast is generally prepared in the boat as one floats on the placid waters of Taihu Lake. It is very well worth a visit.
Admission Fee: CNY 105 (Yuantouzhu,including the ship fare)
Ship Route: Take regular ship at Yuantouzhu Wharf (The last ship is at 15:00)