Tianlong Lake

Tianlong Lake was originally the ancient city moat of Xiayi County, with a long history dating back to the Warring States Period. After renovation and expansion over successive dynasties, the lake took its final shape in the first year of the Zhengde reign of the Ming Dynasty (1511 AD). Following 17 phases of dredging and excavation, an inner lake and an outer lake were formed along the city wall, covering a total area of 3,000 mu.

In the spring of 1992, the comprehensive development plan for the city lake — the largest project with the most labourers and investment in Xiayi’s history — was approved by the county people's congress and put into practice. In that year, more than 25,000 migrant workers and over 20 million yuan were invested. After more than four months of dredging and reconstruction, the first phase of the project was completed.

Later, nearly 5 million yuan was invested to build a series of scenic facilities, including the main gate, asphalt roads circling the lake, an octagonal pavilion, the Zigzag Bridge, the Moon Bridge, an islet in the centre of the lake, and a huge stone sculpture of eight dragons playing with water.

Today, Tianlong Lake surrounding the ancient Xiayi City consists of eight connected water areas, shining like a bright pearl embedded in eastern Henan. Along the ten-li long dyke, poplars and willows cast green reflections on the rippling water. Fish dart about in the clear lake, stirring up circles of ripples. Men, women and children stroll leisurely across the Zigzag Bridge chatting freely. Laughter fills the amusement park.

The age-old city moat has regained great vitality and become an ideal destination for sightseeing, boating, angling and leisure.