Cuihu Lake, Yuechi, Guang'an

Open all day

10 RMB per person

0826-5222079

Guang'an sits in the transitional zone between the basin bottom and mountainous fringe of the Sichuan Basin, with terrain rising gradually from west to east. It features a subtropical humid monsoon climate, boasting mild temperatures and high humidity. The annual average temperature hovers around 17°C, with an average annual precipitation of 1,217 millimeters. Winters and springs are warm with scarce rainfall; summers are sweltering and rainy; autumns are marked by persistent drizzles.

0826-96927

Guang'an enjoys an extensive highway network. Both the total mileage and average density of highways within the city exceed national and Sichuan provincial averages. The Guang'an-Linshui section of the Guang'an-Chongqing Expressway is open to traffic, and all remaining segments were fully completed before 2004. It takes only one hour to drive from Guang'an to Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport for air travel connections. After the Guang'an-Nanchong section of the Shanghai-Chengdu Expressway opened to traffic in 2004, the drive from Guang'an to Chengdu takes merely 2.5 hours. The planned Nanchong-Chongqing Expressway will run through Wusheng County. Upon completion, expressways will connect all counties, county-level cities and districts under Guang'an, integrating the city into the Chengdu-Chongqing-Shanghai tourism and economic belt.

Three national highways pass through Guang'an: G210, G212 and G335. Four provincial highways including the Shizhu-Nanchong route, as well as two county highways (Yuechi-Wusheng Road and Guang'an-Wusheng Road) traverse the region. Interlaced national, provincial and county highways form a transportation framework known as "Three Horizontal Arteries and Four Vertical Arteries", with railways and highways as its backbone. Nowadays, it takes at most 30 minutes by car from downtown Guang'an to any county, city or district under its jurisdiction — a well-known local infrastructure project dubbed the "Half-Hour Access Project".

Known as the "West Lake of Eastern Sichuan", Cuihu Lake boasts picturesque mountains and clear waters. It gets its name from the lush green mountain scenery surrounding it, yet a single character "cui (green)" can hardly capture its charm. Its landscapes shift splendidly with the four seasons: In spring, climb the Lake View Tower to behold turquoise waters merging with the azure sky. A jade ribbon-like long dike stretches across the lake, framed by blooming peach blossoms and tender green willows woven into an exquisite tapestry. In summer, retreat to Qinfang Garden for tea and refreshments. Gaze at Jincheng Mountain veiled in mist and clouds, and listen to the thunderous waterfall cascading down the spillway, instantly soothing body and mind.

In autumn, head to Jianshan Temple on the lake’s islet. The elegant Silver Wind Pagoda, naturally shaped Turtle Hill, and powerful calligraphy on the stele forest hold visitors spellbound. In winter, visit Longhua Mountain encircled by clear waters. Here you can admire carved beams inscribed with poems and paintings, ancient banyan trees twisting skyward, and embrace the serene aura of Buddhism.

Cuihu Lake’s unique landscapes, millennia-old ancient tomb clusters, thriving Buddhist temples, and touching folk legends together forge its distinctive, mysterious historical and cultural charm, drawing countless visitors to explore ancient relics and unwind on vacation. It is now a National A-level tourist attraction.

On the right side of the dam stands the Lake View Tower, inscribed by the great calligrapher Zhao Yunyu. The three-story tower offers panoramic vistas from every floor; upon looking out, layered mountain ridges and all lake scenery unfold before your eyes. A pair of stone lions, one male and one female, guard the tower entrance and attract crowds. The male lion clutches a pearl in its jaws, half swallowing it in an adorably clumsy pose. On the left side of the dam lies Qinfang Tower, with crimson pillars and cyan tiles adorned with swirling dragon carvings. It exudes timeless antiquity and tranquil seclusion.

Another landmark of Cuihu Lake is Jianshan Temple. Past a covered corridor stands the Pavilion of Return, with an inscription by master sculptor Liu Kaiqu. Two couplets grace its interior and exterior: "Oars cut the moon beneath the waves; boats press the water’s core." "Enjoy your fill and take your leave; return another day to seek hidden wonders." The verses brim with wit and delight.

Ascend dozens of stone steps to reach Silver Wind Pagoda, inscribed by Chu Tunan. From this vantage point, visitors can admire the Eight Views of Cuihu Lake: the Jade Ribbon Long Dike, Autumn Moon over Fragrant Garden, Silver Wind Pagoda Reflected, Sunset Glow on Longhua Mountain, Mist Shrouding the Calm Lake, Spillway Waterfall, Panoramic View from Turtle Hill, and Mist and Clouds over Jincheng Mountain.

The three-story Silver Wind Pagoda features windows on each level framing lake and mountain views. Standing by the windows as soft breezes brush your face brings instant comfort, echoed by a couplet: "Climb the tower to step beyond mortal bounds; behold natural wonders amid pure scenery." Every corner brims with profound tranquility and matchless beauty.