Qingshan Island, also known as Qingtan, is located in northern Hunan Province. It is an isolated natural island in South Dongting Lake, 20 kilometres north of Xiangyin County seat. The island covers a land area of 11.2 square kilometres with an inner lake stretching across 6,000 mu. Shaped like a giant lobster, it features a zonal hilly terrain running from north to south. The island is roughly 10,000 metres long from north to south and 1,000 metres wide from east to west. Its average elevation stands at 38 metres, and the highest point reaches 50 metres. To the south lies Hengling Lake; to the north is Shangheyeye Lake; to the east are Meizi Lake and the Xiangjiang River, with the Qu Yuan Administrative District on the eastern bank.

Surrounded by vast mist-shrouded lake waters on all sides, Qingshan Island often echoes with fishermen’s antiphonal songs. One of the famous Eight Views of Xiaoxiang in Dongting Lake — Sails Returning to Distant Shore — depicts exactly this island.

The Qing Dynasty poet Li Qingcheng wrote vividly about the scenery: Brocade sails glow far beside girls in pomegranate-red skirts; Fishermen’s songs drift across both riverbanks. Wild geese hurry home beneath the sunset glow; I would borrow the bright moon to mourn the Goddess of Xiang River.

Mi Fu of the Song Dynasty also left a classic account: Thin mist shimmers in sunlight; sunset glow shimmers on water. Leaf-like boats fly faster than winged birds. They brave the raging waves toward peaceful shores, Where families wait at the gate, greeting the returning fishermen with joyful smiles.

Qingshan Island is famous for its wetland ecology. Steep hills stand amid swaying reeds, presenting distinct scenery in four seasons. In late autumn, catkins drift all over the sky, filling the air with poetic charm.

The island sits on the Asia-Pacific migratory route, one of the world’s three major bird migration corridors. It is surrounded by open water covering about 500 square kilometres, with around 600,000 mu of lake shoals, willow groves and reed marshes. Thanks to Dongting Lake’s unique geography and superior wetland environment, massive flocks of northern birds come here to spend the winter. Between winter and spring, tens of thousands of migratory birds breed and inhabit the area. At the peak of migration, the total number of birds can exceed 200,000. In winter and early spring, the spectacular scene unfolds: flocks of birds block half the sky when taking flight and cover half the lake when settling down.

The island boasts profound historical and cultural heritage with numerous historic sites and relics. Archaeologists have uncovered multiple Neolithic fishing culture ruins here. Scholars remark that Qingshan Island is the birthplace of freshwater fishing culture in southern China and remains a thriving centre for modern freshwater fishery civilization.

According to historical records including Comprehensive Institutions of the Tang Dynasty, Geography of Territories, Yuanhe Maps and Records of Prefectures and Counties, and Xiangyin County Chronicle compiled by Guo Songtao in the Qing Dynasty, the two consorts of Emperor Shun followed him on his southern inspection tour. After his death, they drowned themselves in the lake and were buried on Qingshan Island.

The Mausoleum of the Two Consorts was originally built here and renamed Xiangling Temple in the Tang Dynasty. It was ranked the top scenic spot of Xiangyin since ancient times. Literary masters through the ages — Li Bai, Du Fu, Han Yu, Zhang Yue, Li He, Liu Yuxi, Su Dongpo and Xia Yuanji — left countless immortal poems here. The rebel army led by Yang Yao once stationed troops on this island as well.

Qingshan Island is one of only three remaining fishing villages nationwide and the last fishing village in Hunan Province. More than 1,000 islanders live in seclusion away from the outside world and enjoy peaceful family life