Wanfo Lake

1. Introduction

Wanfo Lake, located in Wanfo Lake Town, Shucheng County, Lu'an City, Anhui Province, is an important component of the Pi-Shi-Hang Irrigation District. It covers a water surface area of 50 square kilometers, has a shoreline of 205 kilometers, and a storage capacity of 903 million cubic meters. Geographic coordinates: 116°78′ East longitude, 31°30′ North latitude.

Wanfo Lake integrates mountains, water, springs, rocks, cliffs, ponds, caves, forests, flowers, hydraulic facilities, and cultural sites. The area features 6 types of physiographic landscapes, 4 types of water scenery, 4 types of biological landscapes, 25 types of historical sites and architecture, 9 types of leisure and fitness facilities, and 3 types of shopping venues.

In 2007, Wanfo Lake was honored with the titles of National Environmentally Beautiful Town and Provincial Best Tourism Town. In 2010, it was designated as one of the key tourist attractions in Anhui Province for promotion at the World Expo. In 2012, Wanfo Lake was awarded the title of Provincial Top Ten Tourist Attraction. In 2016, the Wanfo Lake Scenic Area in Lu'an City was successfully upgraded to a National 5A-level Tourist Attraction.

2. Geographical Environment

2.1 Location and Area

Wanfo Lake is located in Wanfo Lake Town, Shucheng County, Lu'an City, Anhui Province. It is a vital part of the Pi-Shi-Hang Water Conservancy Project, with a total area of 299 square kilometers, a water surface of 50 square kilometers, a shoreline of 205 kilometers, and a storage capacity of 903 million cubic meters. Geographic coordinates: 116°78′ East longitude, 31°30′ North latitude.

2.2 Climate Characteristics

Wanfo Lake is situated within Shucheng County, which lies in the northern subtropical humid climate zone. The climate is mild with four distinct seasons, abundant rainfall, and significant monsoons. The average total solar radiation is 112.6 kcal/cm², with 70.12 kcal/cm² from April to September, accounting for 62% of the annual total. The multi-year average sunshine duration is 1,969 hours, with 1,359 hours above 10°C, constituting 69% of the annual total. The multi-year average temperature ranges from 12.9°C to 14.6°C, with an extreme maximum of 40.5°C and an extreme minimum of -17°C. July is the hottest month, and January is the coldest. The multi-year average frost-free period is 224 days, with the first frost typically occurring around November 10 and the last frost around March 30. The multi-year average snow-free period is 270 days, with the first snow usually in late December and the last snow in early March. The multi-year average ground temperature is 17.8°C. Soil freezing depth is generally 5-6 cm, with a maximum of 10 cm. The period with temperatures stably above 10°C begins on March 31 and ends on November 14, lasting 229 days, with an active accumulated temperature of 4,972 degree-days.

3. Main Attractions

Overview Wanfo Lake is surrounded by mountains and features dozens of natural and cultural landscapes, including the artificial earth dam, Wanfo Stone Forest, cliff inscriptions, Crescent Moon Valley, the Neolithic sites at Wenjiadun and Dragon King Tree, Misty Meishan Mountain, Dragon Cypress Mountain Path, Zuo Ci's Fishing Platform and Guanyin Cave, Centaur Cliff, Green Bamboo Ridge, Egret Islet, as well as the Meiling Power Station, spillway, and Niujiaochong Intake Sluice. Wanfo Lake integrates mountains, water, springs, rocks, cliffs, ponds, caves, forests, flowers, hydraulic facilities, and cultural sites. The tourism resources encompass 51 basic types, including: 6 types of physiographic landscapes, 4 types of water scenery, 4 types of biological landscapes, 25 types of historical sites and architecture, 9 types of leisure and fitness facilities, and 3 types of shopping venues.

3.1 Swallow Island

Located on the south side of Wanfo Lake, this island is named for its swallow-like shape. Attractions include the Mochantang Hall, Li Gonglin Pavilion, Yanhua Cave, Yunxiang Pavilion, and the Hundred Birds Garden.

3.2 Zhou Yu Island

Situated on the southern shore of Wanfo Lake, this island focuses on Zhou Yu culture and consists of several islets including Yujin Garden, Ruizhi Garden, Zhiyin Garden, and Liansandun.

3.3 Wanfo Island

Located in a winding bay on the southern shore of Wanfo Lake, the island features a statue of Maitreya Buddha. It also houses structures like the Mahavira Hall, Guanyin Pavilion, Wanfo Pagoda, and Foxin Pavilion, which enshrine statues of Sakyamuni and other Buddhas. Other facilities on the island include Yingfo Bridge, Release Pond, Wanfo Xiangxie Pavilion, Jingxin Platform, Xiangfo Tea Field, Wishing Forest, Guanyin Bridge, Xiaoyao Bridge, and Nine-turn Bridge.

4. Cultural Activities

4.1 Historical Development

Longhekou Reservoir was constructed at Longhekou on the upper reaches of the Hangbu River, a tributary of the Chaohu Lake system in Shucheng County, Anhui Province. The reservoir basin covers an area of 1,111 square kilometers, accounting for 56.4% of the total area (1,970 square kilometers) above Datangwan in the Hangbu River basin. The total storage capacity is 820 million cubic meters, with a dead storage of 53 million cubic meters. Construction began in November 1958, initially led by the county government. Work was halted in April 1961, resumed in October 1965 as a capital construction project, and completed in October 1969. The reservoir dam, known as the world's largest artificial earth-rock dam, was praised by Mr. Lanci, former Chairman of the UN Dam Committee, as a "truly remarkable project." Longhekou Reservoir serves as the water source and headwork for the Hangbu River Irrigation District. It provides flood protection for 530,000 mu of land. After its construction, it significantly reduced the flood burden of the Hangbu River and irrigates 1.55 million mu of farmland in Shucheng, Lujiang, and Lu'an counties. The Longhekou Reservoir area is an important component of the China Dabie Mountain UNESCO Global Geopark. In the early 21st century, Wanfo Lake Town in Shucheng County began developing tourism projects utilizing the reservoir's natural resources, naming it "Wanfo Lake."

4.2 Legend

Wanfo Lake is a beautiful lake. Legend has it that a peculiar rock on the lakeside cliff resembles Guanyin (the Goddess of Mercy) overlooking the lake, while numerous small islands floating on the lake vividly resemble Buddhist disciples, creating a scene like "Ten Thousand Buddhas Worshipping Guanyin," hence the name Wanfo Lake (Ten Thousand Buddha Lake).

4.3 Events

Since 1996, Wanfo Lake has successfully hosted events such as the First Shucheng Dragon Boat Race, the Asian Triathlon Series & National Championships, the China Wanfo Lake Tourism & Culture Festival & "Longjin Cup" International Dragon Boat Invitational Tournament, the "Shuyi Cup" Wanfo Lake Dragon Boat Race, and the China International Strongman Open.

In 2010, Wanfo Lake was the exclusive title sponsor of the First Anhui International Model Contest and hosted its finals and award ceremony.

In 2013, Wanfo Lake was the overall title sponsor for the opening ceremony of the Second China Dabie Mountain (Lu'an) Water Culture Tourism Festival and the Cross-Strait "Top Ten Chinese-Language Films" Awards Ceremony.

4.4 Development Timeline

November 1958: Construction of Longhekou Reservoir began, initially led by the Shucheng County Government Office. April 1961: Construction of Longhekou Reservoir was halted. October 1965: Construction of Longhekou Reservoir resumed as a capital construction project. October 1969: Longhekou Reservoir was completed. April 26, 1978: At the First Anhui Provincial Tourism Work Conference, the Hefei-Longhekou (Wanfo Lake) route was designated as a tourist line. Spring 1994: The Shucheng People's Government signed the "Agreement on Joint Development of Longhekou Reservoir Tourism Resources." Subsequently, promotional activities were conducted under the name "Wanfo Lake" in newspapers such as Anhui Daily, Hefei Evening News, and Tourism Guide. 1995: The Shucheng County Party Committee and County Government established the "Wanfo Lake Scenic Resort Master Plan Leading Group." 1997: Shucheng County established the "Wanfo Lake Scenic Area Management Office" to plan, construct, manage, and promote the scenic area.

4.5 Local Specialties

4.5.1 Wanfo Lake Fish Head Casserole

"Wanfo Lake Fish Head Casserole" is made with bighead carp heads from Wanfo Lake, pure lake water, and unique seasonings, simmered over low heat. It is delicious with a unique taste—fresh but not fishy, rich but not greasy, tender and juicy. The soup is milky white, high in protein, low in fat, and rich in essential trace elements like potassium, sodium, iron, phosphorus, and selenium. It has a high vitamin A content, reaching up to 34 mg/100g.

4.5.2 Shucheng Xiaolanhua Tea

Shucheng Xiaolanhua tea features connected buds and leaves resembling orchid grass, with tightly curled strips in a hook shape and an even emerald green color showing fine hairs. When brewed, it opens like an orchid blossom, with each stem standing upright in the cup, emitting a distinctive orchid fragrance, commonly described as "a pillar of fragrant steam rising." The tea soup is refreshing and long-lasting, with a sweet and mellow taste, a clear and bright light green liquor, and evenly shaped, whole leaves forming a tender yellow-green brew.