The East Lake, one of the major tourist attractions in Wuhan, is one of the 10 lakes located in the east suburb of Wuchang. It covers an area of 87 square kilometers and contains 33 square kilometers of water. With its bending lake banks and crossing ponds and brooks, it is called "the Lake of 99 Bays".

It has a vast expanse of water (thirty- three square kilometers), with winding banks and willow trees. The surrounding area is divided naturally into several scenic areas among which Millstone Hill (Moshan) is the most attractive with flowers blooming all the year round-orchids in spring, lotus in summer, osmanthus in autumn, and plum blossoms in winter.

The many beautiful buildings at the edge of the lake include Land of Water and Cloud (Shuiyunxiang) which serves as a teahouse, Listening to the Waves Tower (Tingtaoxuan), where the visitor can get a panoramic view of the lake, Poetry-Reciting Pavilion (Xingyinge), Lakeside Art Gallery (Binhuhualang), the Memorial Hall of Qu Yuan (340-278 B.C.), infinite Sky Tower (Changtianlou) which can accommodate a thousand visitors for tea, and Lu Xun Square. The park is dotted with lotus and fish ponds, as well as fruit trees (pear and orange) and luxuriant bamboo groves. The nineteen- meter-high Lake View Pavilion (Huguangge) stands on an island in the lake and is a fine vantage point from where to view the entire area. Gulls and swan geese which gather at East Lak ein winter are another attraction to visitors here.

Major scenic spots along the bank include Double Moon Pavilion, Tingtao Corridor, Xingyin Tower, the Fish Watching Pavilion by the Blue Pond, Shuiyun Tower, Qubo Embankment with dancing ripples, Shimmering Lake Pavilion amidst the pines, Xiangtao Tower, Yunyi Pavilion, Luojia Scholars' Garden, and so on. The ultimate fascination, however, comes from the picturesque lake itself. Tourists will be intoxicated just by enjoying the glistening blue water, shaded with light mist, and companioned with hovering birds and jumping fish.

China tours inclusive of visiting the East Lake, Wuhan