A 10-day trip through Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei province

Day Ten

Hengshui Lake scenic area, Hebei province

Located in Hengshui, Hebei province in North China, Hengshui Lake is the inland freshwater lake with the largest single water area on the North China Plain. As the only inland wetland that maintains a complete ecosystem including water areas, swamps, mudflats, meadows, and forests, it is an important stopover and transfer station on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, and a habitat for the Baer's Pochard, a critically endangered species in the world. Enjoying the reputation of the "first lake to the south of Beijing" and the "oriental sapphire in East Asia", Hengshui Lake scenic area is a national key cultural relic protection site, a national nature reserve, and a national water conservancy scenic area.

Covering an area of 26.4 square kilometers, the Hengshui Lake scenic area is composed of the Hengshui Lake Marathon Ring Lake Track, and links the Hengshui Lake Ecological Experience Area, the Historical and Cultural Area of Jizhou Ancient City, the Traditional Culture Research and Learning Area of Luli Ancient Town, and the Yaya Paradise Parent-Child Resort Area. At the scenic area, you can row a boat on the lake to behold the vast blue waters and flocks of birds. At the ruins of Jizhou Ancient City, you can have a spiritual dialogue with ancient Chinese philosopher Dong Zhongshu (179-104 BC), and experience the traditional Chinese culture of propriety and filial piety in the Sun Jing School Hall.