Qinhu Wetland: Lakes Within Islands, Islands Within Lakes
Upon arriving in Taizhou, the coach stopped at Shiweitian Restaurant for a sumptuous all-fish banquet. The restaurant is located in Qintong Town, Jiangyan District, Taizhou. The ancient town is surrounded by water on all sides, and is actually an island! An old poem praising Qintong says: 'Don't say Jiangnan's flowers are as splendid as brocade; the water country surpasses Jiangnan.' Leaving the restaurant, we turned left and saw a small square with stone sculptures of figures. Taking a closer look, the base had the characters 'Chu Guan'! Mr. Wang and I took a photo together. Chu Guan was a Minister of Personnel in the Ming Dynasty. He was an honest official who brought honor to his hometown, and his hometown erected a statue and wrote a biography for him! The Chinese people are most grateful; whenever an honest official works for the people's benefit, later generations commemorate them in various ways.
The coach headed east, and outside the window flashed blue lakes, interwoven river networks, and scattered islets and sandbars. Villages, rice fields, reeds... all beautiful scenery. The north of the Yangtze River also has many prosperous lands; the Yangtze River nourishes both banks!
After half an hour heading east, we arrived at Qinhu Wetland. Looking from the dock, Qinhu Lake is several times larger than West Lake in Hangzhou, and the water quality is excellent. On the boat, I borrowed the tour guide's flag and acted as a temporary guide. Ms. Wang, 59 years old, is an experienced guide with a quick tongue and decisive manner. During the three-day tour, the level of happiness is also related to the guide.
After nearly half an hour on the boat, we went ashore. A map of Qinhu Wetland greeted us. We stopped to look carefully—wow, fantastic!
It turns out that 'lakes within islands, islands within lakes' is not exclusive to the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon in Hangzhou's West Lake! The wetland has islands, large in area and rich in attractions. In front of the map, our enthusiasm for the tour surged.
After getting on the island, Guide Wang said: 'There are two options: either walk the entire way, or pay 40/30 yuan to take a rowboat or an electric boat.' Without hesitation, Mr. Wang and I chose the rowboat!
When visiting a wetland, you must get on a boat—this is from experience. For example, in Shajiabang in Changshu, if you don't take a rowboat, it's as if you came for nothing. Today, more than half of the group chose to be 'landlubbers'—I felt sorry for them, but I had no right to interfere.
On the River Cam at the University of Cambridge, there are punts. My daughter, who has a master's degree from Cambridge, told me beforehand: 'When visiting Cambridge, you must take a punt. Seeing Cambridge from the water, you'll realize how beautiful it truly is!'
Guide Wang said: 'If you had come a month or two later, the scenery would be even more beautiful!'
I asked: 'Why?'
Guide Wang replied: 'By then, the reeds will be white as snow, and flocks of migratory birds will fly in groups.'
As we spoke, the tourists filed into the Qinhu Wetland Science Museum.
