Baiyangdian

Baiyangdian: The Millennial Pearl of North China

Hello everyone! I’m your guide, and I’ll be with you today to explore Baiyangdian—often called the “Pearl of North China”and the “West Lake of the North.”

Beneath us lies Baiyangdian, the largest freshwater lake on the North China Plain. Located in the Xiong’an New Area of Hebei Province, it consists of 143 interconnected lakes and over 3,700 winding channels, covering a total area of 366 square kilometers. This stunning landscape has been admired since ancient times. As early as the Jin Dynasty, the poet Zuo Si referred to it in his “Rhapsody on the Capital of Wei”as “the Lake of Carp Fishing,” which was the ancient name for Baiyangdian.

A beautiful local legend says that on a Mid-Autumn night, the moon goddess Chang’e accidentally dropped her precious mirror to earth. It shattered into 143 pieces, which became the sparkling lakes here. The brightest and largest of these is Baiyangdian, the very place we’re visiting today.

During our tour, we’ll take traditional wooden boats through the reed marshes. You’ll breathe fresh air, watch waterbirds in flight, and soak in the serene views. A friendly reminder: the lake is vast and the sun can be strong, so please protect yourself from the sun. Also, let’s keep this pearl clean—please do not litter. Now, let’s begin our journey through the reeds and lotuses, where nature and history come together!

1. Lotus Grand View Garden: A Poetic Sea of Blooms

Our first stop is the Lotus Grand View Garden, the largest lotus-viewing base in North China, spanning over 133 hectares. It’s home to 699 varieties of lotus from across China—from common pink blooms to rare green double-petal lotuses. It’s like a living “lotus museum.”

Every midsummer, the garden transforms into a sea of flowers. The sight of “green water chestnuts, red lotuses, and misty willows along the shore” is absolutely captivating. When the breeze blows, lotus leaves sway and a delicate fragrance fills the air—reminiscent of the Song Dynasty poet Yang Wanli’s lines:  

“Endless green lotus leaves stretch to the sky; exceptionally red lotus flowers glow in the sun.”

Being here lets you truly feel the poem’s beauty.

Baiyangdian’s lotus culture goes back centuries. When Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty visited, he was so charmed by the blooming lotuses that he wrote “Rippling Streams and Shimmering Lights” and had it inscribed on a stone tablet. That tablet still stands in the garden’s central square.

Look where I’m pointing—those pure white lotuses are called “White Swan,” a garden treasure. When fully open, their layered petals resemble a spreading swan, elegant and serene. In Baiyangdian, the lotus symbolizes not only beauty but also purity and resilience. Locals often say, “The lotus in the lake never fades, and the people here never yield.”*

Besides admiring the flowers, you can climb the Lotus Viewing Tower for a panoramic view. Reds, pinks, and whites dot the green leaves, blending with distant reeds and fishing boats into a picturesque waterscape. Below the tower, the Lotus Culture Exhibition Hall displays poetry, paintings, and crafts related to lotus culture. And if you need a break, the garden’s lotus-scented teahouse offers tea brewed with lotus leaves and flowers—refreshing and fragrant.

2. Wild Goose Feather Team Memorial Hall: A Story of Heroism

Leaving the gentle lotus gardens, we now step into a chapter of inspiring history—the Wild Goose Feather Team Memorial Hall. Opened in 1994, this 2,566-square-meter hall uses artifacts, photos, sculptures, and recreated scenes to tell the story of the water-based guerrilla unit** that fought here during the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression.

During the war, Baiyangdian was occupied. But local patriots used the area’s complex waterways and dense reeds to form a guerrilla team. Because their rifles had limited range, they inserted goose feathers into the muzzles to improve accuracy. They moved as swiftly as wild geese, hence the name “Wild Goose Feather Team.”

The first exhibition hall displays their weapons and daily items—including rifles still bearing goose feathers. Recreated scenes of ambushes in the reed marshes make you feel as if you’re right there in the struggle.

This memorial is not just a historical record; it’s a place that passes on the spirit of courage and resilience. It reminds us that behind Baiyangdian’s beauty lies a heroic past, inspiring us to cherish the peace won through sacrifice.

3. Baiyangdian’s Local Cuisine: A Taste of the Water Town

After taking in the views and history, you’ve probably worked up an appetite! Let me recommend some must-try local dishes that capture the fresh flavors of Baiyangdian.

 1. Braised Farmed Wild Duck  

Note: Wild ducks are protected in China. The ducks served today are sustainably farmed.*  

This dish dates back to the Qing Dynasty. Ducks aged 6–8 months are selected for their firm, flavorful meat. They’re cleaned, soaked, blanched, and then slowly **braised for 3–4 hours** in a rich broth with spices like star anise, cinnamon, and Sichuan pepper. The result is tender, aromatic duck with a deep savory taste.

 2. Baiyangdian Smoked Fish  

A traditional specialty with hundreds of years of history. Originally, smoking was used to preserve fish; today, it’s a beloved delicacy. Fresh lake fish like bream or grass carp are cleaned, marinated with salt, soy sauce, ginger, and spices, air-dried, and then **smoked over sugar and tea leaves**. The finished fish is glossy, firm, and carries a unique smoky-sweet aroma.

4. Sunset Farewell: Until We Meet Again

As the sun sets, casting a golden glow over Baiyangdian, our tour comes to a close. I hope the scent of lotus stays with you, and the story of the Wild Goose Feather Team inspires you in days to come.

Baiyangdian is a place of ever-renewing vitality. With the development of the Xiong’an New Area, its ecology continues to improve—water quality is clearer, and birdlife is thriving. This “Pearl of North China” keeps shining brighter.

Just as the lake gathers water from nine rivers, Baiyangdian warmly welcomes every visitor. If you’ve enjoyed your time here, please share its stories and scenery with friends and family. And remember, you’re always welcome back—in every season:

Spring for budding willows and nesting waterbirds.  

Summer for lotuses in full bloom and singing cicadas.  

Autumn for fresh water chestnuts and golden shores.  

Winter for frozen lakes and serene northern scenes.

Thank you for joining me today. I wish you all a safe journey home, good health, and happiness. Baiyangdian will be here, waiting for your return. See you again