Lake Shihu
Description:
Freshwater Lake Shihu is located near the city of Hangzhou. The age of the lake is about two thousand years - it was formed from the lagoon of the Qiantang River. The picturesque surface of Sihu and the emerald mountains along the banks at all times attracted many philosophers and poets.
Lake Sihu was first used by the Chinese in 781. It was then that Governor Lee Mi dug an underground sewerage system that supplied the residents with drinking water. Under the Ming dynasty, work was carried out to deepen the lake. As a result, two artificial islands Xuxinting and Xiaoingzhou were formed.
Today, Lake Sihu is a major tourist center. A large number of trees are planted along its banks, and the main attractions are numerous temples and pagodas.