Nanxiaohu (South Small Lake) in Zizhuyuan Park is home to large areas of lotus flowers. One of the park's highlights is the Lotus-viewing Walkway, where visitors can appreciate the lotuses up close while standing on the lakeside railings or on the bridge overlooking the "Emerging Lotus Flowers". "Summer boat rides and lotus flower crossings" are a unique feature of Zizhuyuan Park. You can experience the elegance of "returning late on a boat ride, accidentally entering deep into the lotus flowers" and enjoy the coolness of summer while experiencing a different kind of charm.
The most distinctive feature of Zizhuyuan Park is its Lotus-viewing Walkway, which allows visitors to walk along the lake to get a closer view of the lotuses. Standing on the bridge overlooking the lake, one can look down and see the lotuses in full bloom in the green water. The blossoming lotuses attract dragonflies, just as the famous poet Yang Wanli described in his poem "Xiao Chi": "The lotus buds have just sprouted their tips, dragonflies have already perched atop them."
There are three lakes in Zizhuyuan Park: Nanxiaohu, Beixiaohu, and Dahu. Nanxiaohu is home to many lotuses and the lotus ferry is located here as well. It is said that the Lotus Ferry scenic area in Zizhuyuan Park was built after the park was established in 1953. Lotus plants were introduced here from the 1960s onwards, and there has been a history of over 60 years of lotus cultivation. An 800-meter-long waterway runs through the center of the lake and hence it is named "Lotus Ferry". It has become one of the best places in Beijing to enjoy lotuses in summer, as well as a great spot for citizens and tourists to cool off. There are various kinds of lotuses in the Lotus Ferry, including special varieties such as Baiyang red lotus, Wufei, Friendship Peony lotus, Dabi lotus, Space lotus and Dasajin lotus.
Visitors can take photos up close on the lotus bridge or the waterfront platform, capturing scenes of sparrows. They can also walk along the winding wooden walkway and occasionally see Mandarin ducks playing together. At Zizhuyuan Park, one can feel the beauty of nature, with mandarin ducks and wild ducks leisurely swimming in the lotus pond, water plants blooming on the banks, and tall weeping willows in shades of red and green, creating a pleasant scenery.
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Translator: TANG Yingqi