Park of ChinaOverview
| Designation | National Park of China (sixth batch) |
| Province | Anhui |
| Location | Taihu County, Anhui |
| Mountains | Dabie Mountains |
| Latitude, longitude | 30.5, 116.2 Google Maps |
| Area | 254 km² |
| Nearby cities | Anqing, Jiujiang |
| Nearby sites | Mount Tianzhu 36km, Mount Lu (Lushan) 105km, Mount Jiuhua 155km, Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui 184km, Huangshan (Yellow Mountains) 193km Search nearby |
| Themes | Lake, Buddha, Geothermal, Hot springs, Rafting & boat trips |
About
Huating Lake lies in Taihu County west of Anqing, Anhui, 254 km² in six parts, Longshan, the lake, Xifeng Cave, Fotu Temple, Shizishan and Haihui Temple, plus a hot-spring resort. Huike, the second patriarch of Chan (Zen) Buddhism, taught here, and the lake is called the “birthplace of Chinese Chan”. It produces tangerines, chestnuts, tea, Wuchang fish and crabs.
It is in the sixth batch of national parks of China (national scenic areas) named by the State Council in 2005.
Travel tips
Getting there: the nearest city is Anqing; high-speed trains from Anqing West reach Taihu county in about 40 minutes, and trains from Hefei and Wuhan also serve Taihu. From the county town to the lake is about 10 km.
Layout: Huating Lake is a large reservoir, with five areas, namely Huating Lake, Xifengdong, Futu Temple, Lion Hill and Longshan, and a hot-spring resort.
On the lake: visits are mainly by boat, past islands, shores and hills, and some islands can be landed on.
Buddhist sites: Haihui Temple and Futu Temple lie among the hills and can be visited on the way.
Time: a day covers the lake; add the hot-spring resort and you can stay a night.
Season: spring and autumn are pleasant, summer is cool on the lake, and winter is cold.
Where to stay: resort hotels and farm guesthouses by the lake, and more hotels in Taihu county town.
Nearby: Tianzhu Mountain is not far and can be added.
Caution: it is windy on the lake, so take care on boats; keep quiet in the temples.
Nearby
| World Heritage | Mount Lu (Lushan) 105km, Jingdezhen Handicraft Porcelain Industry Sites 168km, Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui: Xidi and Hongcun 184km, Huangshan (Yellow Mountains) 193km |
| National parks of China | Wuyishan National Park 359km |
| National parks | Mount Tianzhu 36km, Qishan and Pingtian Lake 128km, Mount Jiuhua 155km, Mount Yunju–Zhelin Lake Scenic Area 162km |
| AAAAA attractions | Tiantangzhai Tourist Area 81km, Wanfo Lake Scenic Area 102km, Macheng Guifeng Mountain Scenic Area 115km, Sanhe Ancient Town Scenic Area 150km |
| AAAA attractions | Susong Baiyazhai Scenic Area 15km, Yuexi Feiqizhai Scenic Area 41km, Fifth Patriarch Scenic Area 43km, Mingtangshan Scenic Area 44km |
| UNESCO Global Geoparks | Huanggang Dabieshan UNESCO Global Geopark 148km |
| Historic cities | Anqing 81km, Jiujiang 90km, Tongcheng 95km |
| Historical sites | Baiyazhai 15km |
| National geoparks | Fushan National Geopark 111km, Lushan Quaternary Glacier National Geopark 123km, Dabieshan (Huanggang) National Geopark 129km, Dabieshan (Lu'an) National Geopark 132km |
| Nature reserves | Yaoluoping National Nature Reserve 57km, Longgan Lake National Nature Reserve 60km, Jinzhai Tianma National Nature Reserve 81km, Shengjin Lake National Nature Reserve 81km |