Hengshui Lake 衡水湖

About Hengshui Lake

The variety of habitats makes the visit more rewarding when you slow down and compare the lake edge with the broader water surface. The managed scenic area includes a wetland ecology museum and several islands, including Sakura Island. Choose a public bank or an operated boat route, keeping in mind that nature-reserve habitat and tourist facilities have different access rules.

Hengshui Lake, also called Qianqingwa (千顷洼) or the Qianqingwa Reservoir (千顷洼水库), lies southwest of the urban area of Hengshui in Hebei province. It covers 75 square kilometers, making it the second-largest freshwater lake on the North China Plain after Baiyangdian (白洋淀), and is the only nature reserve on the plain that retains a complete wetland ecosystem of marsh, open water, mudflat, meadow and forest.

The lake is replenished mainly by irregular diversions from the Yellow River, and a levee running from the Nanqiao sluice gate (南桥闸) northeast to Wangkou village (王口村) in Weitun township divides the lake into two halves that do not interconnect. Hengshui Lake is designated a national-level nature reserve of China and also a provincial-level nature reserve for wetlands and birds.

What to look for

• The contrast between reed-fringed shallows, open lake water and the wetland's other habitats.
• The wetland ecology museum and Sakura Island, two named visitor facilities within the wider lake destination.

Location & getting there

Getting to Hengshui Lake

Bishuiwan Pier is a named departure point for the lake's visitor boats; choose this pier specifically if taking a boat visit.

• Confirm the island stops and return arrangement with the operator, rather than navigating to an arbitrary shoreline point.