Weishan Lake Tourism Area is located in Weishan County, Jining City, Shandong Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction, covering the main lake area of Weishan Lake and surrounding islands, with a total area of 769.55 square kilometers, including a water area of about 664 square kilometers. It is the largest freshwater lake tourist area in northern China. The scenic area features "vast lakes, exotic islands, beautiful lotus flowers, abundant fish, and outstanding people", integrating natural ecology, red culture, and fishing village customs. The core areas include Weishan Island, Nanyang Ancient Town, Dushan Island, etc., with iconic landscapes such as the Ten-Thousand-Mu Lotus Marsh and the Railway Guerrillas Memorial Park. The scenic area has complete supporting facilities; the tourist service center covers an area of about 5,000 square meters, with science popularization exhibition halls, tour guide service stations, etc., providing comprehensive services for tourists.
Historical Culture
The formation of Weishan Lake is closely related to the course changes of the Yellow River. After thousands of years of evolution, it has become an important freshwater wetland in the north, nurturing a unique lake area culture. During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, this was the border area between the Qi and Lu states, leaving historical relics such as "the hometown of Weizi". Weishan Island is also named because Weizi, a virtuous minister of the Shang Dynasty, was buried here.
In modern times, Weishan Lake was a famous anti-Japanese base area. From 1938 to 1945, the Railway Guerrillas carried out guerrilla warfare based on Weishan Lake. Stories such as "Quiet on Weishan Lake" are widely spread, and red culture has become an important spiritual core of the scenic area. The fishing culture in the lake area has a long history. Folk customs such as the fishermen's "Duan Gu Qiang" (a form of folk art) and "fishermen's wedding" have been included in the intangible cultural heritage, showing the wisdom of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.
Main Attractions
Weishan Island
Weishan Island is the largest island in Weishan Lake, with an area of about 9 square kilometers, about 2.5 kilometers from the shore. It can be reached by ferry (the ferry voyage is about 20 minutes). The island is rich in cultural relics. The "Three Sages' Tombs" (tombs of Weizi, Zhang Liang, and Muyi) witness the historical changes from the Shang and Zhou dynasties to the Qin and Han dynasties. The Railway Guerrillas Memorial Park covers an area of about 100,000 square meters, with a 37.7-meter-high monument to the Railway Guerrillas standing in the park. The memorial hall displays a large number of revolutionary cultural relics, restoring the struggle scenes during the Anti-Japanese War.
Ten-Thousand-Mu Lotus Marsh
Located in the western part of Weishan Lake, the Ten-Thousand-Mu Lotus Marsh covers a total area of about 100,000 mu, being the largest natural lotus viewing area in northern China. From June to September every year, lotus flowers bloom in full bloom, forming a landscape of "endless green lotus leaves reaching the sky", dotted with reed marshes, water lilies and other aquatic plants. The scenic area has a 3,000-meter-long lotus viewing plank road and multiple viewing platforms. Tourists can walk or take a painted boat (the route is about 5 kilometers long, with a sailing time of 1 hour) to shuttle through the lotus ponds, watch the lotus flowers up close, and in summer, they can also experience the fun of picking lotus seed pods (about 10 yuan per catty).
Nanyang Ancient Town
Nanyang Ancient Town is the only water town in Weishan Lake, with an area of about 3.5 square kilometers and a history of more than 2,000 years. It flourished as a canal commercial port during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The ancient town retains the pattern of "small bridges, flowing water and families". There are more than 30 ancient buildings such as ancient streets, ancient dwellings, and mosques. Among them, relics such as "Zhuangyuan Building" and "Hu Ji Qianzhuang" (Hu's Bank) show the prosperity of canal culture. Tourists can take a covered boat (with a voyage of about 1 kilometer) to visit the water lanes of the ancient town, feeling the artistic conception of "the boat travels in the water, and people are in the painting".
Railway Guerrillas Memorial Park
Located in the eastern part of Weishan Island, the Railway Guerrillas Memorial Park covers an area of 100,000 square meters and is a national patriotic education demonstration base. The core buildings in the park include a monument, a memorial hall, and a group sculpture square. The monument is 37.7 meters high, symbolizing the full-scale outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War in July 1937. The memorial hall covers an area of about 1,800 square meters, showing the battle history of the Railway Guerrillas in detail through physical objects, pictures, and scene restorations. Among them, the simulated scene of "raiding trains and blowing up bridges" is extremely impressive.
Weishan Lake Wetland Red Lotus Scenic Area
Located in Binhu Town, Tengzhou City, the Weishan Lake Wetland Red Lotus Scenic Area covers a total area of 90 square kilometers, featuring red lotus wetlands and connected to the main scenic area of Weishan Lake. The red lotus planting area in the scenic area is about 50,000 mu, and the scenery is most spectacular when the red lotuses are in full bloom in autumn (September-October). The wetland has a bird watching platform (20 meters high), where more than 200 kinds of birds such as egrets and cranes can be observed. Attractions such as Panlong Island and Xiaoli Village are famous for being filmed in "Railway Guerrillas" and retain the style of the villages at that time.
Food
Weishan Lake Hairy Crab
Weishan Lake hairy crab is a national geographical indication product. Due to the excellent water quality of the lake area, the crab meat is tender and the crab roe is plump. The best eating period is from September to November every year. The local traditional method is steaming to retain the original flavor. The market price is 50-80 yuan per crab (about 200 grams). Fishermen's restaurants around the scenic area mostly offer "whole crab feasts", with dishes such as crab porridge and drunk crabs, with an average consumption of about 150 yuan per person.
Piaotang Fish Balls
Piaotang Fish Balls are a specialty of Weishan Lake fishermen. They are made by peeling and boning fresh crucian carp (or carp), chopping into fish paste, adding egg white, starch, etc. for seasoning, making balls with a diameter of about 2 centimeters, boiling them in boiling water until they float on the soup surface, hence the name "Piaotang" (floating soup). The fish balls are delicate in taste and the soup is fresh and delicious. They are a must-have dish for banquets in the lake area, about 40 yuan per serving. You can taste the authentic flavor in the fishermen's restaurants in Nanyang Ancient Town.
Weishan Lake Partridge Duck
Weishan Lake partridge duck is an excellent local duck breed, raised in the lake area, feeding on aquatic plants, fish and shrimp, with firm meat. Traditional methods include braised partridge duck, beer duck, etc. Among them, "Partridge Duck Lying on Snow" (duck meat steamed with egg white) is a classic dish, implying auspiciousness. Each serving of partridge duck dishes is about 60-80 yuan, suitable for 3-4 people to share.
Lake Water Chestnut Stir-Fried with Meat
Lake water chestnut is a characteristic aquatic plant of Weishan Lake. After being picked in autumn, the shells are peeled to get the meat, which is stir-fried with diced pork. It has a crisp and tender taste and a fragrant flavor. This dish reflects the dietary wisdom of "living off the land and water" in the lake area, about 30 yuan per serving, being a homely but distinctive flavor of the lake area.
Tickets
The package ticket is 160 yuan per person (including round-trip ferry tickets to Weishan Island, tickets to attractions on Weishan Island, and round-trip sightseeing buses on the island).
You can search for the official WeChat public account "山东微山湖旅游区" to get the latest updates or buy tickets online.
Opening Hours
The overall opening hours of the scenic area are 8:00-18:00 (April 1 - October 31); from November 1 to March 31 of the next year, the opening hours are 8:30-17:00. Among them:
- The last ferry time to Weishan Island is 17:30 (peak season) and 16:30 (off-season);
- The last painted boat time in the Ten-Thousand-Mu Lotus Marsh is 17:00;
- The closing time of the Railway Guerrillas Memorial Park is 30 minutes later than that of the scenic area, facilitating tourists' visits in the evening.
Tour Route
It is recommended to arrange a 2-day itinerary: On the first day: In the morning, take a boat from Nanyang Wharf of Weishan Lake to Nanyang Ancient Town (the voyage is about 1 hour), visit the water streets and ancient dwellings of the ancient town, and experience the covered boat; at noon, taste fishermen's dishes such as Piaotang Fish Balls in the ancient town; in the afternoon, go to the Ten-Thousand-Mu Lotus Marsh, enjoy the lotus on foot or take a painted boat, and return to Weishan County for accommodation in the evening. On the second day: In the morning, take a ferry to Weishan Island, visit the Railway Guerrillas Memorial Park and Weizi's Tomb in sequence; at noon, eat special dishes such as partridge duck and Lake Water Chestnut Stir-Fried with Meat on the island; in the afternoon, go to the Weishan Lake Wetland Red Lotus Scenic Area to watch red lotuses and climb the bird watching platform, and end the trip in the evening. The total distance of the whole journey is about 80 kilometers, and the transportation is mainly by boat and scenic area buses.
Transportation
- Self-driving: Starting from Jining City, go south along Jiwei Expressway to Weishan Exit, then drive about 15 kilometers along Provincial Highway 104 to the tourist service center of Weishan Lake Scenic Area, with a total distance of about 100 kilometers and a driving time of 1.5 hours; starting from Xuzhou City, go north along Jingtai Expressway to Xuecheng Exit, then turn to Provincial Highway 245 to Weishan County, with a total distance of about 80 kilometers and a driving time of 1.2 hours.
- Bus: Jining Bus Terminal has 6 buses to Weishan County every day, departing from 7:00 to 17:00, one per hour, with a driving time of 1.5 hours and a fare of 25 yuan per person; Weishan County Bus Station has buses directly to Weishan Island Wharf, one every 30 minutes, with a driving time of 20 minutes and a fare of 5 yuan per person.
- High-speed rail + taxi: The nearest high-speed rail station to the scenic area is Zaozhuang Station (about 50 kilometers). After exiting the station, take a taxi to Weishan Island Wharf, costing about 100 yuan, with a driving time of 1 hour; or transfer to the bus from Zaozhuang to Weishan County (8 buses a day, fare 15 yuan per person).
Must-Visit Attractions
- Weishan Island: With an area of 9 square kilometers, you can visit the "Three Sages' Tombs" and the Railway Guerrillas Memorial Park on the island, feeling the integration of history and red culture.
- Ten-Thousand-Mu Lotus Marsh: A 100,000-mu lotus landscape, with the best viewing period from June to September. Taking a painted boat to shuttle through the lotus ponds is a unique experience.
- Railway Guerrillas Memorial Park: Learn about the history of the Anti-Japanese War. The monument and memorial hall are important places for patriotic education.
- Nanyang Ancient Town: With the style of a water town, take a covered boat to visit the water lanes and experience the charm of "the water town in the north of the Yangtze River".
Travel Suggestions
- The best travel season is from June to September, when lotus flowers are in full bloom and the climate is pleasant; in autumn (September-October), you can enjoy red lotuses and taste hairy crabs at the same time, with a more rich experience.
- The temperature difference between day and night in the lake area is large. Even in summer, it is recommended to bring a thin coat; pay attention to sun protection when taking a boat, and you can prepare a straw hat and sunglasses.
- If you need to stay on the island, there are fishermen's homestays on Weishan Island (80-120 yuan per person per night), where you can experience fishermen's life. It is recommended to book in advance through the platform.
- It is recommended to choose fishermen's restaurants with clearly marked prices to taste lake fresh food, avoiding high consumption in the scenic area. Restaurants in Weishan County have higher cost performance.
- Families with children can give priority to the Ten-Thousand-Mu Lotus Marsh (with flat terrain) and the Railway Guerrillas Memorial Park (with popular science significance). Nanyang Ancient Town has many stone roads, so pay attention to children's safety.
Notes
- When taking ferries, painted boats and other water vehicles, you must wear life jackets, do not chase and fight on the deck, and follow the crew's instructions.
- There are many mosquitoes in the Ten-Thousand-Mu Lotus Marsh. It is recommended to apply mosquito repellent in advance; picking lotus seed pods must be in designated areas, and it is forbidden to enter undeveloped lotus ponds without permission.
- Protect the ecological environment of the lake area, do not litter in the water, and do not climb or break lotus flowers, reeds and other aquatic plants at will.
- Some ancient streets in Nanyang Ancient Town are narrow. When there are many tourists, pay attention to keeping your belongings and avoid crowding and trampling.
- The water level in the lake area may rise during the rainy season (July-August). Pay attention to the official notices of the scenic area and avoid traveling in bad weather.