Mochou Lake Park locates in the Jianye District in Nanjing City, which occupies the area of 47 hectares. Mochou Lake was once a part of Yangtze River, but after the channels of Yangtze River and Qinhuai River changed their carrying capacity and direction, it gradually became a lake.
Origin of name
According to the legend, the name of Mochou Lake came from a beautiful young woman called Mochou. She lived during the Northern and Southern Dynasty (386-589). Mochou married a man, Lu, in Nanjing and had a baby. They once had a happy life until one day Lu was recruited to the army. After Lu’s leaving, Mochou never heard any news about Lu and she missed Lu so much. Finally, Mochou jumped into the river and omitted suicide, with the hope of flowing with the river to find Lu. In memory of the young woman's desperate devotion to husband, local people named the lake as Mochou Lake.
History of Mochou Lake Park
During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Mochou Lake was gradually developed into a famous garden, which was bestowed to Xu Da by the first emperor of Ming Dynasty. During the following dynasties, Mochou Lake was extended several times and many landscapes in the park were added. In 1929, Mochou Lake was built as a park. In 1953, Mochou Lake Park took a major restorations project, and the Mochou Statue was remodeled as well at then.
In April, the warm spring, people can take the boat ride here to appreciate the flowering blossoms from nearby crabapple trees. Since 1991, Mochou Lake Park has held the dragon boat races along the lake in June every year.
What to see in Mochou Park
Inside the park, people can see a collection of ponds, gardens, pavilions, fountains and the rock display. The summer time may be the best time for a visit the park when massive lotuses blossom vibrantly on the water of the lake.
The famous Shengqi Pavilion in the park is a two-storey structure in primitive simplicity. Here, people can see some paintings and calligraphies of famous domestic artists. In the north of the Shengqi Pavilion, there is the former residence of Mochou and Yujin Hall. There stands a white marble statue of Mochou with a sorrowful expression. Behind Shengqi Pavilion is the Mochou Lake. An island lies in the center of the lake and water fowls inhabit there all year round.