Tongshan Lake
⭐ 3.80
Tongshan Lake Scenic Area, Yicheng District, Zhumadian City, Henan Province, China
Tongshan Lake was originally known as Songjiachang Reservoir, a monumental hydraulic project completed in the 1960s during China's post-war reconstruction era—a period that saw comparable large-scale landscape engineering across Eastern Europe and the American West. The lake stores an impressive 132 million cubic metres of water and serves both flood control and ecological functions. Its waters consistently meet China's Class II–III quality standards, supporting a remarkable 317 species of wildlife and earning the reserve a reputation as Henan's living "herbarium."
The eponymous Tongshan Mountain rises sharply above the shoreline, draped in towering火炬松 (loblolly pine) mother forests and threaded with mist-shrouded trails at dawn. Often likened to the sacred Wudang Mountains of Hubei—long celebrated by Taoist pilgrims—Tongshan offers a more compact but equally dramatic ascent. From its summit, visitors enjoy sweeping vistas across the lake's constellation of islets, including Bird Island, Cactus Island and the whimsically named Quirky Stone Ridge, all popular subjects for landscape photographers at sunset.
Cultural depth runs as deep as the lake itself. The Zhang Liang Temple honours the legendary strategist of the Han dynasty (circa 2nd century BC), while Nanguang Temple has drawn Buddhist and Taoist devotees for over a millennium. Nearby, the Yihe Stockade walls and the Long March Trail of the Red 25th Army (1932–1934) commemorate China's revolutionary past—sites that parallel the historic pilgrim routes and partisan memorials found throughout the European countryside.
Practical planning is straightforward. The scenic area holds a national AAAA rating and runs an admission-free promotion during August 2026, with only boat rides and secondary attractions incurring fees; regular entry starts from around 20 yuan. Standard opening hours are 08:00 to 17:30, though visitors should confirm via official channels before travelling. The nearest transport hub is Zhumadian city, roughly two hours' drive from the lake.
A satisfying day begins with a brisk morning climb up Tongshan for panoramic views, followed by a hearty lunch of fresh silver carp and bighead carp soup from the lake—a local delicacy comparable to French freshwater fish stews. Afternoons are best spent cruising between the islands, then wandering the elevated wooden boardwalks that thread through the wetlands, where egrets and kingfishers dart among the reeds. In summer, pack insect repellent, sun protection and a light waterproof jacket, as mountain weather can shift quickly.