Thousand Island Lake—a fairyland hidden by nature, a must-visit destination
by James63 Reed - Jamie
Apr 18, 2025
🚣 Tired of the same old boat tour guides? This time, we broke away from the usual and discovered a different side of Qiandao Lake!
Reverse Recommendation:
Way 1: Become a "Cycling Family" and Follow the Most Beautiful Greenways Around the Lake
Forget the noisy boat docks, we rented a family bike (the kind with a child seat in the back). The greenway around Qiandao Lake is amazing! It’s specially designed for cycling, with almost no motor vehicles, making it safe and pleasant.
We rode a section of the Chunyang Line, surrounded by lake and mountain scenery, like traveling through a painting. When tired, we stopped at a cozy "Warm Heart Station" to rest. The kids ran around on the nearby lawn while we sipped coffee on a bench—this is what vacation feels like.
Tips: No need to ride the entire route, just pick a scenic section. Navigate near "Santandao" for the best views.
Way 2: Stay at the "Lake Heart Castle" and Enjoy Private Lake Views
This time, we didn’t stay in town but booked the Delai Resort Hotel on Wenxin Island. The hotel occupies a private island, accessible only by driving along a long causeway, offering great privacy.
The hotel features a private lakeshore, an infinity pool, and a large lawn. We spent most of our time just "lounging" at the hotel: dad took the kids swimming while I read by the lake. At dusk, when the tourists left, it felt like we had the entire lake view to ourselves, watching an incredibly peaceful sunset.
Tips: Book in advance and watch for packages; sometimes it’s even more cost-effective than staying in town.
Way 3: Go Up the Mountain and Down to the Lake to Unlock Different Perspectives of Qiandao Lake
Up the mountain: Drive up to the Tianyu Mountain Observation Deck. This is the best spot to overlook the entire Qiandao Lake, where you can see islands scattered like pearls. There’s an elevator for easy access, super family-friendly!
Down to the lake: Skip the big boats and choose kayaking or SUP paddleboarding! With an instructor guiding you, enjoy the calm waters near the shore. The kids sit in front of the paddleboard while dad paddles behind. This close-to-water fun is incomparable to riding a big boat.
So next time you visit Qiandao Lake, try these ways. You’ll find the charm of Qiandao Lake goes far beyond just "island hopping."
Post by Brooks Henry$57 | Oct 3, 2025














