Once upon a time this area was marshland. Today we stand at Chunshen Lake. It is a freshwater jewel in Shanghai’s Qingpu District. Chunshen Lake is more than just a scenic spot. It’s the source of the Huangpu River. The Huangpu River is Shanghai’s cherished waterway.
Chunshen Lake spans 62 square kilometers. That makes it Shanghai’s largest freshwater lake. Dianshan Lake is bigger. But Dianshan Lake is only partly in Shanghai. It serves as a vital inland transport hub.
Did you know that the Huangpu River was excavated by Lord Chunshen? He was a nobleman from the Warring States period. He ordered the river’s creation. That’s why it’s sometimes called the Chunshen River. It gave Shanghai one of its nicknames Shen.
Chunshen Lake’s shoreline offers peaceful countryside views. Fishing villages dot the landscape. Buddhist shrines add a touch of spirituality. Small vegetable patches showcase local life. The turquoise and greenish water teems with life. Fish jump while waterfowl flap their wings. Turtles bask on rocks.
Historically, this area thrived on fishing and rice farming. The lake hosts an annual rice festival. It features a rice tasting competition. Luxury housing is increasingly common in recent years. Rice fields are replaced with real estate projects. These housing estates often follow architectural themes.
Despite its proximity to Shanghai, Chunshen Lake maintains a connection to nature. The lake even serves as a car wash for some locals. They fill buckets with lake water. They then wash their cars.
One notable practice is fangsheng. It’s a Buddhist custom where animals are released. Here, people release snails into the lake. This act aims to free the creatures from imminent death. The practice takes place amid the sounds of jet skis.
The lake touches the border between Shanghai and Jiangsu. Qingpu District owns most of it. Jiangsu’s Kunshan District owns the rest.
Whether for transport, fishing, or simple beauty, Chunshen Lake is vital. It connects Shanghai to its past. It sustains its present. It shapes its future. The Huangpu River flows from here and shapes Shanghai’s destiny. Remember Lord Chunshen. His vision created more than just a river. He shaped Shanghai.