Xuanwu Lake Shui She Riverside Trail Introduction
The entrance to the Shui Sha Riverside Trail is located to the left of the Shui Sha Pier through a wooden gate, serving as an important pedestrian route connecting Shui Sha Pier to Jiulongkou. The entire trail consists of accessible ramps, making it gentle and easy to walk. Following the wooden boardwalk along the pond, it leads directly to Jiulongkou via the Chaowu Pier. The trail is lush with greenery, offering a pleasant respite even in the height of summer. Along the path, local sandstone is used to create stone walls shaped with local imagery, providing resting spots for visitors to take a break or enjoy the view of yachts navigating through the pond; or on the calm lake surface, where sunlight reflects off the water in a shimmering spectacle, as if thousands of gold and silver coins had fallen into the lake. When mist covers the area, the Xuanzang Temple on the Qingshan Mountain appears like an ancient temple from a traditional Chinese painting, evoking feelings of nostalgia. From any angle on the trail, the Cien Pagoda on the Shabalan Mountain stands out on the mountain summit, resembling a sword protecting Sun Moon Lake. Upon reaching Jiulongkou, there are artificial floating islands filled with wild ginger flowers, where one might occasionally spot a night heron hiding beneath the foliage, preparing to hunt. If energy and interest permit, visitors can continue to the Wenwu Temple's stepped trail or ascend further to the Bamboo Rock Garden to continue their journey. At night, the view from the trail of Shui Sha Pier is enchanting; the lights from hotels and restaurants twinkle like colorful gemstones against the backdrop of darkness. The Riverside Trail also provides an interpretive system offering travel information and ecological knowledge, making it an ideal path for family outings.
