- Lake Tai
Location map
China
label=Lake Tai
lat=31.17
long=120.15
position=right
width=300
float=right
background=#FFFFDD
caption=Lake Tai on the map of China Infobox lake
lake_name = Lake Tai
image_lake = IMG 0142 Tai.jpg
caption_lake = Lake Scenery At Wuxi
image_bathymetry =
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coords = coord|31|10|N|120|09|E|type:waterbody_region:CN|display=inline,title
type =
inflow =
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basin_countries =China
length =
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area = 2,250 km²
depth = 2 m
max-depth =
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elevation =
islands = 90
cities =Lake Tai (zh-cp|c=太湖|p=Tài Hú; literally "Grand Lake") is a large
lake in theYangtze Delta plain, on the border of theJiangsu andZhejiang provinces in thePeople's Republic of China . The waters of the lake belong to the former in its entirety with part of its southern shore forming the boundary between the two provinces. With an area of 2,250 km² and an average depth of 2 metres [http://www.szkp.org.cn/suzhoudili/szdl/200606/06634333.htm zh icon] , it is the third largest freshwater lake inChina , after the Poyang andDongting Lake s. The lake houses about 90 islands, ranging in size from a few square meters to several square miles.Lake Tai is linked to the renowned Grand Canal. The lake is also the origin for a number of rivers, including
Suzhou Creek . In recent years, Lake Tai has been plagued by pollution as a result of rapid economic growth in the surrounding region.Scenic locations
The lake is renowned for its unique
limestone formations. TheseChinese scholar's rocks are often prized as a decorating material for thetraditional Chinese garden , especially in areas such asSuzhou .According to many guidebooks, Lake Tai is best seen from the scenic viewpoint in Xihui Park (錫惠公園)in the west of
Wuxi (無錫), from the top of Dragon Light Pagoda (龍光塔 Lóng Guāng Tǎ), from which both Wuxi and Lake Tai are visible. Another wellknown panoramic view is from Longshan (Mt Long), where famous ancient poetSu Shi once wrote a poem.Three of the lake's islands are known as the Sanshan Islands ('three hill islands'), one of the Chinese National Geological Parks.
Tourist Attractions
One of the best locations to view the lake is
Xihui Park in the west of Wuxi. By climbing the summit ofDragon Light Pagoda (Longguang Pagoda) inside the park, you will get a bird view of the city and the lake.Yuantouzhu is another prominent region for tourists. It received this title because its outline resembles a turtle head. The region gained its fame in the early 20th century and it contains more than ten scenic sites for visit.
Business and industry
The lake is also known for its productive
fishing industry, and is often occupied by fleets of small private fishing boats. [Barrett, Rick. [http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=560975 China offers open waters] . "Milwaukee Journal Sentinel ": Feb. 3, 2007 Since the late 1970s, harvesting seafood products such as fish and crabs have been invaluable to people living along the lake and have contributed significantly to the economy of the surrounding area.Pollution
In May 2007, the lake was overtaken by a major
algae bloom and by major pollution withcyanobacteria . Joseph Kahn, [http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/10/14/asia/14china.php "In China, a Lake’s Champion Imperils Himself"] ,International Herald Tribune , October 13, 2007 ] The Chinese government has called the lake a majornatural disaster despite the clearly anthropogenic origin of this environmental catastrophe. With the average price of bottled water rising to six times the normal rate, the government has banned all regional water providers from implementing price hikes. [cite news |publisher=MSNBC |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18959222/from/RS.1/ |title=Algae smother Chinese lake, millions panic |date=2007-05-31 ] The lake provides water to 30 million residents, including about one million in Wuxi. [cite news
last=
first=
url= http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-04/16/content_6622243.htm
title= China's third-largest freshwater lake faces algae threat
publisher= China Daily
date= April 14, 2008
accessdate= 08-04-20] As of October 2007, the Chinese government had shut down or given notice to over 1,300 factories around the lake. Notwithstanding this official increase of governmental concern, one of the leading environmentalists who has been publicizing the pollution issues of the lake,Wu Lihong , has now received a three year prison sentence after being arrested and tried for alleged extortion of one of the polluters. Jiangsu province now plans to clean up the lake. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7065095.stm China to clean up polluted lake] .BBC News : October 27, 2007] At a cabinet level chaired byWen Jiabao , the State Council set a target to clean Lake Tai by 2012. [cite news
last=
first=
url= http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2008-04/04/content_6591233.htm
title= Across China: Beijing
publisher= China Daily
date= April 4, 2008
accessdate= 08-04-20]References
External links
* [http://www.tourochina.com/sightarea/262/Taihu-Lake A detailed introduction with pictures of Lake Tai]
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