Tai Lake, one of the brightest pearls of Jiangnan.
In ancient times, it was known as Zhenze, vast with misty waves, stretching over thirty-six thousand hectares, embracing Wu and Yue.
Dongting West Mountain is the largest island in the lake, renowned since ancient times.
Legend has it Yu the Great once paused here during his flood control efforts, and the Battle of Fuqiao between Wu and Yue occurred near these waters. During the Spring and Autumn Period, after Fan Li helped Gou Jian defeat Wu, he sailed the Five Lakes with Xi Shi and hid among the landscapes of Tai Lake, leaving behind the tale of "Li Garden". Eastern Jin's Ge Hong also practiced alchemy on West Mountain, with relics still present...
During the Southern Song dynasty, Tai Lake became an important defensive line of Lin'an.
It can be said that these landscapes are the cultural vein of Jiangnan and a crucial hub of water transport.
However, nowadays, what meets the eye is a scene of devastation.
