Qiandao Lake, also known as Thousand Island Lake, is a vast freshwater reservoir spanning 573 square kilometers in the Zhejiang Province of China. Its name originates from the presence of more than a thousand islands scattered throughout its expanse. The lake itself was not a natural formation but a manmade marvel, created in 1959 with the flooding of a valley beneath Wu Shi Mountain (Five Lion Mountain). This monumental undertaking was part of the construction of the Xin'anjiang Reservoir and the Xin'an River Hydroelectric Station, an ambitious government infrastructure project that came at a great cost.
The flooding displaced approximately 290,000 residents and submerged over 1,300 villages, along with countless acres of arable farmland. Among the sunken landscapes were two historically significant cities: Shi Cheng, also known as Lion City, and He Cheng. These cities, hidden from human eyes for decades beneath the calm waters of Qiandao Lake, were once vibrant centers of regional governance and culture. The city of Shi Cheng was believed to have been established in 621 AD during the Tang Dynasty, making it nearly 1,400 years old. Historical accounts suggest that it was a large and well-planned city, possibly covering an area equivalent to more than 60 football fields. One of its most remarkable architectural features was the presence of 265 arches spread throughout its structure, and its configuration was unique in that it was designed with five city gates and towers rather than the traditional four.
He Cheng, the second city now submerged under the lake, is thought to date back even further, possibly to the Han Dong Dynasty between 25 and 200 AD. These ancient cities remained hidden for decades until divers and historians rediscovered them in 2001. The findings were extraordinary. The city of Shi Cheng was largely intact despite its long submersion. Divers observed well-preserved buildings, elaborate carvings, guardian lion statues, and majestic archways standing as a testament to the architectural brilliance of ancient China.
Researchers began to document and map the ruins to understand their historical importance and ensure their conservation. These efforts were not just about cataloging stone and structure but about preserving cultural memory. In January 2011, the local government officially recognized Shi Cheng and He Cheng as historical relics under the protection of Zhejiang Province.
Getting to Qiandao Lake can be a bit of an adventure, especially for those interested in diving into these ancient submerged wonders. Very few dive operators facilitate trips to this specific site. One reliable option is a Shanghai-based group that regularly organizes weekend dive expeditions to the lake. Shanghai is an ideal starting point due to its extensive travel infrastructure, including international and domestic flights through Pudong International Airport and Hongqiao International Airport. The dive package typically includes round-trip transportation between Shanghai and the lake, diving sessions with tanks and weights, meals, and local lodging. For those who need them, Nitrox and rental diving gear are also available.
From Shanghai, travelers embark on a journey of approximately 400 kilometers to Dashuzhen, a small town on the southwestern edge of Qiandao Lake. The journey can take 6 to 7 hours by car. Though it only takes about 4 hours to reach the lake’s eastern edge, the last leg of the trip involves navigating winding local roads—some still under construction—to reach the hotel near the dive staging area. Dashuzhen itself is a quiet town with limited amenities. The accommodations are modest and cater mainly to divers—functional for rest and recovery but certainly not luxurious. Dining options are almost entirely comprised of traditional Chinese dishes made from locally sourced ingredients. While food enthusiasts may find this appealing, others might struggle with the lack of variety.
Before heading to the submerged cities, divers must complete a checkout dive in a lagoon near the staging area. This initial dive serves to acclimate participants to the lake’s unique conditions, which differ significantly from open ocean dives. Visibility is limited, often as little as five feet at the surface, and can reduce to just six inches near the lagoon floor. These conditions make it immediately clear how quickly visibility can deteriorate, especially if one diver disturbs the sediment with poor buoyancy or finning technique. Such disturbances can ruin the dive for everyone by clouding the water, so precision and control are essential.
The dive boats, capable of carrying six to eight divers, are docked in the lagoon. From there, it is only a ten-minute ride to the actual Lion City dive sites. Divers are typically organized into small groups with a guide. The descent into the lake is dramatic—light disappears quickly, and dive lights become mandatory as it essentially turns into a night dive at depth. The ruins lie between 85 to 130 feet below the surface.
Upon reaching the ancient structures, divers are often struck with awe. As beams of light cut through the darkness, detailed stonework emerges from the shadows. Visibility at the ruins is significantly better than in the lagoon, typically around 20 to 25 feet. The ancient city slowly reveals itself—arches, walls, towers, and carvings appear in breathtaking clarity. The structures are adorned with intricate dragons, phoenixes, and Chinese characters, showcasing the artistic heritage of the Tang Dynasty. Many of the stone structures are still intact, and remarkably, the lack of sun, wind, and rain has preserved them better than many above-ground ruins.
One of the most impressive sights is the elaborate carvings on the arches and walls. These panels, almost completely covering the surfaces, depict not only animals but also inscriptions in Chinese script, offering clues to the city’s function and historical context. While wandering through the ruins, divers also encounter trees still standing upright—ghostly remnants of the forest that once lined the city streets. In some areas, parts of the city appear to have toppled, though much remains in its original form. The experience is one of both discovery and reverence.
Notably, both stone and wooden structures have survived beneath the water. The lake’s conditions have preserved wood surprisingly well, though recovered beams tend to degrade rapidly once exposed to air. Seeing both types of materials side by side underwater offers a unique perspective on ancient construction techniques and the lake’s natural preservation qualities.
Choosing the best time to dive at Qiandao Lake is crucial. The months from April to October are generally considered ideal due to warmer air and water temperatures. In contrast, diving from November to March can be challenging due to colder weather, especially for those diving in wetsuits. During colder months, the water temperature can drop to between 7 and 16 degrees Celsius (45 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit). For instance, in early May, surface temperatures might be around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, but drop sharply to 48 degrees Fahrenheit below the thermocline.
To combat the cold, divers wearing wetsuits often layer a 3mm suit under a 7mm suit, along with gloves and hoods. Still, the cold may shorten dive durations, as divers tire quickly or consume more air. A drysuit offers much better thermal protection and is highly recommended, especially for those intending to spend extended time underwater for photography or videography. Given the effort required to reach this unique site, most divers want to maximize their time among the ruins.
The experience of diving in Lion City is unlike any other. It is a journey through time, a chance to witness a preserved slice of history hidden beneath the surface. From its grand arches to the meticulously carved dragons and phoenixes, the ancient city of Shi Cheng offers a powerful reminder of China’s rich and enduring legacy.
Architectural Marvels Beneath the Lake
As you continue your descent into the dark waters of Qiandao Lake, the sprawling outlines of Lion City emerge with increasing clarity. For divers, it feels like entering a time capsule. Each corner, passageway, and wall offers something striking—carvings, arches, beams, or symbols that have survived more than a millennium. The architecture of Shi Cheng is not just grand in scale but also intricate in its detail. The city reflects a planned design and aesthetic choices that were not only functional for the period but also artistically rich. From the configuration of five gates to the layout of its narrow alleyways and public spaces, every aspect of Lion City speaks to thoughtful urban planning. The stone used for construction has stood the test of time, and in the low-oxygen, low-light conditions underwater, the preservation of carvings is almost pristine. Some structures are several stories tall, rising with solid symmetry, showcasing the engineering precision of the Tang dynasty. Large blocks of stone are interlocked without modern mortar, a technique that has kept the walls standing even under decades of water pressure.
Perhaps the most impressive features are the arches—265 of them throughout the city. These are not plain gateways but ceremonial and decorative archways adorned with dragons, phoenixes, guardian lions, floral motifs, and Chinese characters. Every arch tells a different story. Some appear to be commemorative entrances to family compounds, while others likely served religious or administrative purposes. A particular archway near the center of the city is heavily carved with twin dragons chasing a flaming pearl, symbolizing prosperity and harmony. The dragons' scales, fangs, and facial expressions are all finely chiseled. Despite being submerged for decades, these carvings have suffered little erosion; their three-dimensional detail is still crisp and expressive. This preservation astonishes many experts and speaks to the uniqueness of the underwater environment in Qiandao Lake.
The wooden structures scattered around the ruins add another layer to this architectural wonder. In most environments, wood decomposes rapidly, but the cold, still, and mineral-rich waters of the lake have created a stable environment that resists decay. Roof beams, floor panels, and door frames are still identifiable. Divers have even found wooden support columns that have remained upright for over fifty years. However, once exposed to air, these wooden elements begin to deteriorate quickly, shrinking and cracking as they dry. Therefore, recovery is not a favored method of preservation. Instead, experts prefer to document and study the ruins in situ—preserving them as they are, underwater and untouched.
The Environment as a Time Capsule
The water that swallowed Lion City is, ironically, the reason for its stunning preservation. Unlike ruins on land that are exposed to weather, earthquakes, vegetation, and human interference, the underwater ruins of Shi Cheng remain shielded from natural erosion. The murky, oxygen-poor lake water has prevented the kind of biological growth—such as algae and lichen—that normally clings to stone. This lack of sunlight also discourages aquatic life from nesting in the structures. Apart from the occasional fish or freshwater crustacean passing through, the ruins remain largely undisturbed. This makes Qiandao Lake one of the most unique underwater archaeological sites in the world. It's not just a collection of scattered fragments—it is an entire city, preserved in full layout and detail, untouched by time and protected by water.
Diving through Lion City is like navigating a museum frozen in time. Unlike typical underwater dives where coral reefs, marine life, or shipwrecks dominate the landscape, here you move through a maze of streets and structures built by human hands long ago. It’s not difficult to imagine what the city might have looked like above water. Doorways, signage, walls, corridors, and even plaza spaces remain discernible. Because the ruins are so well preserved, researchers have been able to reconstruct maps of the city with remarkable accuracy. The arrangement of residential areas, temples, administrative buildings, and city gates gives clues into the everyday life of the people who once lived here.
The darkness below is another contributor to the city's mystique. Because visibility drops quickly below the surface, divers must rely on torches and high-powered underwater lights to explore. This limited light source focuses your attention. Each carving or structure seems to rise out of the abyss like a revelation. The experience is immersive. The lake becomes a lens through which history is magnified. As you float weightlessly above an ancient road or hover beside a broken archway, it feels as though you are suspended between two worlds—the modern surface above and the ancient one below.
Cultural and Historical Significance
Beyond the visual wonder, Shi Cheng is a monument to Chinese history. The city’s very name—Lion City—derives from the nearby Wu Shi (Five Lion) Mountain, a natural landmark that still towers over the lake. In ancient China, lions were not native animals, but they carried deep symbolic value, often representing power, guardianship, and imperial authority. Lion statues are commonly seen at entrances to temples, government buildings, and noble estates. In Shi Cheng, several stone lions remain in place, positioned to protect the gates and major roads within the city. These statues were not merely decorative. They served ceremonial and superstitious functions, believed to ward off evil spirits and safeguard prosperity.
The fact that the city had five main gates—unusual for Chinese cities of that period—suggests its importance in regional politics or trade. Most cities were designed with four cardinal gates, aligned to the north, south, east, and west. A fifth gate implies either a special relationship with the surrounding geography or a unique administrative arrangement. Historical texts and inscriptions found in the city support this theory. They mention officials, regional magistrates, and economic activity centered around the trade of textiles, tea, and wood products. While the Tang Dynasty is often celebrated for its cosmopolitan culture and political stability, Shi Cheng represents how even smaller cities were part of this flourishing network of governance and commerce.
He Cheng, the older of the two submerged cities, remains more enigmatic. Less has been discovered and documented about this site, possibly because it is deeper or more difficult to access. However, its presumed origin in the Han Dynasty places it in one of the most formative periods in Chinese civilization. During the Han era, Confucian values became embedded in Chinese institutions, and the structure of cities often reflected these hierarchical ideals. Temples, schools, and government buildings would have been centrally located, with residential areas spreading outward. Although fewer images and maps exist of He Cheng, divers and researchers continue to explore the area, hoping to unlock more secrets about its layout and purpose.
In 2011, the Zhejiang provincial government formally recognized the submerged cities as protected historical sites. This recognition has helped draw attention to the importance of underwater cultural heritage, not only in China but globally. International archaeologists have visited the site and praised its preservation. Several universities and heritage organizations have proposed virtual mapping projects and 3D modeling initiatives to document the ruins without disturbing them. These efforts seek to balance exploration with protection—a delicate task when dealing with something so unique and irreplaceable.
The Emotional Impact of the Dive
For divers, Lion City offers more than a sightseeing experience. It is an emotional and even spiritual journey. When you glide silently between stone columns, past lion guardians that have stood watch for over a thousand years, you become part of the city's story. The silence, broken only by the sound of your breathing, amplifies the gravity of what you are witnessing. It’s not merely about what you see—it’s about what you feel.
Some divers describe a sense of awe that borders on reverence. The city was built with intent and care, inhabited by people with hopes, rituals, families, and traditions. To see their legacy preserved so perfectly and yet so hidden creates a complex emotional reaction. You feel privileged to witness it, yet reminded of the fragility of time and the ever-changing nature of human civilization. The dive becomes an intimate experience with the past, one that leaves a lasting impression.
Others speak of the eeriness of the place. The lake’s stillness adds an almost supernatural quality to the ruins. Some structures appear frozen mid-collapse, as though stopped in time. Statues stare blankly into the darkness. Archways lead into rooms with no floors. A broken staircase rises into nothingness. These haunting visuals leave divers contemplative and often moved. There’s beauty here, but also solemnity.
Yet despite the ghostly feeling, Lion City does not feel dead. It feels paused—waiting to be remembered, waiting to be known again. The carvings, the characters on the walls, the pathways, and courtyards all invite interpretation. Some divers return multiple times, exploring different sectors and documenting details they missed before. With each dive, more of the city is understood, and more of its story is told.
Underwater photographers find the site particularly inspiring. The play of light and shadow, the angles of collapsing roofs and curved arches, and the mixture of organic decay and architectural strength create powerful compositions. It’s a place that captures the imagination and demands respect.
Not all visitors are divers. Some people come just to be near the lake, to learn about the city from exhibitions and guides. The government has expressed interest in developing more educational resources and possibly creating a museum or visitor center nearby. Already, virtual dives are being explored as a way for non-divers to experience the ruins through VR or immersive media. These initiatives may help ensure that the legacy of Shi Cheng and He Cheng is passed on to future generations, even if the ruins remain hidden beneath the water.
Exploring the Depths: Techniques and Challenges
Diving in Qiandao Lake presents a series of technical and environmental challenges that make the experience very different from oceanic or tropical reef dives. First and foremost, visibility is highly variable. While certain parts of the lake offer 20 to 25 feet of visibility, many areas—especially near the surface and around the lagoon—are much more difficult to navigate due to dense sediment and minimal light penetration. Silt clouds can quickly obscure a diver’s view, and without proper training in neutral buoyancy and finning technique, it's easy to stir up debris from the lakebed.
The Lion City ruins are located at a depth of 85 to 130 feet. This requires advanced certification for divers, particularly in deep diving, and ideally some experience with night diving. As divers descend, natural light rapidly disappears, and the environment turns pitch black without artificial illumination. High-powered dive lights become essential, not just for visibility but also for orientation and communication. Divers must be comfortable operating in darkness, where their entire sense of direction relies on instruments, tethers, and visual cues from dive buddies and guides.
Due to the depth and the cold temperatures—often as low as 7 to 8 degrees Celsius—most divers wear drysuits or layered wetsuits totaling up to 10mm in thickness. Exposure protection becomes a key factor in extending bottom time, as cold stress can rapidly increase air consumption and impair decision-making. Several divers who attempted the ruins in standard wetsuits had to abort dives early due to temperature-related discomfort or rapid depletion of their tanks.
The technical complexity of diving Lion City also involves careful dive planning. Since the ruins are not evenly distributed but laid out like a real city, navigation must be planned. Dive guides typically map routes before entering the water, identifying points of interest and plotting the direction of the current, potential hazards, and estimated air consumption. Safety stops are enforced rigorously, and all divers are briefed in detail before every dive.
The darkness of the lake bottom transforms the entire experience into a near-night dive. Strong beams of light slice through the water to reveal carvings, doorways, and statues. Many of the structures are partially buried under silt, and only a portion of the city has been fully explored. Because of the limited reach of diver lights and the looming risk of disorientation, most teams stay within visual range of their guide and return to the surface by a pre-set schedule. Emergency oxygen and communication devices are kept onboard the dive boat, which stays in proximity throughout the operation.
Technology and Documentation Efforts
One of the most exciting aspects of exploring Lion City is the increasing role of technology in its documentation and study. Traditional underwater photography and videography remain core tools for capturing the city’s features. Still, newer methods have emerged to preserve the ruins digitally and reduce the need for constant physical exploration, which can wear on the site over time.
Remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) have been deployed to explore deeper or less accessible parts of the ruins. These machines, fitted with high-definition cameras, sonar, and robotic arms, allow researchers to record visual and structural data without sending divers into dangerous territory. ROVs have proven especially useful in mapping out sections of He Cheng, the older city, which lies deeper than Shi Cheng and is less visited due to reduced visibility and increased depth.
Photogrammetry, a technique that uses multiple overlapping photographs to create accurate 3D models, has been employed extensively in recent years. Divers and ROVs capture thousands of images of the ruins from different angles. These are then processed through specialized software to generate virtual representations of the site. These 3D maps allow historians, archaeologists, and students to tour Lion City virtually, studying carvings and layouts with incredible detail—all without touching a single stone.
Another promising area of technological intervention is laser scanning. Though still in experimental stages for underwater archaeology, laser scanners have the potential to capture minute structural details with far more precision than traditional cameras. If successfully adapted for deep, murky lake conditions, this technology could revolutionize how submerged ruins are recorded and preserved.
Data collected from these methods has also been used to create educational tools. Several museums and academic institutions in China and abroad have created digital exhibits, allowing non-divers to explore Lion City through immersive videos, interactive diagrams, and annotated imagery. This growing interest has also sparked proposals for creating a full-scale underwater archaeological database—a catalog of every structure, carving, and artifact found within the submerged cities.
However, all of this progress comes with the challenge of balancing visibility and preservation. Too many dive trips, careless photography, or physical interaction with the ruins can lead to erosion or dislodging of fragile components. For this reason, some sections of the ruins are off-limits to recreational divers and can only be visited with special permits issued for research purposes.
Preparing for the Dive: Skills and Equipment
Exploring Lion City is not for novice divers. The combination of depth, low visibility, cold temperatures, and silt-heavy waters demands a specific skill set and appropriate equipment. At a minimum, divers should be certified to advanced open water level with logged experience in deep and night diving. Nitrox certification is also highly recommended, as it allows for longer bottom time and reduced nitrogen buildup, which becomes crucial when making multiple dives in a day.
Divers should be comfortable using a drysuit or heavy-layered wetsuit, and have practiced buoyancy control in limited visibility environments. Instructors leading trips to Lion City often conduct practice dives in local lakes or controlled conditions to ensure participants are ready for the challenges ahead. Training also includes emergency procedures, air management, and dive light signaling. Divers must know how to communicate underwater using light beams and hand signals, as verbal communication is impossible, and visibility with masks can be limited by fogging or sediment.
Standard gear includes a cold-water regulator, backplate, and wing BCD or jacket-style BCD with sufficient lift, dive computer, pressure gauge, and compass. Twin tank setups or high-capacity tanks are often preferred for deeper dives. Redundant systems, including a backup light and secondary regulator, are mandatory for safety. Divers also carry cutting tools in case of entanglement and surface marker buoys for signaling the boat in low-visibility surfacing conditions.
Each diver is typically assigned a buddy, and together they are supervised by a dive guide familiar with the ruins. Briefings before each dive outline navigation paths, depth profiles, time limits, and emergency exit procedures. For new visitors, the first dive usually serves as orientation, with more detailed exploration allowed in subsequent dives.
Photography and video are encouraged but should be undertaken responsibly. Strong camera lights are needed to capture the detail in carvings, but overexposure or physical contact with structures is discouraged. Buoyancy must be tightly managed to avoid bumping into walls or raising silt clouds that can obscure views and damage the site.
Conservation and the Future of Lion City
While Lion City has benefited from its watery grave in terms of preservation, it is not immune to threats. Natural degradation, rising tourism interest, and potential environmental changes caused by infrastructure development all pose risks to the site’s long-term integrity. As awareness of the city has grown, so too has the number of people eager to visit it, placing pressure on local resources and the ruins themselves.
Government agencies in Zhejiang Province, along with academic institutions, have taken steps to safeguard the site. Restrictions are now in place for the number of divers allowed per month, and permits are required for photography or video intended for publication. Researchers continue to monitor changes in the stonework, record water temperature shifts, and check for signs of biological growth or structural weakening.
There are also initiatives underway to promote sustainable tourism around Qiandao Lake. Instead of opening the site to mass tourism, plans are being considered to develop interpretive centers and virtual dive experiences. These facilities would allow the public to engage with Lion City without physical intrusion. Educational materials, VR goggles, and life-size replicas of arches and statues could help visitors understand the site's cultural value while protecting its fragile state.
Several conservation proposals focus on creating a protective underwater dome or netting system that could block debris, prevent invasive species, and regulate water flow around the ruins. Though costly, such systems could prolong the life of the submerged structures and allow for controlled archaeological dives in the future.
Perhaps the greatest legacy of Lion City is the awareness it brings to the importance of underwater cultural heritage. Sites like this remind us that not all history lies above ground, and not all ruins need to be excavated to be appreciated. They also raise important questions about how modern development should account for the protection of historical landscapes. The flooding that created Qiandao Lake may have submerged two cities, but it also accidentally preserved a cultural gem that continues to captivate and educate people from around the world.
The Dive Experience in Lion City: Depth, Visibility, and Equipment
Diving into the submerged ruins of Lion City is not an average recreational dive. This ancient metropolis lies between 26 to 40 meters deep beneath the surface of Qiandao Lake. The visibility is often affected by sediment and seasonal changes, ranging from a clear 10 meters during optimal times to as low as 2 meters in more turbulent periods. These conditions make it a site recommended primarily for advanced divers or professionals who are comfortable with deep diving, potential currents, and low visibility.
The dive begins at designated points around the lake, where certified guides help divers gear up and provide a pre-dive briefing. Divers use standard scuba gear with the option for technical diving equipment if the dive requires longer bottom times or deeper exploration into the submerged buildings. Due to the depth, Nitrox or Trimix can be used to extend dive time and reduce nitrogen loading.
A light is essential, even during the day, as the deeper you go, the less natural light penetrates the water. Most of Lion City's architecture is cloaked in greenish-blue hues, and having strong dive torches allows explorers to see the detailed carvings, roof eaves, archways, and even inscriptions that adorn the city’s submerged structures.
Some sections of Lion City are narrower and more enclosed, such as inner courtyards, rooms, or alleyways, so caution is advised. Divers are encouraged not to enter tight spaces without proper wreck-diving training or line markers. The silk-like silt that rests atop many surfaces can easily be disturbed, reducing visibility to zero in seconds.
Due to these complex dive dynamics, most excursions into Lion City are guided dives only. Local dive operators, trained in navigating the site, maintain strict adherence to safety protocols while allowing divers to enjoy this incredible underwater museum.
Photographic Opportunities and Challenges
Underwater photographers are drawn to Lion City for its mystical atmosphere and historical allure, but capturing its splendor is not always straightforward. The silted water, light attenuation, and depth require well-prepared setups. Wide-angle lenses are often the best choice to capture the grand architecture like city walls or temple roofs, while macro lenses are useful for the intricate carvings and tiny marine life that now populate the ruins.
Strobes or video lights are essential to restore the colors lost underwater and bring out the contrast and texture of submerged stonework. Photographers are advised to hover neutrally buoyant to avoid stirring up silt and to be respectful of the site—no touching, no sitting on structures, and no artifact collection.
Diving early in the morning often offers better light penetration and calmer waters, making it ideal for photography. Despite the challenges, successful photographs of Lion City portray a dreamlike world frozen in time—stone lions cloaked in algae, moss-covered gateways leading nowhere, and temple eaves rising from the murky depths.
These images serve not only as art but also as visual documentation of a city that very few have seen with their own eyes. Through photography, Lion City becomes accessible to the rest of the world, revealing its forgotten history through the lens of modern exploration.
Preserving the Submerged Legacy
Although Lion City has remained underwater since 1959, the increasing popularity of dive tourism brings both opportunities and threats. On one hand, diving interest fuels awareness, funding, and research efforts; on the other, it risks damaging fragile structures or disturbing an environment that has remained relatively untouched for decades.
Preservation efforts are underway to ensure Lion City remains intact for future generations. The Chinese government, in partnership with local environmental and cultural organizations, has placed restrictions on how and when diving can occur. Only licensed dive operators are permitted to conduct trips, and they must adhere to strict environmental and archaeological guidelines.
Monitoring of water quality, sediment movement, and ecological balance is part of ongoing conservation strategies. Moreover, 3D mapping and photogrammetry projects have been undertaken to digitally reconstruct Lion City’s submerged landscape. These digital models help researchers study the city's layout and provide a platform for virtual tourism, giving non-divers a chance to "visit" the ruins from their homes.
In a broader sense, the story of Lion City has become a case study in submerged cultural heritage management, inspiring conversations about how other flooded historical sites around the world can be protected and studied.
Qiandao Lake Beyond Lion City: A Complete Eco-Historic Experience
While Lion City is undoubtedly the crown jewel of Qiandao Lake, the region itself offers a rich blend of nature, culture, and modern comfort for visitors. Qiandao Lake—literally translated as “Thousand Island Lake”—is famed for its 1,078 islands, each covered in forests, tea gardens, or wild vegetation. Some islands have temples, pagodas, or small hotels that offer panoramic views of the emerald waters below.
Nature lovers can kayak, hike, or take boat tours around the lake. Bird watching is another activity that’s gaining popularity due to the lake’s diverse ecosystem. For those seeking luxury, Qiandao Lake has developed into a resort area with upscale hotels, wellness retreats, and spa experiences.
Culinary experiences also add to the appeal. The lake is known for its freshwater fish dishes, especially the popular Qiandao fish stew, which is served in most local restaurants. Tea from surrounding hills, especially Longjing tea, is another delicacy visitors enjoy while soaking in the serene lakeside ambiance.
Combined with a dive into history below the surface, the entire Qiandao Lake region offers a multi-dimensional journey—from submerged cities to mountain views, from ancient carvings to modern luxury.
Conclusion:
The sunken Lion City in Qiandao Lake is more than just a submerged town—it is a testament to resilience, history, and the enduring mystery of places lost to time. Its walls whisper stories from the Eastern Han Dynasty to the bustling trade of the Ming and Qing periods, now enveloped by silence and shadow beneath a lake that never meant to consume it.
For divers, it is a spiritual voyage into the past, where every stone and every arch tells a story untouched by modern hands. For historians and archaeologists, it is a window into urban life, architectural finesse, and cultural identity frozen in submersion. For China, it represents a balance between progress and preservation, showing how a displaced past can still shape the future.
The allure of Lion City lies not only in its rare underwater accessibility but also in the poignancy of its fate—intentionally flooded to make way for development, yet ironically preserved better than many land-based ruins. It’s a city that was silenced to make way for the future, only to find its voice again beneath the waves.
To explore Lion City is to confront the complex intersection of heritage and progress, nature and architecture, loss and rediscovery. Whether you dive into its waters or view it through photographs and 3D models, the experience is profound. It serves as a powerful reminder that history never really disappears—it simply waits, submerged in time, for those curious enough to seek it.