Qiandao Lake, Artificial lake and archaeological site in Jiande, China
Qiandao Lake is a man-made reservoir in Jiande County, Zhejiang Province, that holds more than one thousand forested islands scattered across its surface. The water reaches several meters of visibility depth and supports both drinking water supply and freshwater fish farming operations.
A hydroelectric dam on the Xin'an River flooded the ancient city of Shicheng in 1959, which had been founded during the Eastern Han Dynasty between the 1st and 3rd centuries. The submerged city walls and streets remained preserved underwater and were rediscovered by divers only decades later.
The underwater ruins of Lion City contain 265 stone arches and preserved streets that reflect the architectural methods of the Eastern Han Dynasty.
Water temperature stays between 15 and 17 degrees Celsius (59 to 63 degrees Fahrenheit) throughout the year, allowing for boat trips and fishing tours in any season. Several islands are reachable by ferry and offer walking trails through forested slopes.
The submerged Lion City sits at depths between 26 and 40 meters (85 to 131 feet) and features five city gates, while most traditional Chinese old cities had only four. Several hundred stone arches and house portals have remained nearly undamaged beneath the lakebed.
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