Weekend Trip to Ying Lake: A 70 Yuan Ticket for a Landscape Painting

Three hours from Xi’an, I found Shaanxi’s own “Thousand Island Lake” Last weekend, on a whim, my family and I decided to visit the Ying Lake Scenic Area. Departing from Xi’an, we drove south along the highway for about three hours to reach this scenic spot located southwest of Ankang City. Ying Lake is the largest freshwater lake in the five northwestern provinces and is known as the “Shaanxi Thousand Island Lake.” It covers an area of 77 square kilometers, with islands scattered like stars across the lake. The entrance ticket costs 70 yuan, but after entering the park, I realized that to truly enjoy the lake and mountain scenery, you must also buy a 40 yuan boat ticket. At first, I was a bit puzzled, but after more than an hour of cruising through multiple islands, I felt the boat ticket was well worth it. 01 North Gate Route: Lake Scenery and Island Exploration We chose the North Gate route, departing from the North Gate dock, passing Yuxing Island and Jinluo Island, and finally reaching Tangjia Lianzi before returning. The boat slowly left the dock, and the lake gradually opened up. The water was clear and emerald green, surrounded by rolling hills, truly giving the feeling of “sailing on emerald waves, traveling inside a painting.” The guide explained that Ying Lake is an artificial lake formed by the dam of the Ankang Hydropower Station, with a dam height of 128 meters, known as “Shaanxi’s Number One Dam.” The first stop was Yuxing Island. From afar, this island looks like a big fish swimming in the lake, which is why it was originally called “Fish Heart Island.” The island is shaded with lush trees, making it an ideal spot for peaceful fishing. Next was Jinluo Island, one of Ying Lake’s key attractions, named for its resemblance to a conch shell. The most eye-catching feature on the island is the Luofeng Tower, five stories high. Climbing to the top offers a panoramic view of the magnificent Ying Lake. The island also has a wishing pool and a wedding customs museum, themed around love, making it perfect for couples. Between Jinluo Island and Cuiping Island is the Ying Lake Zoo, home to ostriches, pearl chickens, blue peacocks, sika deer, and rare animals from the Qinba Mountains such as giant salamanders and black bears. We saw a peacock spreading its tail, which excited the children greatly. The floating bridge connecting Jinluo Island and Tangjia Lianzi is the only way back. Here, there are water activities like fountains and yachts, which the kids enjoyed immensely. The last stop, Tangjia Lianzi, is relatively simple, with a patch of pink flowers perfect for photos, but not many other attractions. 02 Cuiping Island: A Beautiful Island Like a Peacock Spreading Its Tail Besides the North Gate route, Ying Lake also has a South Gate route, mainly touring Cuiping Island, Yuxing Island, and Jinluo Island. Cuiping Island, viewed from above, looks like a peacock spreading its tail, surrounded by green mountains and clear water, hence its name. The island has a three-star hotel, Cuiping Mountain Villa, a botanical garden, and supporting facilities connecting to the lakeshore. If you don’t want to make a day trip, staying overnight here is a good option. The island features the Yuqing Suspension Bridge, 161 meters long, with four ancient pavilions on the bridge, making it a great spot to enjoy the lake view. 03 Practical Information and Experience Tickets: Adults 70 yuan, students and children 35 yuan, children under 1.2 meters and seniors over 65 free. Boat ticket 40 yuan (mandatory). Opening hours: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Recommended visit duration: About 4 hours. Transportation: From Ankang Railway Station, take a bus to the city center, then transfer to a shuttle to Ying Lake dock. If driving from Xi’an, take the Baomao Expressway to Ankang, then follow Ankang Avenue and S207 to reach Ying Lake Scenic Area. Dining: There are many restaurants at the park entrance, mainly featuring fish dishes. Various snack stalls are also available on the islands to try local specialties. On the day we visited, the hydropower station at the park entrance was releasing floodwaters, creating a spectacular scene. Huge water jets gushed from the sluice gates like a stampede of horses, truly breathtaking. If you encounter a flood release, don’t miss this sight. At dusk, we set off for home. Looking back at Ying Lake, the sunset bathed the lake in golden light, the distant mountains dark and serene, and the water and sky blended into one. This trip to Ying Lake cost us less than 200 yuan in total (including tickets, boat fare, and simple meals), yet it allowed us to appreciate the rare lake and mountain scenery of Shaanxi. If you are in southern Shaanxi and want a weekend getaway, Ying Lake is a great choice. But if you are making a long trip just to come here, you might want to adjust your expectations—it’s more like an elegant ink painting than a vivid oil painting.