The Hidden Gem of Xuancheng, Anhui - Crocodile Lake of China

I stumbled upon a tourist spot called Crocodile Lake of China in Xuancheng, Anhui, which is actually the Yangtze Alligator Breeding Research Center, located in the southern suburbs of Xuancheng's Xuanzhou District. Established in 1979, Crocodile Lake of China is the largest Chinese alligator conservation base in the country. Ancient people referred to the Yangtze alligator as 'tuo' (pronounced 'tuo'), an ancient Chinese pictograph that easily conjures the image of an animal covered in scales with a long tail. Before visiting, I always thought crocodiles were fierce creatures, but of the 23 extant crocodilian species on Earth, only the Yangtze alligator and the American alligator from the Mississippi River live in temperate freshwater environments, and the Yangtze alligator is the smallest in size, slowest in movement, and most docile in temperament. Only after visiting did I realize that although it's a lesser-known spot, it's not only a national nature reserve and research base but also a beautiful tourist and sightseeing destination. Inside the park, besides the numerous Yangtze alligators, the natural scenery is also stunning, with green trees along the lakeside, birds singing and flowers fragrant, and groups of wild ducks and egrets swimming in the wetlands, making it a natural ecological forest park. After visiting Crocodile Lake, there's also a Yangtze Alligator Museum at the far end of the park, where you can learn about the history, habits, and conservation significance of the Yangtze alligator. The museum's exhibition hall also uses photoelectric technology to provide a comprehensive display of the Yangtze alligator's history, ecology, and environmental protection knowledge, which is very interesting and suitable for family fun. The ticket price for the scenic area is also inexpensive, at 30 yuan per person. If you book online one day in advance, it's only 25 yuan per person. This price is indeed very worthwhile.