Tianmu Lake

Tianmu Lake Tourism Zone is 8 kilometers (5 miles) away from downtown Liyang in Changzhou of Jiangsu Province. The lake is named so because it is a branch of Tianmu Mountain. Dotted with beautiful scenery on or around the lake, the tourism zone has the reputation of “Green Fairyland”. Four scenic sites are open now for tourists to enjoy:
 

As the core attraction of Tianmu Lake, this landscape park is surrounded by mountains and water. 95% of the park is covered by forest. A wide variety of trees, flowers and herbs attract dozens of wild creatures too.

Within the park are the major attractions of Filial Piety Park, Scholar Culture Area and Chinese Tea Island. You can also take a cruise boat to enjoy the lake’s natural landscape and beautiful islands. Besides that, there is Colorful Butterflies Island with three exhibition halls and animals’ performance in Elves’ Park.
 

Located in Landscape Park, this Water World is the only water park built on a lakeside with ecological and natural landscape in East China. It is only open from June 16th to August 31st every summer. Covered by lush vegetations, Tianmu Lake Water World will shelter you from exposure to the burning sun. The major entertainment projects in this Water World are “Great Python”, “Mega Bowl Slideway” and “Children’s Park”.

“Great Python” is a water chute hung in the air with the length of 18 meters (20 yards). You can take an inflatable raft to swiftly plunge down along the colorful chute. Just shout and enjoy the thrilling trip. Or you can take the raft to drift in the great artificial ocean waves, the highest of which is 1.2 meters (3.9 feet). The simulated scene makes you feel as though you are travelling on the ocean.

There is another entertainment project - “Mega Bowl Slideway”. Firstly, falling down along the chute to a super “bowl”, and then you will suddenly sink down through a huge hole. You will feel scared only to discover you have come safely into a bright place.

“Children’s Park” is a water paradise built specially for kids. Various water chutes bring children much pleasure. Besides that, there are all kinds of toys provided for them.
 

Situated about 18 kilometers (11 miles) away from Tianmu Lake Landscape Park, is Nanshan Bamboo Sea. This is an area of boundless bamboo forest and several mountains including Longevity Mountain. Climbing onto its Wuyuedi Peak of 508 meters (1,666 feet), you will have a panoramic view of the entire scenic area.

Here, the most typical attraction is Bamboo Park and three Bamboo Halls. Strolling in the bamboo forest, you can breathe in fresh air and feel the peace and quietness of the Nature.

Longevity Mountain is a representative attraction of longevity culture in Nanshan Bamboo Sea. The healthy natural environment of Longevity Mountain enables dwellers in the surrounding villages to live much longer. The oldest person in China lives here and it is where you will find the Longevity Square and Longevity Hall.
 

Adjacent to Nanshan Bamboo Sea, this Spa Zone near Tianmu Lake is the only spa zone in a bamboo forest in East China. Tianmu Lake Spa Zone is located around a geothermal well on the margin of a volcanic rock basin. The thermal spring  in Tianmu Lake Spa Zone is rich in minerals and other trace elements and frequent bathing in its water is good for easing tiredness and good health.

Altogether, there are six spa areas with a total of fifty-two landscape pools. In addition, there are 5-star hotels, a retail zone for shopping, leisure zone and a Hot Spring Museum.
 

To get to the tourism zone, one need to get to Liyang first and the most popular way is by high speed train. There are high speed trains from Shanghai, Nanjing, Hangzhou and many other nearby cities. You may check the real-time schedule at: China Train

You can take a special tourism bus from Liyang Railway Station to the scenic sites. The bus schedule is listed below:
Departure from Liyang Railway Station: 9:40, 10:40, 11:40, 12:50, 13:50, 14:50, and two additional departures at 8:40 and 15:50 on weekends. It takes about 15 minutes to Landscape Park and Water World, and 50 minutes to Nanshan Bamboo Sea and Spa Zone. 

Departure from Nanshan Bamboo Sea and Spa Zone: 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 17:00, and two additional ones at 10:00 and 16:00 on weekends. The buses stop about 50 minutes later at Landscape Park and Water World to pick up visitors.