In winter, everything in the Hongze Lake wetland returns to its original and natural colors. Sometimes winter is interpreted into a bleak and cold season, but there are still some different sceneries to enjoy, for example withered trees are still gorgeous, and the tranquil lake still serves as a source for nourishing life like clusters of migratory birds and reed flowers. To get rid of the coldness, it is available to take a bath in hot spring, or enjoy a delicious meal with heat wine, just to appreciate the exquisite gifts of nature in winter.
First Stop Come to Know the Wetland in Winter
Hongze Lake Wetland Scenic Area in Sihong County, Suqian, is the largest wetland nature reserve in Jiangsu Province. It’s famous for its beautiful scenery and abundant natural resources. More than 200 species of migratory birds would live through the winter here every year, including rare birds such as cranes and swans. Even in early winter, the area still has a high humidity for the vast lake and a pleasant temperature, which are ideal for migratory birds to live here, making the place full of vigor.
During daytime, the labyrinth of golden reeds and white reed catkins is like billowing wheat fields, with migratory birds passing over from time to time, making the coldness in winter fade-away; the bright colors of the Metasequoia forest in autumn remain, leading to a quiet feeling; visitors can also learn about the wetland culture covering the changes in the wetland and knowledge of animals and plants here in the Hongze Lake Wetland Museum; at sunset, migratory birds like swans, wild ducks, and wild geese play and forage on the water, with the background of the sunset clouds, presenting a “movie of winter” for visitors.
Second Stop Journey of Wellness in the Hot Spring Resorts
Hongze Lake Wetland Hot Spring Resort, located in the 10,000-mu Metasequoia forest, boasts high-quality water rich in minerals, including strontium, bromine, lithium, iodine, and metasilicic acid. In addition, there are numerous types of hot springs in the resort, such as the angelica pool, ginger pool, and mugwort pool for health improvement and wellness; the petal pool and lavender pool for moisturizing the skin, making here an ideal place for enjoying spa service.
With the hot springs in the wetland forests, open-air bath is offered for visitors to enjoy both the warm water and the attractive scenery of the Metasequoia forest, while getting rid of the coldness in winter. At this moment, guests, surrounded by the dense trees, are allowed to enjoy the tranquility and happiness, leaving all the troubles and trivial matters in life behind. It will be such a wonderful experience to have a nice chat with close friends in the small courtyard while soaking up the sun after enjoying the hot springs.
Third Stop Feast of Local Delicacies
Special local delicacies made of fresh ingredients harvested from the natural freshwater resources of Hongze Lake are too good to miss, including fried little-fish dumplings, Hongze Lake hairy crabs, which can always satisfy the appetite of the tourists.
Visitors can’t miss the opportunity to have a taste of fried little-fish dumplings, a delicacy created by the fishermen of Hongze Lake, on the fishing boats on the lakeside or fishermen’s houses on the shore. The flavor of the crispy pancake in golden color with delicious soup of fresh little fish is just like the most original taste of life, which is plain and soothing. Early winter is the last opportunity to taste hairy crabs every year. The attractive superb hairy crabs grown in the pollution-free Hongze Lake are too delicious to cook much, as steaming is sufficient to serve, the plump and transparent crab cream hidden inside the shell, as well as the orange oily crab roe, are nothing but satisfactory for every diner for the mellowness and freshness.
As the cold winter has come quietly, we have our ways to keep the warmth of the wetland, as it is still full of vitality from the dense forests and gathering migratory birds, endowing Suqian, a city of love, affection and stories, with a distinctive romantic feeling.
