Nanjing City, Capital of Jiangsu Province

Xuanwu Lake

The Ming dynasty 600 years ago used Xuanwu lake as a royal navy training base. The lake lies northeast of the city near the railway station, out of the city wall. It used to be the drilling camp of the imperial navy and recreation center of aristocrats. At the end of the Qing dynasty, it was turned into a park, which occupied an area of 434 hectares with 368 hectares in water. It was said that once a black dragon was seen in the lake. Then it was named Xuanwu Lake, since black dragon was considered God of Water, respected as Xuanwu in Chinese Taoism.

Photo courtesy of my good friend Mr. Zheng Rong