Xianhu Lake
and
Botanical Gardens
Located on the northern edge of the Shenzhen Economic Zone, at the base of a small mountain range, is a small wonder known as Xianhu Lake and Botanical Gardens (or sometimes Fairy Lake).
Xianhu contains the beautiful Hongfa Temple and Buddhist House rising up the sloping Wutong mountainside. At the base is the lake itself, surrounded by trees and small prayer pavillions. On one hill side, you can see a map of china created from a small grove of trees.
The lake and gardens extends over an area of 588 hectares. It is believed that three fairies, who were so captivated by the scenic landscape and secluded environment, decided to stay and make it their home. To honor these fairies, a temple was built at the foot of Wutong Mountain. The temple was later renovated and renamed Hongfa Temple (the temple for spreading Buddhist teachings).
Inside the Xianhu Lake Botanical Garden, one can see over 400 different types of plants, of which a significant number are recorded as rare species on the country's conservation list. This park and lake was commissioned by the former Premier of the Peoples Republic of China, Deng Xiao-Ping, in January, 1992. A number of the trees in the park were in fact planted by the Premier himself.
