Yangcheng Lake

Yangcheng Lake

Overview
Yangcheng Lake is a freshwater lake about 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) northeast of the city of Suzhou in Jiangsu Province, China. It is the most famous area of origin for the Chinese mitten crabs which are considered a delicacy. Yangchen lake is located between Lake Tai and the Yangtze River. It crosses the boundary of the cities Suzhou, Changshu and Kunshan and has a surface area of about 20 square kilometres (7.7 sq mi). Yangcheng Lake Aquatic Park is located at Yangcheng Lake, northwest of Kunshan City. 

It is expected to require investment of 450 million yuan ($73.35 million), with available funds of 200 million yuan ($32.6 million). The basic infrastructure has been completed, and the eastern part around the lake boasts more than 830,000 square meters afforested land.  

The park will cover an area of 3.79 square kilometers, including water area of 1.2 square kilometers, divided into eight areas with themes related to water and crabs, and will integrate tourism, leisure, health and shopping facilities – and much more. The construction of the Yangcheng Lake Aquatic Park adheres to the principle of maintaining the original style and the natural environment of the wetlands, with scientific planning and measures concerning water purification, and greening of the area – in a bid to become Kunshan's natural "air purifier".

Yangcheng Lake teems with aquatic wildlife, especially freshwater fishes like salmons, turtles, whitefish, eels, shrimps and crabs which together are called 'The Six Treasures in the Yangcheng Lake'. Among them, the most well-known is the crab which has won the fame as 'The King of the Crabs'. Thanks to the natural ecological environment, the crabs in Yangcheng Lake have four major characteristics that distinguish them from the others in other places. First, the crabs here always have smooth and lustrous blue-grey shells. Second, the belly, the belly button, and the crust close to the mud of the crabs are pure white and crystal-like without any black spots. Third, the hairs on the crab's feet are rather long, yellow, and straight. Fourth, their claws are golden and strong, with which they can stand still even if placed on a piece of glass.

Hairy Crab in Yangcheng Lake
"When the autumn wind starts, the legs of crabs itch," as the famous Chinese saying goes.  Autumn is the season to harvest nature's culinary treasure, as the fertile, protected, lakes around Shanghai bear forth the ultimate in savory Chinese cuisine - the hairy crab. Yangcheng Lake in neighboring Jiangsu province for generations has been the destination for crab connoisseurs from near and far who will travel to experience this very seasonal crab that matures only two to three months every year. The water quality of the Yangcheng Lake is good and makes the hairy crab meat clean and slightly sweet. The crab season officially starts in the ninth lunar month for female crab and the 10th for male crab. Each crab weighs between 180 and 250 grams. There are three important characteristics when it comes to identifying the famous Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs. 

First and foremost, only the crabs from the Yangtze River Delta have a dark bluish-green shell. Second is the plump hairy legs, indicating the crabs are healthy. The last and perhaps most important indicator is a white and clean crab bottom, which shows that the crabs have grown up in a clean environment. The purest way to cook the hairy crab is to steam it, which preserves its original flavor. The crab must be upside down to get the most flavor and juices trapped in the upper shell.

Yangcheng Lake Hairy Crab Festival
From September to December this year, the MICE Association and Yangcheng Lake Hairy Crabs Association of Suzhou are jointly holding the first International Business Culture Festival of Yangcheng Lake Hairy Crabs. Among the activities held during the festival will be events called "Publicizing Suzhou with Crabs", "Spreading Culture with Crabs", "Meeting Friends by Eating Crabs" and "Doing Business by Selling Crabs". Business figures from various circles at home and abroad, enterprise CEOs, government officials and leaders of business associations have been invited to gather in Suzhou. With almost 80 cultural activities, the festival will provide guests with a feast of both crabmeat and culture. A news conference for the Hairy Crabs Business Culture Festival will be held on Sept 11 in Beijing, followed by "The Best Crab Banquet of Our Capital". It is the first time authentic Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs will be officially promoted outside Suzhou.

Transportation:
Taxi :  It takes about 15 minutes. (around  CNY40)

Bus Routes: 
1. Take bus No.107 at Kunshan Railway Station and get off at Bacheng Town.
2. Take Minibus No.118 at Kunshan Railway Station or Kunshan Bus Station to the lake directly.

Travel Guide
Admission Fee: Free
Rating: AAA
Add: No 15, Hubin middle road, Bacheng town, Kunshan
Tel: 0512-57658371
Time for Visit: The whole day