Lake Tai

The Tai Hu (Chinese太湖, Pinyin Tài Hu, large lake ') is 2,250 km ² is the third largest freshwater lake in China. It is located in the Yangtze River Delta near the city of Wuxi.

The lake is famous for the Taihu stones, perforated and strangely shaped limestones, which are used mainly by the Chinese horticulture. The best view of the Tai Hu is from Xihui Park (锡惠公园), west of Wuxi on the Dragon Light Pagoda (龙 光塔, Lóngguāngtǎ ).

The lake itself is an average of only 2 feet deep and has about 90 islands. He is connected to the Grand Canal and is the main water source of several rivers, including Suzhou.

Although environmentalists like Wu Lihong warned of an environmental catastrophe, the lake turned over in 2007, so that several million cities such as Wuxi had no drinking water. Then it was announced to close 2000 chemical factories. 2010 said Wu Lihong, that none of the factories were closed, but blue-green algae were removed with boats from the lake.

Islands Peninsulas

The Sea Islands are considered rural fruit-growing and fishing venues Islands. Main fruit products are tangerines. Delicacy in the fisheries sector are freshwater crabs. The islands are developed into recreational areas since the swelling of urban centers Shanghai and Suzhou. The peninsulas, island group Xishanzhen and north shore strips are in rapid transition.

Agriculture

• On the barren lake islands dominated the growing mandarins.
• In fisheries, many traps are brought into use. Specialty of the lake is freshwater crabs.

Sports

For several years, the Chinese Cycling Federation organized alongside the Tour de Beijing, the tour TOUR of Lake TaiHu around the Tai Hu. The races UCI- have status and are eligible for GS1 professional teams. The race 150 km west of Shanghai medial encounters rather moderate interest and is carried out by the Chinese decision-makers for reasons of prestige.