Dongqian Lake./东钱湖[Photo by Yang Yulin] 杨雨林摄

　　Dongqian Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake in Zhejiang Province, consisting of Guzi Lake, Mei Lake and Outer Lake. Its area is equivalent to four times that of West Lake in Hangzhou. Renowned Chinese writer Mr. Guo Moruo praised Dongqian Lake as being "as beautiful as West Lake, as majestic as Taihu Lake".

　　东钱湖是浙江省最大的天然淡水湖，由谷子湖、梅湖和外湖组成，面积相当于4个杭州西湖，被郭沫若先生誉为“西湖风光、太湖气魄”。

　　Fuquan Mountain is one of the main scenic spots of Dongqian Lake, known for its pristine fresh air. Most of the peaks are between 200 to 300 meters above sea level. The tallest is Wanghai Peak, at 556 meters. It is the best place in Ningbo to view the sunrise over the East China Sea.

　　福泉山是东钱湖核心景区之一，被喻为“天然氧吧”。山峰多在海拔200米至300米，其中望海峰为556米，是宁波市内观看东海日出最佳之地。

　　Dongqian Lake was called "Qian Lake" in ancient times, after "Qian Dai". According to legend, Fan Li, a scholar-official of the State of Yue in the Spring and Autumn Period over two thousand years ago, lived on the shores of Dongqian Lake after retiring from office with Xishi, one of the four legendary beauties of ancient China.

　　东钱湖古称“钱湖”，以其上承钱埭之水而得名。相传春秋时越国大夫范蠡隐退后，携西施避居东钱湖畔，流传着财富与爱情的动人传说。

　　Dongqian Lake served as an inspiration for 11th-century poet Wang Anshi. In more recent times, 20th-century painter Sha Menghai chose Dongqian Lake as the location for his art school. Around the lake are many temples, stone inscriptions, historical buildings, and monuments, forming a profound cultural legacy that complements the beautiful landscape of Dongqian Lake.

　　东钱湖古有王安石留下的足迹，今有沙孟海挥过毫的书院。环湖遍布庙宇、石刻、牌坊、楼台等古迹，给山水秀丽的东钱湖奠基了深厚的文化底蕴。

　　Tiantong Temple near Dongqian Lake is one of the world’s five main Buddhist pilgrimage sites, with a history of 1,600 years and well-known in Japan and Southeast Asian countries. Two other historical temples, King Ashoka Temple and Daci Temple, are also situated on the shores of Dongqian Lake.

　　东钱湖区域内的天童寺为佛教禅宗五山之一，至今已有1600年历史，在日本和东南亚各国影响很大，另有阿育王寺、大慈禅寺等千年古刹闻名中外。

　　By Dong Na