Nanjing Attractions,Nanjing Popular Tourists Attractions Guide

Xuanwu (Profound Military) Lake is in the northeast portion of Nanjing City near the railway station.

The lake covers an area of 444 hectares with a coastline of 15 kilometers in circumferences.

According to legend, in the Southern Dynasty, a black dragon was seen in the lake. Chinese Taoists believed that the black dragon was a water god appearing in the uniform of a turtle and snake, called Xuanwu. Hence the lake was called Xuwu Lake.

Another legend said stated that when Sun Quan, the King of the Eastern Wu Kingdom settled down in the region, he brought water in and made this lake.

Geological study shows that the lake was actually formed by the movements of the geological plates when Mountain Yanshan was formed.

In the long history of China, the lake had has been used by many dynasties as an ideal place spot to train their waterborne troops. Many military demonstrations had been held here and a lot of battles were fought here. Therefore, the lake was also called "Military Rehearsal Lake" or "Kunming Lake."

At the end of the Qing Dynasty, it was turned into a park. The lake today is beautiful with its water and colorful mountains.