Jinlong Lake, Xuzhou

Hidden in the heart of Xuzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone, Jinlong Lake Scenic Area (金龙湖风景区) is a fascinating example of how a damaged landscape can be transformed into a vibrant urban oasis. Unlike a traditional tourist attraction, Jinlong Lake is an open, free-entry national water conservancy scenic area with no walls or entrance gates.

Even more remarkable, part of the scenic area was once an abandoned quarry scarred by years of stone extraction. Today, more than 380 mu of lake and green space have been transformed into a peaceful destination where forests, waterfalls, walking trails, and lakeside neighborhoods come together.

If you want to experience an unusual side of Xuzhou, Jinlong Lake offers a chance to see how a city's scars can gradually become one of its most beautiful landscapes.

One Lake, Three Experiences: Lake, Mountain and Street

What makes Jinlong Lake special is its combination of three distinctly different environments: the lake, the mountain and the street. Each has its own character, yet together they create a complete picture of modern Xuzhou.

The Lake is Jinlong Lake itself. Covering around 380 mu, the lake has a 3.7-kilometer shoreline that is ideal for walking and relaxing. Ruyi Island (如意岛) lies quietly in the middle of the lake. From a distance, its shape resembles a heart, while groups of white egrets can often be seen resting around the island.

The Mountain refers to Zhushan Quarry Park (珠山宕口公园). Once heavily damaged by uncontrolled quarrying, the area has been transformed into what is regarded as China's first quarry ecological restoration park. Dense woodland, dramatic rock walls, waterfalls, and walking trails give this former quarry a rugged character that contrasts beautifully with the surrounding city.

The Street is represented by the lively Jinlong Lake Xintiandi district. Blue-and-white arched windows and European-inspired buildings create a distinctive atmosphere, especially after dark, when restaurants, lights, and evening crowds fill the area with energy.

In a simple way, you could say: the lake nourishes the mind, the mountain strengthens the spirit, and the street brings the area to life. Together, they make Jinlong Lake more than just a scenic attraction—it has become an important recreational and cultural space for the people of Xuzhou.

The Quarry Miracle: From a Scarred Mountain to a Green Park

The most impressive story of Jinlong Lake can be found at Zhushan Quarry Park.

The area was once considered a dangerous and heavily damaged zone. Decades of quarrying left the mountainside with enormous exposed cuts, loose rocks, and large areas of barren ground. The landscape seemed far removed from anything resembling a modern urban park.

The transformation began with a major ecological restoration project. More than 20,000 cubic meters of soil were transported to fill damaged areas, while over 20,000 trees and shrubs were planted. A 550-meter circular wooden boardwalk was built around the mountain, and water was introduced to create a series of waterfalls and pools.

Today, traces of the former quarry have deliberately been preserved, creating a distinctive landscape where industrial scars meet the aesthetics of a Jiangnan-style garden. What was once a barren quarry has become a green urban forest and one of Jinlong Lake's most memorable attractions.

The park has even attracted overseas visitors. When a Korean travel blogger visited, they were reportedly surprised to discover that the ecological park had once been an abandoned quarry.

Zhushan Waterfall

Zhushan Waterfall (珠山瀑布) is one of the park's signature attractions. Water cascades down the restored rock landscape, creating a refreshing contrast with the rugged quarry walls.

The waterfall is particularly impressive after periods of rainfall or during the summer when water levels are higher.

Suspended Viewing Platform

The Suspended Viewing Platform offers one of the best viewpoints in Zhushan Quarry Park. From above, you can look down into the dramatic U-shaped quarry valley and appreciate the scale of the ecological restoration.

It is also one of the best locations for panoramic photographs.

Glass Boardwalk

For a more thrilling experience, walk along the glass boardwalk, where the landscape opens beneath your feet. The glass walkway overlooks the 12-meter-deep Emerald Pool, offering a different perspective of the restored quarry.

Early morning is a good time for photography because the glass is less likely to suffer from strong reflections.

Sun Pond and Moon Pond

The Sun Pond and Moon Pond are two artificial lakes surrounded by greenery and rock formations. Their calm surfaces reflect the surrounding mountains and vegetation, creating some of the quieter and more picturesque corners of the park.

Rainbow Bridge

The brightly colored Rainbow Bridge stands out against the natural landscape. Its vivid appearance creates a strong visual contrast with the surrounding forests and stone cliffs, making it another popular photography spot.

Everyday Life by the Lake: The Most Authentic Side of Jinlong Lake

The charm of Jinlong Lake is not limited to its scenery. Perhaps its most appealing quality is the everyday life that takes place within the landscape.

In the afternoon, white egrets rest around the island while local residents gather beside the lake for a game of Chinese chess. Children run along the paths, cyclists pass through the park, and families stroll beside the water.

As evening approaches, the atmosphere becomes even more relaxed. The setting sun turns the surface of the lake golden, while people finish their games of chess and others begin their evening walks.

This is the real character of Jinlong Lake. It is not a carefully staged version of Xuzhou designed only for tourists, but a place where local residents genuinely spend their free time.

That relaxed atmosphere is perhaps one of the best reasons to visit. You can simply sit beside the lake for an hour or two, watch the changing light, and enjoy the feeling that there is nowhere else you need to be.

Best Time to Visit Jinlong Lake

Jinlong Lake can be visited throughout the year, with each season offering a different atmosphere.

Spring brings flowers and fresh greenery, making it a pleasant season for walking around the lake and exploring the quarry park.

Summer is particularly attractive for the waterfalls, which are usually at their most impressive when water levels are higher. Lotus flowers also bloom around the lake, adding another layer of color to the landscape.

Late autumn is a beautiful time to visit the forest areas, especially around the maple trees, when the paths can be covered with colorful autumn leaves.

Winter is quieter, with fewer visitors and a more peaceful atmosphere around the lake. The bare trees and still water create a distinctly different landscape.

Practical Information for Visiting Jinlong Lake

Opening Hours:
Jinlong Lake Scenic Area is open 24 hours and free to enter. Zhushan Quarry Park is open from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Zhushan Waterfall is generally open from 9:00–11:00 AM and 2:00–5:00 PM.

Recommended Visiting Time:
Allow around 3–6 hours for your visit. Walking around the lake and exploring Zhushan Quarry Park takes roughly three hours, while travelers who want to experience all three sides of the area—lake, mountain, and street—can comfortably spend half a day.

By Metro:
Take Metro Line 1 to Jinlong Lake Station (金龙湖站) and leave through Exit 5. Zhushan Quarry Park is approximately 900 meters from the station.

By Bus:
Several bus routes, including Routes 10, 26, 70, 80 and 81, stop near Science and Technology Building (科技大厦). From there, walk about 800 meters toward Longhu North Road.

By Car:
Navigate to Jinlong Lake Quarry Park or Jinlong Lake Scenic Area. Parking facilities are available around the scenic area.

Best Photography Spots at Jinlong Lake

Jinlong Lake offers a wide variety of photography opportunities, from natural scenery to restored industrial landscapes.

• Suspended Viewing Platform: The best viewpoint for photographing the U-shaped quarry valley.
• Glass Boardwalk: Visit in the early morning, ideally around 7:00–9:00 AM, when reflections on the glass are less noticeable.
• Zhushan Waterfall: Try a slower shutter speed to create a silky effect in the flowing water.
• Mingzhu Cultural Plaza: Eight cultural columns stand in the square, decorated with portraits of 24 Chinese and international scientists.
• European-style Buildings: The blue-and-white arched windows and distinctive architecture of Jinlong Lake Xintiandi provide a contrasting urban backdrop.

Travel Tips

The glass boardwalk can become slippery in rainy weather, so wear shoes with good traction.

If you plan to fly a drone, you should complete the required registration through the “Pengcheng Feishou” (彭城飞手) mini program in advance.

Mosquitoes can be more active during summer, so insect repellent is recommended. In spring and autumn, temperatures can vary considerably between morning and evening, so bringing an extra layer is useful.

For the best overall experience, consider arriving in the afternoon and staying until sunset. This allows you to enjoy the lake during daylight and then continue to Jinlong Lake Xintiandi after dark.

Explore More Around Jinlong Lake

Jinlong Lake Scenic Area is generally considered to include Jinlong Lake Park, Zhushan Quarry Park, and Baolian Temple (宝莲寺), making it easy to combine natural scenery, ecological restoration, and cultural attractions in a single outing.

After exploring the lake and quarry park, Baolian Temple is well worth visiting. This historic Buddhist temple is home to Tongtian Pavilion, one of China's tallest Buddhist pavilions, and offers a completely different cultural atmosphere.

In the evening, head to Jinlong Lake Xintiandi to explore its European-style buildings, restaurants, and lakeside nightlife. The area is especially pleasant after sunset when the buildings and streets become illuminated.

If you have more time, several of Xuzhou's major attractions, including Xuzhou Museum, Yunlong Mountain, and Fuguo Street, can generally be reached within around 30 minutes by car, depending on traffic.

Why Visit Jinlong Lake?

From an abandoned quarry to a national water conservancy scenic area, Jinlong Lake represents an impressive example of urban ecological restoration.

The transformation did not simply erase the scars left by quarrying. Instead, the former industrial landscape was incorporated into the new park, allowing rock walls, valleys, forests, waterfalls, and lakes to become part of the area's identity.

Best of all, there is no entrance fee and no enclosing wall. Jinlong Lake simply opens itself to the city, becoming a place where residents and visitors can walk, exercise, take photographs, enjoy nature, or spend an unhurried afternoon.

If you are looking for a place in Xuzhou where ecological restoration, natural scenery, and everyday local life come together, Jinlong Lake is well worth adding to your itinerary.

Here, the lake is a flowing poem, the mountain is a silent record of the past, and the entire landscape tells the story of how a city can heal and reinvent itself.