Xuanwu (black dragon) Lake:

It Xuanwu Lake is in the northeast portion of Nanjing city City near the railway station. The lake covers an area of 444 ha with a coastline of 15 kilometers in circumferences. According to the legend, in the Southern Dynasty a black dragon was seen in the lake. Chinese Daoists believed that the black dragon was a water god appeared appearing as the uniform of a turtle and snake, called Xuanwu. Hence the lake was called Xuwu lLake.

Other 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 lots 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 much more beautiful with its water and colorful mountains.

The lake itself is surrounded by mountains on three sides and water on one side. In the middle of the lake there are five islands, each of them stands for one great continent in the world and is connected with by bridges and dams. In addition, each island has its own name and distinctive characteristic. While Huan Island is famous for its willow trees in the mist, Ying Island is popular for its vast varieties variety of flowers known as the "Sea of Flowers"; While Ling Island is sought after for its rolling hills in the fog, Liang and Cui islands Islands are respectively famous for autumn chrysanthemums and cloud trees.