The lesser-known attraction Yuanxiang Lake, where the lotus pond is in full bloom with vibrant flowers and green willows

Yuanxiang Lake was completed and opened to the public in 2011. Its name comes from Zhou Dunyi's 'Ode to the Lotus' from the Song Dynasty. It is the largest artificial lake in the western part of Shanghai, shaped like the Chinese character '海' (sea), and together with the '上' (Shanghai) character of the Shanghai International Circuit, it forms the characters '上海' (Shanghai) when viewed from above. Although the peak blooming season for the lotus has passed, catching the last glimpse of such beautiful lotus flowers is still very worthwhile. The lotus pond is located on one side of the Jiangnan Bookstore. Important information: Free entry, open 24 hours, self-driving is recommended. There is a parking lot at the entrance of Jiangnan Bookstore, with free parking for up to 1 hour. Photos taken on August 25, original images straight out of the camera.