Yongji Wuxing Lake | Where the Five Surnames Once Were

|Where the Five Surnames Once Were. Wuxing Lake is one of the birthplaces of ancient culture. It is named after the five major surnames of the descendants of Emperor Shun—Yu, Yao, Chen, Hu, and Tian—who lived by the lake. It is the largest freshwater lake in Shanxi Province and an important wetland protection area in the province. According to records, people lived around Wuxing Lake during the Ming Dynasty, and villas and long dikes were built. There were fish in the water, and it was like the Jiangnan region in the north. Wuxing Fish was one of the eight scenic spots of the Yuan Dynasty. An old record from the Ming Dynasty states: "There were many towers by the lake, and people lived in a circle. Every summer, the lotus flowers bloomed, and the waves were like clouds, mixed with green duckweed and red smartweed. Fishermen and waterfowl were like a painting, and the wind blew them together, making it a beautiful sight." Yes, you read that right. There is also a huge stone sculpture of young Mao Zedong here. On both sides of the statue, two stone tablets are erected, with inscriptions in imitation of Mao's calligraphy from his youth. Natural scenery, ancient rivers and mountains, a great man, an idol of millions, and now a great place to relax and take a walk. Opening hours: All day Tickets: Free