Have you ever heard about Qiandao Lake Underwater City? Well, Lion City is an ancient submerged city located in Qiandao Lake, China. The city of Shi Cheng, also known as Lion City, was built in 621 AD during the Tang Dynasty and is believed to be almost 1,400 years old.
The city was built during the Eastern Han Dynasty and was once a political and economic hub in the region. Historical records suggest it was a considerable city, possibly spanning over 60 football fields with 265 arches across its expanse. What made Shi Cheng distinct was that it was constructed with five city gates and towers, a deviation from the customary four.
However, the city was intentionally flooded in 1959 as part of a hydroelectric power project, and it remained submerged for over 60 years. The reservoir was formed through the flooding of the valley nestled at the foot of the Wu Shi (Five Lion) mountain as part of the Xin’anjiang Reservoir and Xin’an River hydroelectric project. Qiandao Lake, also known as Thousand Island Lake, is actually an extensive freshwater body spanning 573 square kilometers.
A huge government initiative led to the displacement of 290,000 individuals, along with the flooding of over 1,300 villages and tens of thousands of acres of agricultural land. Two ancient cities nestled in the valley at the base of Wu Shi Mountain were also inundated and submerged into the lake. Early divers discovered that Shi Cheng remained mostly intact, with numerous structures, carvings, guardian lions, and arches still remarkably preserved. Divers and researchers have since attempted to map and document the city, as well as explore measures to ensure its conservation.
In 2001, the Chinese government decided to open up the lake for diving and tourism, which led to the discovery of the ancient city. In January 2011, the cities were declared historical relics and received protection under Zhejiang Province. Today, Lion City has become a popular destination for divers and tourists alike who come to explore the well-preserved ruins of the city, including temples, archways, and lion statues.
Due to the depth of the lake, diving at Lion City requires advanced certification and experience. However, visitors can also take a boat tour to see the submerged city from the surface of the water. Lion City has become a fascinating archaeological site and a symbol of the rich history and culture of the region. The name originates from the presence of over a thousand scenic islands scattered throughout the lake. These days, Qiandao Lake has since become a much-loved attraction, famous for its scenic beauty and remarkable engineering history.
Dive operators offering trips to Qiandao Lake are few and far between. You may choose to dive with Big Blue Scuba, headquartered in Shanghai, as they conduct regular diving excursions to the lake. Shanghai provides several travel and lodging alternatives and has a wide selection of domestic and international flights that arrive at either Pudong International Airport (PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA).
The diving package for Qiandao Lake was offered as a weekend getaway, inclusive of transportation to and from Shanghai, dives, tanks, weights, food, and local accommodations. Nitrox and rental gear can be arranged upon request.
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