Juzizhou(literally: Tangerine Sandbank) is a relatively small "island" erected on River Xiang(湘江) which flows through Changsha and divides the city into two parts.  The tour guide told us that the sandbank used to have inhibitants living in there, but due to the shrinkage of Dongting Lake(洞庭湖) and thus gradually lost its function of adjusting the flood from the rivers of its waters, Juzizhou then was redesigned as a recreation park, a park so long as 5 kilometers. 

The park is delicately designed.  Leisurely strolling down the wide pathways under leafy trees on either side of the bank, vistors can appreciate the various, grand edfices standing across the river and mountains(including that fomous 岳麓山) in faraway perimeter of the city.  There are also a subway station, a temple, and other facilities in the park.  Unfortunately we had only half an hour available sojourning on the "island".  Please google to find more information about Juzishou. 

En route to Feng Huang(鳳凰古城), the tour bus stopped at Liuyehu(Willow Lake) in Changde for a while.  The lake, four times as large as West Lake, is reputedly the biggest city lake of China.  Again, we were allowed for a sojourn of only half an hour to browse its beautiful, multi-dimensional scenery.  But how could we do it within that short of time?  Luckily, the tour guide picked a portion of pathway for us to take a walk along the lake.  Some people might think it was boring, but to me it was a wonderful experence.  Why?  Because, you know, in every 50 meters down the pathway there is a stela with carved inscription by excellent calligraphies on those renowned Chinese ancient poems mostly of Tang and Song, you just name it. 

The perfect combination of nature and human contrivance of 橘子洲 and 柳葉湖 could testify how Chinese people strive for making Mainland a much better place to live in.