A lake carved by volcanic gushes

A walk on the tranquil side

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A ramble around the 7-km lake not only offers views of nature at its most profound, but also humanity at its most tranquil. There are statues and sculptures galore that add a light touch to the masterful wonders of nature.

There is a monastery that is 1,000 years old, the one that serves as the locale for the turtle legend. On the other side sits a nunnery. But you don't have to be Zen to love this park. There are places where you can barbecue or look out to the sea. Local customs are showcased in a garden and even local residential architecture of the area is recreated to add a feel of authenticity.

Above all, Huguangyan is a subtropical paradise worthy of its name: hu is lake, guang light and yan rock. It goes back almost 1,000 years when Li Gang, a Song Dynasty (960-1279) prime minister, exiled to this remote land, befriended by the abbot of the temple, inscribed the three Chinese characters onto a stonewall.

We have not touched on the "light" part of the tour. For a photographer, the possibilities are simply endless.

Contact the writers at raymondzhou@chinadaily.com.cn and liwenfang@chinadaily.com.cn.