Leisurely Stroll at the Three Lakes Park by Banqiaofang River

After enduring consecutive days of scorching heat indoors, I seized the opportunity on a breezy evening to take Metro Line 1 to Xingguo Road Station and explore the downstream lakes of Banqiaofang River—Shigou Lake, Wenchang Pavilion Lake, and Xiangmi Lake. The Banqiaofang River, a vital natural waterway in Licang District, Qingdao, originates from Laohu Mountain and meanders 4 kilometers westward through major roads before its confluence with Jiaozhou Bay. Just before meeting the sea, the land gently cradles its waters, creating three radiant gems: Shigou Lake, Wenchang Lake, and Xiangmi Lake. Each with distinct charm, these lakes compose a serene symphony of urban-river harmony. 1. Shigou Lake Here, the river slows to form a jade-like depression. True to its rustic name, Shigou Lake features irregular shores adorned with white stone bridges, rock formations, and milling stones. Pink lotuses mingle with duckweeds and reeds as birds forage in its crystal-clear waters. Sunset ripples dance across the surface where wild fish dart through aquatic plants, while children fish along its 400-meter perimeter. Like unpolished jade, Shigou Lake radiates unpretentious beauty—neither gaudy nor somber, but profoundly authentic. 2. Wenchang Pavilion Lake A kilometer south lies Wenchang Lake, named after a 19th-century village renowned for scholars like Wang Yi (tutor to Emperor Yongzheng). Exuding scholarly elegance, its willow-fringed shores feature pavilions, stone bridges, and winding boardwalks. The lake mirrors the sky like a colossal jade crescent, its tranquil surface reflecting high-rises amidst lotus clusters that seem to whisper tranquil poetry—an urban oasis for contemplation. 3. Xiangmi Lake Northwest another kilometer, Xiangmi Lake dazzles at dusk. Amber sunset glows melt into sapphire waters as the lake transforms into a breathtaking vision. Along fragrant, tree-dotted banks, a woman in black and red sways to Russian folk melodies. Here, light and shadow waltz with floral scents, making Xiangmi Lake the river's sweetest urban sonnet. Shigou's simplicity, Wenchang's serenity, and Xiangmi's fragrance—three beauties with unique allure. They elevate the underground river into public view, regulating flow, nurturing ecosystems, and offering residents aquatic recreation. This stretch represents the Banqiaofang River's most abundant and poetic chapter.