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Oranges and lilacs
the old canalAn Aging Head
Named after its shape (on the map it looks like a turtle's head), Turtle Head Isle is probably the most popular place to take in the sights of Tai Lake, the biggest lake in this part of China.
I've been here at least 3 times IIRC, once in winter (January 2005) and twice in spring (March 2005, and March 2009). I'd say not to bother coming in winter unless you have some masochistic interest in experiencing biting cold wind!
In spring the place is livened up by the addition of colourful blooming flowers. If you visit at the right time (in 2009 we visited at the end of March) you can catch some beautiful sakura. However if you're coming in sakura season I would strongly recommend visiting on a weekday, otherwise you'll see more human heads than flowers.
Sanshan island, reachable by ferry (round-trip included in the price of the admission ticket) has some tacky "attractions" such as a copycat Longmen Grottoes, a big Lao Tzu (founder of Taoism) statue, a temple with a terribly tall Jade Emperor of Heaven, etc.
Admission price has now increased to 105 RMB, with the student price remaining unchanged at 50 RMB -- however note that graduate students are NOT eligible for student price. Price includes the round-trip ferry ride to Sanshan (Three Hills), and the tour bus inside the park that saves you some walking.
