Yuantouzhu, this name seems unfamiliar, but for people in the Jiangnan area, this place is very famous. So, what is the origin of the name Yuantouzhu? Why is it called Yuantouzhu? Let’s reveal the answer to this mystery for everyone.

1. The geographical location of Yuantouzhu

First of all, let’s first understand the geographical location of Yuantouzhu. Yuantouzhu is located in the southwest of Xihu District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province. It is one of the ten scenic spots in West Lake. Yuantouzhu is about 400 meters long from north to south and 200 meters wide from east to west, with a total area of ​​66,000 square meters. It is an island connected to Nanpingshan Island, Santan Yinyue Island, Huagang Guanyu Island, Su Causeway, Bai Causeway and other scenic spots.

2. The history of Yuantouzhu

The history of Yuantouzhu can be traced back to the Southern Song Dynasty. At that time, Yuantouzhu did not have this name, it was just an ordinary island. According to records in "Xihu Zhi", during the Southern Song Dynasty, there was a temple on the island called "Tianhou Temple", which was dedicated to Mazu. This temple is also the only building on the island.

In the Ming Dynasty, Yuantouzhu began to undergo some changes. In the early Ming Dynasty, an ancient pavilion named "Yuantou Pavilion" was built on the island. This pavilion was built in memory of Zheng He, the founding hero of the Ming Dynasty. Zheng He was a famous navigator and explorer in the Ming Dynasty. He once led a fleet across the oceans to India, Africa and other places.

3. The origin of the name Yuantouzhu

So, when did the name Yuantouzhu appear? It is said that this name appeared during the Qing Dynasty. At that time, a man named Chen Ruilin was fishing near Yuantouzhu. He found that there were a lot of tortoises and tortoises here, and they were all very big, and some were even bigger than people. The heads of these tortoises and tortoises are very similar to turtles, but they are not exactly the same. Chen Ruilin thought these tortoises and tortoises were magical, so he began to study their habits and living habits.

Later, Chen Ruilin discovered that these tortoises and tortoises were all members of the turtle family, and their heads all had a characteristic, which was that they were relatively flat and looked like turtles. So, he called this place "Yuantouzhu".

4. Characteristics of Yuantouzhu

Yuantouzhu not only has a unique name, but also has many unique landscapes and characteristics. First of all, there is an ancient building on the island, which is Yuan Tou Pavilion. This pavilion was built in memory of Zheng He during the Ming Dynasty and has a history of more than 600 years. From Yuantou Pavilion, you can overlook the entire West Lake and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Secondly, there is an ancient temple in Yuantouzhu, which is the Tianhou Temple. This temple was built during the Southern Song Dynasty to worship Mazu. The architectural style of the temple is very ancient and has strong southern characteristics.

Finally, Yuantouzhu also has some unique plants and animals. There are many plum trees and pine trees on the island, and these trees are very old. In addition, there are some turtles and fish on the island, which are endemic to West Lake..

5. Yuantouzhu travel guide

If you want to go to Yuantouzhu, here are some travel guides:

1. The opening time of Yuantouzhu is 6 in the morning to 6pm, it is recommended to go in the morning to avoid the heavy flow of people.

2. There are no restaurants or shops on the island, so it is recommended to bring your own food and drinks.

3. There are many slopes and steps on the island, so it is important to wear comfortable shoes.

4. There are many attractions on the island, so it is recommended to plan your itinerary in advance to avoid wasting time.

5. There are some turtles and fish on the island. Do not feed them to avoid affecting their ecological environment.

6. Summary

Yuantouzhu is a very famous scenic spot in West Lake, and the origin of its name is also very interesting. If you want to visit Yuantouzhu, be sure to plan your itinerary in advance, wear comfortable shoes, and bring your own food and drinks. While playing, be careful to protect the environment, don't litter, and don't feed animals. I hope everyone can have a pleasant time in Yuantouzhu.