East Lake, located on south bank of the Yangtze River and the east of Wuchang, is one of the major tourist attractions in Wuhan. It is the biggest lake within a city in China.

The lake covers an area of 330, 000 square meters, which is 5 times than the area of the West Lake in Hangzhou. Characterized by its clear water, abundant plants, strong customs of Chu and unique gardens, the lake, with over 120 bends in the branch streams and 111.5 kilometers shoreline, was famed as "a lake with 99 curves".

This charming spot is in the Wuchang district of the city. It has a vast expanse of water (thirty- three square kilometers), with winding banks and willow trees. The surrounding area is divided naturally into several scenic areas among which Millstone Hill (Moshan) is the most attractive with flowers blooming all the year round-orchids in spring, lotus in summer, osmanthus in autumn, and plum blossoms in winter. The many beautiful buildings at the edge of the lake include Land of Water and Cloud (Shuiyunxiang) which serves as a teahouse, Listening to the Waves Tower (Tingtaoxuan), where the visitor can get a panoramic view of the lake, Poetry-Reciting Pavilion (Xingyinge), Lakeside Art Gallery (Binhuhualang), the Memorial Hall of Qu Yuan (340-278 B.C.), infinite Sky Tower (Changtianlou) which can accommodate a thousand visitors for tea, and Lu Xun Square. The park is dotted with lotus and fish ponds, as well as fruit trees (pear and orange) and luxuriant bamboo groves. The nineteen- meter-high Lake View Pavilion (Huguangge) stands on an island in the lake and is a fine vantage point from where to view the entire area. Gulls and swan geese which gather at East Lak ein winter are another attraction to visitors here.

Due to abundant rainfall and sunshine as well as a humid climate, East Lake has rich botanical resources. There are 372 kinds of trees and over 390 varieties of flowers, of which plum blossom and lotus are most famous. Based on this, China's Plum Research Center and Lotus Research Center are set here.

Six scenic areas were established on the lake area, namely Tingtao (Listening to Surging Waves), Moshan (millstone-shaped Hill), Luoyan (Diving Wild Goose), Baima (White Horse), Chuidi (Playing the Flute), and Luohong Hills, adding additional beauty to the lake.