Yangcheng Lake (阳澄湖) is a freshwater lake about 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) northeast of the town of Suzhou in Jiangsu Province, China. It is the most famous area of origin for the Chinese mitten crabs which are a considered a delicacy.The best time of visiting the lake is Sep and Oct because the The Chinese mitten crabs migrate from Yangcheng Lake towards the Yangtze delta for mating in September and October.

Chinese Mitten Crab
Chinese mitten crab, also known as the big sluice crab (大闸蟹) and Shanghai hairy crab (上海毛蟹), is a medium-sized burrowing crab that is native in the coastal estuaries of eastern Asia from Korea in the north to the Fujian province of China in the south, but has been introduced to Europe and North America where considered an invasive species. The crab is a famous delicacy in Shanghai cuisine and is prized for the female crab roe. The crab meat is believed by the Chinese to have a "cooling" (Yin,阴) effect on the body.

The Chinese mitten crabs migrate from Yangcheng Lake towards the Yangtze delta for mating in September and October. The local fishermen harvest the animals during this migration. In 2002, the total production of Hairy Crabs in Yangcheng Lake was estimated to be about 1,500 tonnes.

In its history, the lake was involved in a story of the traditional Peking Opera, “Sha Jia Bang” (Sha Family’s Creek), where the creek is the birthplace of the legend. This legendary tale was formed in the 1970s. Due to the lack of entertainments in the period, the play became at the time very famous.The local fishermen harvest the animals during this migration. In 2002, the total production of Hairy Crabs in Yangcheng Lake was estimated to be about 1,500 tonnes.

Traffic
Bus 107 from Kunshan train stataion to Bacheng, or by taxi 35yuan 15mins
Yancheng lake fee and opening hours

Admission no information
Opening hours Mon-Fri: 8:00-23:00, Sat-Sun 9:00-22:00

Tips
1.Please pay attention to climb mountain or walking in resort.
2.Please pay attention to avoid thief.
3.Take care of your child.
4.You had better use sun lotion and sun glasses to avoid sun burn.
5.Please bring enough memory card of your camera.