Liuye Lake is located in Changde City, northwest  of Hunan Province. Covering 21.8 square kilometers, Liuye Lake, named after its shape that resembles a willow leaf, is the largest lake within a city's downtown area in China. 

---

Features of Liuye Lake
Liuye Lake is one of the top attractions in Changde City. Nestled among the mountains, the lake glitters like a giant diamond when the sun shines. Islets on the lake are covered with luxuriant plants. Seen from afar, they look like emeralds embedded on a giant hairpin some goddess might have dropped.The surrounding mountains add to the charm of the lake.
To its north is Baihe Mountain, a long-time habitat of white cranes. To the southwest of the Liuye Lake stands Huashan Mountain. Literally meaning a mountain of flowers, it is covered with a sea of wildflowers in a large range of bright colors.
Water Park  The lake is also an excellent place for water sports. Since 1995, it has hosted a number of international events, including the Asian canoeing championships, Sino-US water-skiing competition and the Dongting Lake dragon boat competition. 
From May to September each year, thousands of cranes and egrets feed, nest, mate and raise their young around the lake, making it a world of birds.