Lake Taihu (太湖) is a lake in the Yangtze Delta and the third largest freshwater lake in China. The lake is in Jiangsu province. With an area of 2250 square kilometers and an average depth of 2 meters it is the third-largest freshwater lake entirely in China. The lake contains about 90 islands, ranging in size from a few square meters to several square kilometers. Lake Taihu is linked to the Grand Canal and is the origin of a number of rivers, including the Suzhou Creek. The major cities around Lake Taihu include Suzhou, Wuxi, Changzhou and Huzhou. These urban areas form the core of the lake’s cultural and economic region.

Below is a selection of photos taken during a Boat tour over Lake Taihu and the Grand Canal near Suzhou on June 5, 2010. Click on a small photo for a larger view, then select the next one with the cursor keys or the arrows on either side of the photo.