Plan at a glance
What the park is
Zhenlai Ring-City National Wetland Park is also known as Nanhu (South Lake). Official tourism information describes Xinghua Island, Swan Island and Fu Culture Plaza among its lakeside features, along with water, observation platforms, reeds, cattails and paths. The wetland landscape sits within the county's everyday urban space, making this an easy place for a walk, lakeside views and a slower-paced stop.
How much time to allow
Allow about 30–45 minutes for a short visit: walk along part of the lake, look out over the islands and water, then return the way you came. If the full lakeside path and its facilities are open, allow about 1–1.5 hours. These are estimates; current official information does not confirm the full loop distance, path condition or areas open to visitors.
How to fit it into your trip
Nanhu works well as a relaxed outdoor stop in Zhenlai County seat. Its appeal is the shore, islands, wetland plants and seasonal scenery. If you want to explore a large protected area for birdwatching, plan a separate visit to Momoge; Nanhu is not an entrance to the reserve or a substitute route.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
Choose your visit
Walking and photos
For an easy walk, choose a lakeside path and viewpoints that are open that day. Look for reeds, cattails and changing light on the water. Swan Island (天鹅岛) is one of the park's named scenic spots, but this does not mean visitors can access the island or that swans will be present. View it from a publicly accessible section of the lakeshore.
A short walk or a longer lakeside route
If time is limited, walk along one section of the shore and turn back. With an hour or more, decide whether to continue based on signs for the paths open that day. Official information names several islands and viewpoints but does not provide a current loop map or distances for each section; there is no need to complete the entire loop.
Build your day
Start at an open entrance
On arrival, check the entrance sign and notices for the day's access, then enter through a public entrance that is actually open. For a short visit, follow the lake shore at an easy pace and stop at viewpoints where visitors are allowed. If you reach a closed section, turn back as directed or continue only along a clearly open stretch of shore.
Extend the lakeside walk
If the lakeside path is open continuously, keep walking along the shore and view Xinghua Island, Swan Island and the lake from permitted viewpoints. Fu Culture Plaza can be an optional stop if on-site signs direct visitors there. Whether islands can be visited and whether the path forms a complete loop depend on current signs. If no connecting route is clearly open, stay on the shore and return to your entrance along the same path. Allow about 1–1.5 hours for a longer lakeside walk.
Adjust for the season
Jilin's tourism information describes spring flowers, summer shade, autumn leaves and evergreen scenery in winter. Flowering, leaf colour, ice and wildlife vary each year. Plan around the day's weather and conditions. Bring insect repellent in summer; in winter, walk carefully along the shore and follow ice and slip warnings.
Get there
Navigate to Nanhu
Search for “Zhenlai Ring-City National Wetland Park” or “Nanhu (南湖)” in your map app. Older information gives the address as 1752 Zhengyang South Street, Zhenlai County. Current official information confirms the park is in southern Zhenlai County but does not confirm that this street address matches the public entrance. Check the map pin and entrance marker before setting out, then use the entrance actually open on arrival.
Local and inter-attraction transport
From Zhenlai County seat, take a taxi or ride-hailing car to the Nanhu area and walk in from the marked entrance. Current reliable bus routes and parking locations have not been confirmed, so check a live map. A 2025 Jilin tourism route estimated about 40 minutes by car between Momoge and Nanhu. They are separate destinations; use live navigation for the actual drive time.
Know before you go
Opening, tickets and facilities
Current daily hours, admission fees and reservation rules have not been confirmed. Do not assume the park is open all day, free to enter or does not require a reservation. Older information mentions a lookout tower, a spray fountain and a heart-shaped tunnel, but current operating details are unconfirmed; they are not included as must-see stops. Follow entrance notices and on-site path signs to determine where visitors may go.
Birdwatching and the environment
Swan Island is a name for one of the park's scenic spots, not a guarantee of swan sightings. The species and number of wild birds vary with migration season, weather and water conditions. Watch from designated paths, follow signs, do not feed or chase birds, and stay out of reed beds and wetland habitat for photos.
Before you go
If you are making a special trip for a particular facility or bird species, confirm current access and natural conditions first. For a general lakeside walk, check the weather and allow time to turn back along the same route.