Scientists Discover China’s Atlantis, Perfectly Preserved at the Bottom of the Lake

A manmade submerged city called Shi Cheng was discovered and remained in great shape. This underwater city, known as the 'Atlantis of the East,' was found 40 meters below the surface of Qiandao Lake in eastern China. The site was rediscovered in 2001 and was opened as a diving site for tourists in 2017.

The city's origin dates back to between 25 AD and 200 AD, during the Eastern Han Dynasty. It was once considered a crucial political and economic center in Zhejiang province and had five entrance gates. The streets featured 265 archways adorned with carvings of dragons, phoenixes, and lions, as reported by Mirror.co.uk . However, in 1959, the Chinese government decided to construct a hydroelectric power plant and flooded the city to create Qiandao Lake. This decision resulted in the relocation of over 300,000 people.

After the city was submerged, former residents became emotional when underwater photos were published by Chinese National Geography. Because the city was not exposed to much light or oxygen, it remained well-preserved, with little damage. Knewz.com noted that the city wasn't very large, covering only about half a square kilometer (0.2 square miles).

The government's decision to create a dam was seen as more beneficial to the people. It was believed that preserving an old city just to remember emperors was not as useful. Another factor was the influence of the Communist Party, led by Mao Zedong. He wanted to ensure people had enough food, and the dam was intended to provide water for people and farms in the area. This would also help secure his position of power.

Qiandao Lake was considered one of the largest man-made lakes, covering 221 square miles, and was home to various water and marine life, according to IIFL Science . The area was flooded slowly, and as the water level rose, the mountains around the city began to shrink. This created over a thousand small islands that could still be seen above the water today, giving the lake its nickname, "The Chinese Atlantis."

Researchers pointed out many similarities between Shi Cheng and Atlantis, but the difference was that tourists could visit Shi Cheng. According to government rules, only companies with trained divers were allowed to lead tours to Shi Cheng. Since the bottom of the lake had dark waters, even experienced divers could face dangerous situations.

However, visiting Thousand Island Lake was highly recommended by Chinese tour companies. Once visitors arrive in China, they can reach the site by taking regular buses from Anhui, Huangshan, and Hangzhou. Tourists were advised to visit during the fall when the weather was mild and more predictable, reducing the risk of accidents. Visitors were also advised to refrain from bringing their diving gear, as it was not allowed and there were no tourist facilities at the site for divers. Therefore, exploring the underwater city through authorized companies was the safest and most beneficial option.