As the largest freshwater lake on the Hebei plain, the Baiyangdian is located about 150 kilometers to Beijing, Tianjin and Shijiazhuang, respectively.      

The Baiyangdian is divided into 146 shallow lakes by 36 villages and 12,000-mu (15 mu = 1 hectare) reed marshes. These lakes, with the largest one measuring over 20,000 mu and smallest one 180 mu, are linked together by more than 3,700 ditches and river courses.   

The Baiyangdian has several distinctive attractions. One can take a wooden boat or an autoboat and tour along the river through tussock of reeds. The blue water, white reed catkins, together with groups of geese and ducks, present a beautiful landscape of watery region. Besides river tour, one can also taste delicious fish and shrimp. Moreover, viewing how fishermen net fish is another special attraction. Tourists may also jump into the shallow lake and work with them to experience their life, or fish with a fishing rod while boating.     

A number of places of interest are situated near the Baiyangdian. Through years, many emperors came here to spend the summer and left many imperial palaces and numerous legends. Among the legends, one tells about the origin of Laowangdian (save king shallow lake). It is said that Emperor Qianlong fell into the lake when he visited the place and then was saved by a fisherman. Some other constructions are built on the Bayangdian, including Shuiboliangshan Palace, Imperial Palace, a grand natatorium, a water-sports park, and also an area for viewing wild animals.