Liuye Lake (Willow Leaf Lake) is a reservoir on the eastern edge of Changde, sometimes compared to West Lake in Hangzhou for its willow-lined banks and calm water — a comparison that flatters it, but the setting is genuinely pleasant. Boat trips across the lake operate from several landing points; cycling paths circle the shoreline. The park is primarily used by residents for morning exercise and weekend recreation, which gives it an authentic local character that larger tourist sites lack.
In the evenings the lakeside promenade fills with stalls and food vendors. Liuye Lake Park is free to enter; boat rides cost around ¥30–50. It is most pleasant in spring and early autumn, when the willows are in full leaf and the temperatures are comfortable. The lake is on the eastern side of the city, about 20 minutes by bus from the Poem Wall.