Mochou Lake Park (莫愁湖) is a well-tended lakeside park in the western part of the old city, named after a legendary girl from the Tang dynasty. The park combines the landscaped lake with historical structures — the Chess Tower (Liuxiang Pavilion), built in the Ming dynasty, the Moon-Embracing Tower, and a collection of stone steles and pavilions.
The name "Mochou" means "no sorrow" — the girl in the legend was said to be so happy that she drove away all sorrow. The park has the relaxed, locally used character of a neighbourhood green space, popular with older residents for morning walks and weekend family outings. Paddleboats and rowboats are available for hire. It makes a pleasant half-hour stop combined with the adjacent Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall.