Located at the junction of the bank of Chenjiang River, Chenzhou Road and Xiangxue Road, Ailian (loving lotus) Lake was named after "An Essay on Lotus" written by Zhou Dunyi (1017-1073), a Neo-Confucianism scholar of Song Dynasty.

Ailian Lake and Lianxi Academy, two major scenic spots of the Xiangnan Garden, constitute the Ailian Lake Scenic Areas.

Themed with "An Essay on Lotus", the lake was built in conformity to the style of ancient residences in south Hunan. The exquisite wooden carving and stone carving also intensify its antiquity.