Lake Shuangli is located between Nanshan and Beishan of Guningtou village at Jinling town. The lake was connected with Lake Cih before a road was built in between, making Lake Shuangli an inland lake. Thus the original ecology around the lake has also changed and become what it is now. Nowadays, the lake contains many sorts of fishes and waterweeds;(1) therefore, birds like to come here for food. The beautiful migratory birds here attract bird watchers who like to frequent(2) this place. And if they are lucky enough, as they walk on the path around the lake, they are likely to see some legally protected otters as well.
雙鯉湖位於金寧鄉古寧頭南山村與北山村之間，早期與慈湖相連並且相通，後來外海築堤為路，湖變為內湖，原來的生態環境也改變了，形成了現在的景色。現今的雙鯉湖湖內有許多魚和水草，因此，聚集了許多鳥兒在這裡棲息。雙鯉湖附近有許多美麗的候鳥，可以吸引賞鳥人士駐足，沿著湖周圍的賞鳥步道行進，有時候甚至可以看到保育類的水獺在此出沒。

On the bank of Lake Shuangli stands a nature center designed by Kinmen National Park. Inside the Center there are displays of Kinmen's birds, plants, natural ecology, geological features, historic relics, etc. Films recording these features are also presented. The most marvelous feature is in the basement where plants and living creatures in the water can been seen clearly through transparent windowpanes. It's great fun.
金門國家公園在雙鯉湖畔設置自然中心一座，館內介紹金門當地的鳥類、植物、自然生態、地表景觀以及人文古蹟，並提供相關影片供遊客欣賞。最精彩的部分是在地下一樓，進入裡面可以透過玻璃窗，清楚看見水生植物的樣子和水中生物活動的情形，十分有趣。

Facing each other across the lake, Nanshan and Beishan villages are named together as the "Twin Carps Feng-shui" and are considered to be among the earliest traditional villages in Kinmen. At Nanshan village there is a "Sanyian Well," where the residents pass their leisure time. On the other side of the lake, Beishan village has a statue of the Wind Lion God that faces toward the south and is made of granite.
古寧頭南山村與北山村隔雙鯉湖相對，共稱「雙鯉風水」，是金門發跡最早的傳統聚落之一。南山聚落中有一處三眼井，是現今居民生活的場所；而雙鯉湖畔靠北山聚落這一邊，有一尊座北朝南花崗石雕的風獅爺。

Tourist: Why is the lake called "Shuangli"?
遊客：為什麼叫『雙鯉湖』呢？

Tour Guide: Because the lake looks like twin carps. And we call it "Shuangli", meaning twin carps in English.
導遊：因為湖的形狀像似鯉魚因而得其名。

Tourist: Except for its shape, does it have other connotations?(3)
遊客：「雙鯉」除了形狀之外，還有沒有其他的涵義呢？
Tour Guide: Yes. The two villages on each side of the lake are Nanshan and Beishan. "Shuangli," which means two carps, also refers to the two villages as a figure of speech.(4) The two villages face each other across the lake and are also among the earliest traditional villages in Kinmen. Generally, Guningtou village is a combination of the two villages and Linciu village. The residents of Guningtou village are mainly from the Lee family, thus the village is also called "The Lee's Village".
導遊：是的，「雙鯉」還意指著古寧頭南山和北山二個村莊。這二個村隔著雙鯉湖相望，是金門有名的傳統聚落之一，和林厝村合稱為古寧頭。古寧頭區域內的居民以李氏宗族為主，因此又稱為「李家莊」。

Tourist: Any other legends?
遊客：有什麼傳說嗎？

Tour Guide: Yes. It's said that Nanshan and Beishan villages also represent two carps, and the Guan Monarch's Temple on the lakeside facing toward the lake resembles a brilliant pearl. The Temple is also called "Twin Carps Old Landing". And, according to the records, all the pilgrims(5) coming from afar to pray in the Temple could take bamboo rafts directly to the entrance with the rising tide. But the waterway has been blocked by sand, and this scene from the past is now gone.
導遊：有的。傳說南山村與北山村各像一條鯉魚，而朝向湖畔的關帝廟像是一顆靈珠，因此，這個廟也稱為『雙鯉古地』。而且根據記載，很早以前來關帝廟拜拜的善男信女，在漲潮時可搭竹筏至廟口下船。不過，現今水道已淤積，不再具有往日的景觀。

Tourist: We just saw a little construction near the temple. What's that?
遊客：剛才看到廟旁邊好像有一個小小的建築物，那是什麼？（二十）

■1. waterweed-(n)水草。
■2. frequent-(vt.)時常出入於～，常到～；通常這個字比較常以形容詞形式出現，此處則為動詞。
■3. connotation-(n)意涵，言外之意。
■4. figure of speech-比喻的說法。
■5. pilgrim-(n)朝聖者，香客。

資料來源：金門縣政府
原書作者：陳建民、漢貴恩