The effects of thermal stratification on the flow of a stratified fluid past a circular cylinder were examined in a wind tunnel. In order to produce strong thermal stratifications, a compact heat exchanger type variable electric heater is employed. Linear temperature gradient of up to $250^{circ}C/m$ can be well sustained. The velocity and temperature profiles in the cylinder wake with a strong thermal gradient of $200^{circ}C/m$ were measured and the smoke wire flow visualization method was used to investigate the wake characteristics. It is found that the temperature field effects as an active contaminant, so that the mean velocity and temperature profiles can not sustain their symmetricity about the wake centerline when such a strong thermal gradient is superimposed. It is evident that the turbulent mixing in the upper half section is stronger than that of the lower half of the wake in a stably stratified flow.