Fuxianhu Lake

Fuxianhu Lake lies between Chengjiang, Jiangchuan and Ituaning Counties, about 5 kilometres away from the town of Chengjiang County in the south of it As a legend goes, in ancient times two fairies stood on a boat enjoying the scenery on the lake arm in arm, while the turbulent water tossed their boat. "Fuxian" in Chinese means fairies standing arm in arm. The lake has an area of 212 square kilometres, with 60% of it (127 square kilometres) belonging to Chengjiang County. The average depth of the lake is 87 metres, the greatest depth being 155 metres. It is the deepest lake in Yunnan and the second deepest in China. Its area is next to Dianchi Lake and Erhai Lake. But its storage capacity is 12 and 6 times greater than theirs respectively.

There are many scenic spots around Fuxianhu Lake. In the west, Yusunshan (1ade Bamboo Shoots) Mountain rises high. On the highest peak, there is a rock looking like a huge plate which, according to legend, is always wet. In the east, there are many hot springs with very large flow capacities. The hot water contains sulphur and its temperature is about 40 C. In the northeast, Xiangbiling (Elephant's Trunk) Mountain stands by the lake like an elephant sucking water from the lake with its trunk. In the south, there is a river about 1 kilometre long which links Fuxianhu Lake with Xingyunhu Lake of the neighbouringjiangchuan County. Three big Chinese characters carved on a rock overlooking the river, which, as a legend goes, were written by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty, mean the Rock Marking the Boundary for Fish. The Ran gland (anti-current) fish in Fuxianhu Lake and the big-head fish in Xingyunhu Lake swim to the rock and return. They never cross the border.

As to the sources of water, apart from raindrops, Xingynnhu Lake flows into it from the south. The Liangwanghe River flows into it from the north. Many streams on both the east and west all flow into it. The water, containing much phosphorus, assumes a bluish green with a diaphaniety of 7-8 metres. In the imagination of a poet, it resembles a water lily in full bloom. When the waves rise, we see a silvery chain vibrating 6n the horizon. When the water is calm, the lake is like a clear mirror.