Geographical Location

Fuxian Lake (Chinese: 抚仙湖; pinyin: Fǔxiān Hú) stretches out through Chengjiang, Jiangchuan and Huaning Counties inYunnan Province, about 60 kilometers to Kunming City, Fuxian Lake stretches out through Chengjiang County, Jiangchuan County and Huaning County in Yunnan Province, about 60 kilometers to Kunming City, spanning an area of 212 square kilometers. The lake is ranked third largest in Yunnan, right after the Dianchi Lake and the Erhai Lake. Also the deepest lake in Yunnan, it is 155 meters deep at its greatest depth. It is also the second deepest fresh water lake in China after Tianchi Lake, a volcanic body of water in Changbai Mountain in Northeast China. Water storage at Fuxian Lake is four times greater than the total storage of Dianchi and Erhai lakes.

Brief Introduction

Located in greater Yuxi about 65 kilometers southeast of Kunming, Fuxian Lake (抚仙湖) makes for a refreshing couple of days out of the city. The long narrow lake runs north-south, with the sleepy county seat of Chengjiang (澄江) sitting at the lake's north end .A fungus Dyrithiopsislakefuxianensis growing on submerged wood has been collected and described as a new species to science from Fuxian Lake, as suggested by its scientific name.The prehistoric Fuxianhuia, significant in discussions of arthropod evolution, is also named after the lake, where it was discovered in 1987.

Major Sites

There are two major sites west of the lake: a military base at Lijiashan (speculated to be used for submarine testing and other forms of nautical engineering) and a nearby tourism resort.. There is very little human activity on Fuxian, at least by China standards. But there are a few heavily developed tourist areas on the fully-paved road around the lake. Among them are resort-style developments in Chengjiang and along the lake's west side at Luchong (禄充) and Sunshine Coast (阳光海岸).Plenty of sand has been brought in to make artificial beaches in these areas and elsewhere around the lake. Although swimming and lounging on the beach may be nice, it is hard not to wonder what impact the imported sand may be having on the lake.

Surrounding attractions

The two most popular towns around the lake are Luchong (禄充) and the Sunshine Coast (阳光海岸). Both have been extensively developed into Chinese-style resorts, and have the typical trappings – KTVs and bustling restaurants full of tour groups. However, the Sunshine Coast still beguiles with its stretch of sandy beach. The imported sand may not belong at Fuxian, but swimming in the clear, calm lake water is still a rare pleasure in Yunnan.

For visitors seeking peace and quiet, Gushan island, off the Sunshine Coast, makes for a perfect retreat. Gushan is reached from the beach, either by hiring a paddle ferry or renting a kayak or pedal boat. Visitors must pay 20 RMB to enter the island, but can spend the day wandering the forested paths or swimming off the rocks. Unlike the busy Sunshine Coast, the island's sounds are not man-made, making it a rare retreat from the noise of modern China – and earning it the nickname ‘Solitude Hill.' At the top of the island, a temple overlooks Fuxian's shimmering blue waters; gingkos and pines shade the walkways, but there are clear views toward the shoreline and the distant mountains beyond.

For visitors who wish to stay on Gushan, the Ancient Dian Kingdom Culture Garden is the only lodging option. Although the rooms are relatively spartan and a bit rustic, the hotel has a restaurant and a distinctly relaxing lack of visitors. The echoes of the Sunshine Coast KTV seem to rarely reach the island, which instead has a soundtrack of lapping waves and birdcalls.

Trip Highlights 

Fuxian Lake stretches out through Chengjiang County, Jiangchuan County and Huaning County in Yunnan Province, about 60 kilometers to Kunming City, spanning an area of 212 square kilometers. The lake is ranked third largest in Yunnan, right after the Dianchi Lake and the Erhai Lake. Also the deepest lake in Yunnan, it is 155 meters deep at its greatest depth. It is also the second deepest fresh water lake in China after Tianchi Lake, a volcanic body of water in Changbai Mountain in Northeast China. Water storage at Fuxian Lake is four times greater than the total storage of Dianchi and Erhai lakes.

Natural environment

The Fuxian Lake is a freshwater lake. The water of the lake is bluish green, and is rich in phosphor. The transparent depth is usually 4 to five meters, sometimes reaches 7 to 8 meters. Therefore, the water in Fuxian Lake is clear and transparent.

The natural environment around the lake has never experience great destroy. So until now, Fuxian Lake is still a lake that has never been contaminated in Yunan Province. It is not exaggerated to compare it to “boundless expansion of colored glazes” by the poets. The lake is a glittering and translucent bright pearl on the Yun-Gui Plateau. When the waves roll, the white spoondrifts look like successively blooming lotuses. And they also look like clusters of rolling silver chains. When there are no waves, the lake looks clear and green, like a bright mirror. The mountains at distance and waters nearby, together with the integrated continent and island make people feel completely relaxed, joyful and comfortable.