Dianchi
Lake, which formed based
upon a fault crossing
the central Yunnan
Plateau, is located at
the foot of the Western
Hills, southwest of
Kunming. Occupying an
area of 300 sqkm, the
lake, 150km in
circumference and 40km
from north to south, is
the sixth largest fresh
water lake in China.
Being a highland lake
with an elevation of
1885 meters, the lake is
also reputed as a "Pearl
on the Yunnan-Guizhou
Plateau."
The lake, capable of
tossing up violent
storms, is especially
beautiful when the dawn
or dusk comes. People
describe the lake’s
moods as "virility
seasoned with
tenderness." High
rectangular sails ribbed
with bamboo battens
float on the water and
gently sway in the
breeze. The shoreline of
Dianchi Lake is dotted
with small fishing
hamlets surrounded by
fertile fields.
Since the ancient times,
Dianchi Lake has been a
touring spot. Sailing on
the lake, visitors can
fully enjoy the beauty
of the highland lake. In
recent years, the water
in Dianchi Lake has been
severely polluted and
the lake now is groaning
for effective ecological
and legal protection.
Since the 1990s, the
government has dealt
with the pollution of
the lake and people hope
that in the near future,
a clean Dianchi Lake
would appear again. |