Erhai Lake


Erhai Lake is situated at 1,972 m above sea level. Its area is 250 square kilometers, making it the
second largest highland lake of China, after Dianchi Lake. Situated in Dali city of western Yunnan
Province, Erhai Lake and Cangshan Mountain are gifted with green mountains, exquisite waters,
and myriad scenic spots, plus unique customs of the national minorities.

Erhai Lake is situated at 1,972 m above sea level. In size, the North-South length of the lake is 40
km and the East-West width is roughly 7-8 km. Its circumference reaches 116 km, its average
depth is of 11 m and the total storage capacity of 2.5 billion m³.

The lake is sandwiched between the Cangshan Mountains to the West and Dali City. It receiving
water from the Miju and Mici Rivers (in the North), the Bolou River (in the East) and smaller
streams from the Cangshan Mountains. Yangbi River is the lake's outlet in the South and eventually flows into the Lancang River.

Erhai Lake is peaceful and the landscape here is gorgeous, it lies on a fault line surrounded by hills and mountains. The water is so blue and still
that it is nicknamed the Plateau Pearl. With such a high transparence, Erhai Lake has been called the "flawless and beautiful jade lying among
mountains "from the ancient times. It is said that there grows a very big jade cabbage on the sea bed. The clear water is in fact the jade fluid
coming from the heart of the cabbage. It is rare to see fishing villages in the highlands, so many visitors are fascinated by the fishing village
belonging to the Bai nationality nearby. There are three islands in the lake - Jinsuo Island, Yinsuo Island and Small Putuo Island, watching Mt.
Cangshan from anyone of which is another highlight. Stand on Jinsuo Island and you will have a panoramic view of the rising sun, or snowcapped
mountains in the winter or a colorful evening sunset followed by the moon hanging over Erhai Lake at night.

Between Erhai Lake and Cangshan Mountain lies a fan- shaped flat alluvial basin. In the basin are fertile
farmlands and many villages, and stand the Three Towers of the Chongsheng Temple. The basin has
beautiful natural views, key points of interests and colourful folk-customs, and thus gains the good name
"scenery gallery".