Bitahai Lake



Bitahai Lake is regarded as a pearl of the Plateau, the most charming view is the tower-like hill and this
clear, peaceful water.

The Bitahai Lake Nature Reserve occupies a total area of 840 kilometers with the Bitahai Lake as the
center of this scenic spot. Being in the subtropical zone, Bitahai Lake length from the north to south is
about 60km and the width from the east to the west is 14km. The elevation of the Bitahai Lake surface
is 3,539 meters, and the length of the lake from the east to the west is 3,000 meters. The total water area
is 159 hectares, which is very clear and tranquil. If you row a boat on the water on a fine day, you will see
the water world 10 meters below.

Around the lake there are thick oak trees and "Bita" means in Tibetan the oak woods, and "Bitahai" means a quiet lake. The local Tibetans believe
that it appeared when a fairy lady dropped her miracle mirror on this place. In the novel “The Lost Horizon" James Hills depicts it as a "Blue Lake”,
an essential part of "Shangri-La".

There is an island in the lake and some boats can ferry tourists there, and on the island grow dense spruce, abies-fabri and azalea woods. All of
the green grass, zigzags, singing birds and fragrant flowers make you feel that you are in a fairy world. In the fifth month of the Chinese lunar year
tourists can see a peculiar sight-the fallen azalea flowers afloat on the water, while the fish amuse themselves in the shallow water of the lake,
swallowing the fallen azalea flowers. In the Bitahai Lake there are various kinds of fish, one of which is called "double-lipped fish", a sort of ancient
creature of the Fourth Glacial Age - swimming back and forth about 10 meters beneath the surface.

The Bitahai Lake is surrounded by mountains covered with ancient pines, oaks and rhododendrons, like
an emerald in the heart of the mountain. In the morning, water is as black as Chinese ink, as peaks are
all mirrored in the lake; On the noon, water is as green as a jade; In the evening, the water and the sky
blend into one color, giving a dazzling light. 

In later spring and early summer, wild flowers bloom profusely in the meadows, the glorious colors shine
like twinkle stars in a sky of fresh green grass; In the depth of winter, flocks of cows, horses and sheep
sport in the meadows, immersing in joy.