Kunming of Yunan Tour Package
Dianchi Lake
The Dianchi Lake Scenic Area is located
in the southwest part of Kunming
City. Dianchi Lake is, beyond question, the center of the resort.
There are numerous attractions along the lake captivating tourists.
Among these are the Yunnan Ethnic Villages, Daguan Park, Baiyukou
Park, Haigeng Bank, Kwan-yin Hill, Xishan Forest Park, temples and
pagodas. Towns, big or small near the lake provide visitors with an
opportunity to experience customs of the local people.
Dianchi Lake is about 300 square kilometers (74,132
acres). It is the largest freshwater lake in Yunnan Province and the
sixth largest one in China. With picturesque scenery and its
location on the Yungui Plateau, the lake has a reputation as 'A
Pearl on the Plateau'. Unfortunately, the lake has been badly
polluted. Although efforts have been made to save the lake, they
have been largely unsuccessful.
The Dianchi lake is crescent-shaped, about 39
kilometers (24 miles) in length and 13 kilometers (8 miles) in width
at its widest. Its natural banks are formed by mountains on all four
sides. More than twenty rivers nurture the lake which has a
shoreline of 163.2 kilometers (101 miles). Four surrounding hills
contribute to the picturesque landscape, making visitors intoxicated
and linger around. You may appreciate the beauty of the lake and
hills from a boat, and explore this cradle of Yunnan culture.
Yunnan Ethnic Villages:
The village acts as a good shortcut to understand the
social customs of the ethnic groups in Yunnan. It has a natural sun
bathing area where you can escape from the heat of summer.
Twenty-five ethnic nationalities have their respective villages and
conduct many activities to present their unique folkways and
beautiful clothes. Also you can enjoy the water screen movie and an
elephant performance, have a taste of the local dishes and buy
pretty handicrafts.
Daguan Park:
Daguan Park is vibrant with rock gardens, pavilions,
bridges and murmuring water. It is famous for the longest couplets
in China on the Daguan Pavilion. The Daguan Pavilion was built in
the year 1828. It commands a lovely view. The couplet written in the
Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), contains 180 characters brimming with
literary grace. During festival evenings, gatherings take place
here.
Baiyukou Park:
Baiyukou Park is on the west bank of Dianchi Lake. Here
a small hill looks like a white fish opening its mouth to Dianchi
Lake. Near the Irregular shoreline, beautiful gardens are hidden
among green trees. In spring, the cherry trees are in blossom,
adding luster to this serene place. Overlooking Dianchi Lake, you
can see white sails of boats on the glistening lake and gulls
skimming over the waves.
Haigeng Bank:
Haigeng Bank is about four kilometers (2.5 miles) long
while ranging in width from forty meters (131 feet) to three hundred
meters (984 feet). The bank, like a floating jade belt, is in fact a
watershed of the Dianchi Lake. Slender willow twigs sweep the lake
in the gentle breeze. In the south is a wonderful natural swimming
pool which is always crammed with people in midsummer.
Kwan-yin Hill:
Kwan-yin Hill is bordered by the vast lake and has an
altitude of 2,040 meters (6,693 feet). Lofty peaks on this hill seem
to thrust themselves straight towards the sky. A Kwan-yin Temple
built here in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) was once a popular resort
of Buddhism. Remaining are a seven-tier brick pagoda, houses, and a
gate to the Kwan-yin Temple.
|