Fuxianhu Lake Holliday Resort

At a place of 5 Km from Chenjiang County, 63 km away from Kunming, there is the second deepest lake ¡n Fuxianhu Lake in China. It has the water area of 212 square kilometers, lake banks length around 90 kilometers, average depth of the lake about 87 meters, the deepest to 155 meters, the volume of water reaching to 18.5 billion cubic meters. It riches in the Kanlan Fish (anti-wave fish) well known for its soft and gentle meat. There is a small island in the water with the area of 5.6 ha (a ha=10000 square meters). It is so especially for its clean water without pollution where is very ideal place for the vacations and holidays.

Yunnan provincial officials have disclosed for the first time the existence of a Chinese Pompeii. They report there is a large group of ancient buildings that resemble a city at the bottom of Fuxianhu Lake, according to the latest Beijing Review.

Fuxianhu Lake lies in the suburbs of Yuxi in central Yunnan, 60 km from the city of Kunming. The region has suffered earthquake damage several times. There are many local folk tales about the ancient Dian Kingdom, but little historical material had been found in the area prior to the discovery of the sunken city.

On March 13-15, 2001, a survey group composed of Beijing University professors, eco-archaeologists and two Yunnan Daily journalists reached the bottom of Fuxianhu Lake in a submarine called ¡°Blue Whale ¡±¡£ Using a series of high-tech measures, they succeded in observing and investigating the underwater relics of the ancient Dian Kingdom. The large number of resulting photos and analysis of hydrological data proved that the relics on the bottom of the lake were Dian Kingdom residences. The construction features are similar to those used in the building of the ancient Great Wall during the period of the ancient Dian Kingdom. The buildings were made of stone, and the processing of large stones is proof of the high level of civilization of the builders. The underwater city has different districts with different housing styles, stone paving and walls. Such differences are rare in existing ancient buildings.

The ancient city consists of about eight groups of stone buildings distributed in a 2-km-long, 1.2-km-wide area that covers about 2.4 square km. The eight building groups are of different sizes. Five groups lie together in the central part. The No. 4 group is located at depths ranging from 20 meters to 98 meters, and No. 6 and 7 groups are in 75-90-meter deep water.

Some experts believe the city may have sunk into the water during a huge disaster 2,000-3,000 years ago. But another theory is that something caused the lake water to rise. Further research will be necessary to determine what happened.

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.

Legend:

There prevails a legend about Fuxian Lake. It is said that two fairies descending to the world had passed through here. They were so reluctant to leave the beautiful scenery that they transfer to the stone statues stroking the shoulder. The lake was called Fuxian Lake (literally means Fairy Stroking Lake) therefrom.

Tips:

The best time to travel in Fuxian Lake and Xingyun lake is from May to October every year. It is the hottest season in Yuxi. The purpose of traveling in Fuxian Lake and Xingyun Lake is to appreciate the beauty of plateau lakes.

Food:

Chengjiang lotus root, more than 20 kinds of fishes in Fuxian Lake and stewed yam rice are all local special foods. Kanglang Fish is especially worth to mention. The fishermen like to put fresh Kanglang Fish in a copper pot with spring water. The fish is done when the temperature of the water rises. After ten to twenty minutes, it exhales a pleasant perfume. Then put various special seasonings to it. This dish tastes delicious and refreshing.

Scenic spots in the scenic area

Luchong Village

Transportation: Take bus from Kunming East Bus Station.

The Luchong Village is on the west coast of Fuxian Lake, 19 kilometers away from Chengjiang County seat. There is a big cave named Luchong Cave in the south of the village. The water temperature of the underground spring is around 24 ℃ all the year round. It constantly empties into Fuxian Lake.

The Bijia Mountains locates in the north of the village. Three mountains stand like the three legs of the penholder. As a result, it is named as Bijia Mountains (literally means Penholder Mountains). The lake to the north of the Bijia Mountain is so calm that it is called Boxi Bay (literally means Calm Wave Bay). It is a good choice to come here to swim and carry out aquatic sports.

Tips: The swimming pool in the Bijia Mountain Villa is free for the guests inthis hotel.

Jieyu Stone (The Fish Boundary Stone)

Transportation: Take bus from Kunming East Bus Station to Jiangchuan. The ticket costs 17.5 yuan. Get down at Jiangcheng. The distance is about 92 km and it takes 2.5 hours. Then bus from Jiangcheng to Mingxing or Chengjiang. Get down at Jie Yu Shi. The distance is about 19 km and the ticket costs 2 yuan.

The Jieyu Stone locates in Haimen of Jiangchuan County, which is the water outlet of Xingyun Lake. There is a two kilometers long water channel where Xingyun Lake and Fuxian Lake connect named Ge River (literally means Separation River). Jieyu Stone is a jagged cliff stretch into the water. It is said that it is the boundary for the bullhead fish in the Xingyun Lake and Kanglang Fish in the Fuxian Lake. The fish which swim to the stone will return to their own territory.

Mingxing Scenic Area

Transportation: Take bus from Kunming East Bus Station to Jiangchuan. The ticket costs 17.5 yuan and it takes 2.5 hours. Get down at Jiangcheng. Then transfer the bus to Chengjiang. Get down at Mingxing. The ticket costs 3 yuan.

The Mingxing Scenic Area locates in the west coast of Fuxian Lake, where is a boundary for Jiangchuan County and Chengjiang County. It is 12 km away from Luchong. Biyun Mountain is about 100 meters in distance on the west side of the highway between Chengjiang and Jiangchun. Most of the buildings in the Biyun Temple, which is on the mountain, are in the Taoist ancient style. Every year, on the third day of the third month in the lunar calendar, Biyun Temple holds its temple fair.

Tips: There is a Mingxing Fish Cave 1.5 km north to the foot of Biyun Mountain. During March to September every year, when it is a main season for catching Kanglang Fish, you can taste the flavor dish, Stewed Fresh Fish in Copper Pot.

Mount Gushan Island (The Isolated Mountain Island)

Situated in the south of Fuxian Lake of Jiangchuan County, Mount Gushan Island is the only island in Fuxian Lake and covers an area of 60,000 square kilometers. It is close to Haimen Park in the south and faces Lianhua Peak (Lotus Peak) of Biyun Temple in the north. Every year, on the sixth day of the sixth month in the lunar calendar, people will go to Mount Gushan for the temple fair.

Tips: Tourists was able to go to Mount Gushan Island by motor boat from Jiangchuan Wharf. However, in order to keep the water quality in Fuxian Lake, all motor boats were forbidden to drive since August, 2004. So it has become difficult for tourists to go to Mount Gushan Island. It is said that a kind of water bicycle is popular in Fuxian Lake now (20 yuan per hour). It is cheap and environmental friendly. But the disadvantage is you can not travel far by it.