Kangping Wolong Lake

Kangping Wolong Lake

Wolong Lake is located one kilometer west of Kangping County in the northernmost part of Shenyang City, right at the southern edge of the Horqin Grassland, known as the "Eight Hundred Li Sea of Sand." The area covers 112 square kilometers, including a water surface of 64 square kilometers, a tidal flat area of 48 square kilometers, and a shoreline stretching 38 kilometers in total. With an average water storage of 70 million cubic meters and an average depth of 1.2 meters, it is the largest freshwater lake on the plains in the three northeastern provinces. Wolong Lake has become a famous tourist destination in Kangping County, Shenyang City, and even Liaoning Province, attracting visitors with its beautiful ecological environment and abundant natural water resources.

I. Natural Tourism Resources

(1) Rich Biodiversity

The favorable climate and superior natural environment have nurtured a rich diversity of species in the Wolong Lake Nature Reserve. With its vast waters and dense vegetation, the reserve is a natural gene bank, providing ideal conditions for eco-tourism and environmental education. A total of 817 species have been recorded in the Wolong Lake Nature Reserve, including 183 species of vascular plants, 154 species of phytoplankton, 38 species of zooplankton, 36 species of fish, 10 species of amphibians, 16 species of reptiles, 140 species of birds, 25 species of mammals, and 215 species of insects. This remarkable variety of wildlife offers tourism and sightseeing value unmatched by most scenic areas.

(2) Vast and Expansive Water Scenery

Wolong Lake boasts abundant water resources and is the largest freshwater lake on the plains in Liaoning Province. Its expansive waters help moderate the local microclimate, making winters warmer and summers cooler compared to other regions at the same latitude. During high-water periods, the entire lake merges with the sky, creating a vast, misty expanse of rippling blue waves and ever-changing scenery. Flocks of waterfowl, dense reed beds, and shimmering waters teeming with birds and fish form a rare and picturesque scene in semi-arid and semi-humid regions.

(3) Lush and Diverse Wetland Plant Communities

Wolong Lake features a rich variety of vegetation and plant species, primarily including eight types of plant communities: submerged plant communities, floating plant communities, floating-leaved rooted plant communities, emergent plant communities, wet meadow plant communities, meadow-steppe plant communities, and shrub communities. In early spring, as nature awakens, sprouting plants and blooming flowers create a vibrant, fragrant, and colorful landscape, making it a perfect spot for spring outings. In midsummer, gentle breezes rustle through rolling green grasslands, with secluded paths, birdsong, floral scents, and dancing bees and butterflies creating a lively and refreshing atmosphere, ideal for escaping the heat. In autumn, golden grasslands evoke a sense of harvest and resemble an oil painting, offering breathtaking views that captivate and linger in the heart. In winter, the landscape is blanketed in silvery white, with frost-covered trees and enchanting scenes. The vast wilderness occasionally reveals animal tracks, sparking imagination and presenting a true northern snowscape to visitors.

(4) Graceful and Enchanting Wetland Birdlife

The vast waters and lush aquatic plants of Wolong Lake form a magical wetland landscape—a paradise for birds to soar and sing freely. This is a gift from nature, showcasing the wonders of the natural world. Every spring, large flocks of migratory birds build cozy nests in the hidden corners of the reed-filled wetlands to lay eggs and raise their young, filling the area with vitality. In summer, wildflowers bloom, birds chirp, butterflies flutter, and the blue sky, clear waters, and green grass are alive with cranes, warblers, and swallows, resembling a hidden paradise. Thanks to the abundant vegetation, Wolong Lake serves as an ideal habitat and stopover for birds during migration. The swaying reed marshes, cattails, and calamus provide shelter for waterfowl, making it a true haven for avian life. Common waterbirds include red-crowned cranes, white-naped cranes, Siberian cranes, hooded cranes, great white egrets, grey herons, mallards, and various gulls and geese. These birds often gather in flocks, sometimes dancing on the water’s surface, sometimes diving beneath, displaying dazzling plumage that offers visual delight. Various waterfowl rise and fall, swim and stop, stretch their necks to gaze at visitors, or call to one another. On the crystal-clear water, great white egrets shine brilliantly in the sunlight, their snow-white feathers and gracefully curved necks enhancing their elegant swimming posture. The Eurasian coot, with its long hair-like head feathers, dives and surfaces like an “underwater prince.” The black-winged stilt, with its slender and graceful figure, moves lightly and elegantly, earning the nickname “Red-Legged Lady.” Ducks and geese of all colors dot the water like floral wonders, splashing and gliding as if in an aerial performance. At sunset, against the glow of the evening sky, the scene resembles the poetic “autumn water blending with the boundless sky, where setting clouds fly with lonely ducks.” The great egret, dressed in pure white, appears as a celestial being descending to earth. Gulls are the speedy fliers here, constantly diving and twisting to catch small fish, adding a delightful charm that makes visitors linger.

(5) Northern Scenery: Rime and Ice Landscapes

With ample water supply, rime formations are frequently seen at Wolong Lake. When temperatures drop below 0°C but conditions aren’t yet right for snow, mist rises from the water’s surface and condenses into tiny frost-like crystals on shore-side branches, grass leaves, and soil. These glisten like fine silver blossoms—crystal clear and dazzling—resembling a light snowfall and forming the rime spectacle. Walking into this landscape feels like entering a silver world, solemn and majestic.

Wolong Lake also offers unique and marvelous ice and snow scenery. The long, harsh winters bring heavy snowfall with flakes as big as goose feathers, covering the land in a vast white blanket with snow depths of around 20 cm. The snow is dry and powdery, pure white and translucent like jade. Tree branches are weighed down with snow, creating a sparkling silver-clad wonderland. This stunning icy spectacle provides an excellent natural setting for winter recreational activities. Animal tracks are often visible on the snow, adding a touch of wild charm and offering visitors a chance to reconnect with nature’s simplicity and magic.

II. Cultural and Historical Attractions

The areas surrounding Wolong Lake are rich in cultural and historical sites. Stone tablets and carvings erected by locals at the docks are dedicated to praying to the water gods for favorable weather. Additionally, to the east of the lake lies the Pearl Mountain Bronze Site and Haiyin Zen Poetry; to the west is the Tomb of Prince Nasu of the Qing Dynasty; to the south are the Han Dynasty Tombs of Longbei Mountain; and to the north are the ruins of Yuanzhou from the Liao and Jin periods.

III. Tourism Activities

Based on the characteristics of the scenic spots, a variety of tourism programs are offered, with a focus on experiencing natural landscapes.

1. Science Education Tourism

Through activities such as visiting comprehensive specimen museums, viewing exhibitions, watching environmental films, participating in scientific research, and engaging in student-focused science programs, visitors can explore and study the wetland and wildlife resources of the reserve. These experiences help people understand the value of nature and gain knowledge in natural sciences, thereby raising ecological and conservation awareness. Science education tourism mainly targets primary and secondary school students.

2. Bird-Watching Tourism

Birds are among the most vibrant, visually appealing, and accessible wildlife resources for tourists. The Wolong Lake Nature Reserve is home to a rich and precious array of bird species. To avoid disturbing the birds during feeding and nesting, bird-watching facilities are designed to be unobtrusive, maintaining a safe distance from the avian inhabitants.

3. Leisure Tourism

The ecological tourism area of the reserve is far from the hustle and bustle, making it an excellent destination for relaxation. Visitors can stroll along the water’s edge, watch sunrises and sunsets over the lake, and enjoy both physical and mental rejuvenation.

4. Recreational and Entertainment Tourism

Centered around leisure and fun, this category highlights activities such as boating on the lake, fishing, water play, and various water sports.

5. Farmhouse and Fishing Village Experiences

A variety of farmhouse and fishing village tourism activities are available at the holiday homes around the reserve.