Hongluo Lake

Hongluo Lake

Covering an area of 1,200 mu (approximately 80 hectares), Hongluo Lake consists of 1,000 mu of water surface and 200 mu of land. Located within Huairou District in Beijing, it is 52 kilometers from downtown Beijing, 1.3 kilometers from Huairou County, and 1.7 kilometers from Hongluo Temple. Nestled next to the renowned Hongluo Temple scenic area, it serves as a key passage to the temple.

The scenery around Hongluo Lake is picturesque, with shimmering waters, lush green trees, harmonious mountains and water, and birds singing in chorus. In the middle of the lake, a tree-covered peninsula cradles the giant statue of the “Hongluo Fairy.” The fairy, holding a precious pearl, stands gracefully, her reflection dancing on the water’s surface, adding even more charm to the lake.

Hongluo Lake offers a full range of tourist activities. Among them is the Hongluo Lake Bird Island, where visitors can observe various rare bird species up close and experience their lives firsthand. The island features a 100-meter-long avian science corridor, a children’s play area, and fishing and boating games. Tourists can feed the birds and take photos with them.

The island also provides accommodations, beach volleyball and soccer, outdoor swimming, karaoke, sauna, table tennis rooms, outdoor barbecues, and open-air dance floors. Water activities include rowboats, pedal-powered duck boats, covered boats, leisure boats that allow overnight stays on the lake, speedboats, dragon boats, large passenger boats, and self-drive jet skis. In winter, activities such as ice fishing, ice skating, and a variety of ice sleds are available for fun. There is also a restaurant capable of serving 500 guests at once.

According to ancient legend, a black fish spirit became demonic by the shores of Yan Mountain Lake, committing all kinds of evil deeds. On every full moon night, it would capture young boys and girls to enhance its magical powers, bringing great suffering to the local people, who lived in misery and voiced endless complaints. Upon hearing of this, the Jade Emperor was furious and dispatched a fairy to subdue the demon. The fairy battled the black fish spirit for eight days and nights, ultimately restoring peace and happiness to the people.

Moved by the suffering of the villagers and to ensure their everlasting peace, the fairy transformed herself into a giant red snail and took up permanent residence in the lake. To honor her, later generations built a statue of the Red Snail Fairy on the lake’s islet and named the lake Hongluo Lake. The mountain to the north was called Hongluo Mountain. In the late Sui and early Tang dynasties, Hongluo Temple was constructed at the foot of the mountain. Legend has it that locals who prayed to the lake in times of trouble would have their wishes granted.