Lightning Lake

Lightning Lake

Lightning Lake is located on the Bashang Plateau in Fengning, with its main scenic area to the west of Datang. It’s just a ten-minute drive from Datang to Lightning Lake, yet you cross two cities — the inns and entertainment venues belong to Fengning County in Chengde City, while Lightning Lake itself is in Guyuan County, Zhangjiakou City. The lake is quite large, not deep, with crystal-clear water where aquatic plants sway gently, and you can occasionally spot tiny shrimp swimming freely. Black and white waterbirds dart nimbly across the surface, adding a touch of life to the lake at dusk. The sunlight is golden, casting the grassland in a shimmering golden hue. Standing alone by the lake, you can feel the gentle breeze brushing by.

Nowadays, Lightning Lake has become a must-visit scenic spot when traveling to the North Beijing Grasslands. The endless expanse of the grassland, the vast and azure Lightning Lake, the blue sky and white clouds, the green grass and clear waters, along with the star-like white Mongolian yurts reflecting one another, create a pristine and beautiful scene of nature.

The lakeside scenic area offers a variety of recreational activities, including horseback riding, off-road driving, gliders, quad biking, fencing, shooting, darts, and kite flying. At night, staying at the nearby resorts becomes even more fun — under the night sky, the sound of the horsehead fiddle, the aroma of whole lamb roasting by the bonfire, and the graceful movements of grassland dances and songs come together; the warm-hearted Mongolian brothers and sisters offer you white hadas, fragrant mare’s milk wine, and the rousing welcome song, giving you a delightful surprise upon your first arrival on the grassland.

If you’re a photographer, the soft waters of Lightning Lake also make it a great spot for capturing sunsets and sunrises. In the evening, you can shoot the sunset and silhouettes backlit from the amusement park side of Lightning Lake; in the early morning, head to the opposite direction at the Lightning Lake Dam to capture the sunrise and the purest, most beautiful scenery of the grassland and lake area.