Outer Great Wall Panlong Lake Tourist Scenic Area

Outer Great Wall Panlong Lake Tourist Scenic Area

The Outer Great Wall Panlong Lake Tourist Scenic Area is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

Panlong Lake is situated in the southwestern part of Kuancheng. It is an artificial lake created by the impoundment of the Panjiakou Reservoir, the largest water conservancy and hydropower project in North China. When viewed from the air, the entire lake surface looks like a giant dragon waving its claws and tail, poised to leap through the clouds—thus it is called “Panlong Lake.” The lake governs a total catchment area of 33,700 square kilometers of the Luanhe River, with a total storage capacity of 2.93 billion cubic meters. The lake area spans 180 square kilometers, with a water surface area of 74 square kilometers. The water surface within Kuancheng accounts for 71% of the total water area. The backwater length is 75 kilometers. The specific water level is 224.7 meters, the normal storage level is 222 meters, and the dead storage level is 80 meters. The annual average temperature ranges from 9.0 to 9.2°C, with annual precipitation between 700 and 780 millimeters, and an annual frost-free period of 170 to 175 days.

The lake area boasts abundant tourism resources and is the largest water-based leisure tourism zone in North China in terms of water surface area, vegetation coverage, and well-preserved historical relics. The waterways within the lake stretch over 100 li (approximately 50 kilometers), featuring crystal-clear waters, rippling waves, and a dreamlike interplay of clouds and water. Towering cliffs, uniquely shaped rocks, and ancient pines and cypresses line the shores, creating a picturesque landscape. Amidst this splendid natural scenery, cultural and natural attractions blend seamlessly. The scenic area is rich in historical relics, where history, folklore, religion, and ecological features complement each other. There are over 60 scenic spots in the lake area. These include numerous naturally exquisite sites such as the Ten-Mile Gallery, Panlong Cave, Immortal Valley, Elephant Mountain, Shoulder-Pole Eye Mountain, Rabbit Gazing at the Moon, and Camel Hump Mountain. There are also profound historical sites such as the Great Wall dating back to the Warring States Period, the ancient Lulong Pass used by Cao Cao during his northern campaign against the Wuhuan, Xifengkou and Panjiakou where Qi Jiguang guarded for sixteen years, the guerrilla base of the Eastern Hebei Military District during the war, and the birthplace of the “March of the Volunteers” anthem. Film locations for movies such as *The Town Head*, *Banzhang Primary School*, and *Devils on the Doorstep* also attract visitors with their charm and nostalgia. Ancient literati and scholars throughout history, including Chen Zi'ang, Gao Shi, Lu You, Qi Jiguang, Emperor Kangxi, Gao Shiqi, and He Xiangning, have composed poems in praise of this place. Emperor Kangxi wrote in his poem *Exiting Xifengkou*: “A procession of imperial chariots passes through, / A three-pronged hunt brings troops home. / Moss-covered stones halfway to the sky, / Pine trees refreshed by mountain rain. / The gate is fortified, the pass majestic, / In peaceful times, the beacon fires are still. / The imperial mausoleum’s aura draws near, / Amidst the misty green hills it dwells.”

The entire lake area presents a stunning tableau where mountains and waters complement each other, reminiscent of the landscapes of Guilin and the scenery along the Li River. It has earned the reputations of “Jiangnan of the North” and “Guilin Beyond the Great Wall.” Along with the Jinshanling section of the Great Wall and the main peak of the Yan Mountains, Wuling Mountain, it is celebrated as one of Chengde’s “Three Wonders of the Purple Frontier.”