Bixi Lake

Bixi Lake

Upstream on the 700-li Hejiang River lies a vast expanse of water that blends seamlessly with the sky—this is the Guishi Reservoir. The reservoir began impounding water in 1961, with a maximum capacity of 600 million cubic meters, making it one of Guangxi’s six largest reservoirs. It gathers waters from countless streams at the source of the Hejiang River, resulting in crystal-clear blue waters that form a large inland lake, hence the name Bixi Lake.

Stretching over 20 kilometers from east to west and more than 10 kilometers from north to south, Bixi Lake has an average depth of 20–30 meters. Even on windless days, waves can reach half a meter high. Like a lung within nature, it purifies the environment, with no visible trash along its shores or in the water. Its clarity rivals that of mountain-stream water. Today, the residents of Hezhou City drink water sourced from Bixi Lake. For over 40 years since the reservoir was filled, it has never been completely drained, leading to speculation that massive fish now roam its deep waters. The largest fish ever caught in Bixi Lake weighed 64 kilograms—about the size of an adult. Additionally, the lake’s fish population serves as natural cleaners for aquatic plants and wildlife. With nearly 300,000 people living in Fuchuan County, the fish help purify waste generated by human activity, while also providing an eco-friendly, nutritious food source. Fuchuan’s fish fry and various dried fish products are highly popular in the market. The Guishi Reservoir was constructed in 1958, covering a water surface area of 58,827 mu. It submerged 32,400 mu of farmland, 1,700 mu of forestland, 1,675 houses, 79 schools, and required the relocation of 16,986 people. According to my grandmother, when my mother was just two years old and living in Mengjia Village by the Changxi River in the ancient town of Fuchuan County, the reservoir project forced the family to relocate. They drifted by boat through wind and rain, carrying all their belongings to resettle in Yangtou Town, Zhongshan County. In the blink of an eye, what was once a bustling town became a “submerged dragon palace.”