Gengwang Lake

Gengwang Lake

Gengwang Lake, sourced from the Buquan River, is a seasonal natural lake located at the junction of Biquan, Nanzhai, and Pingshan townships. To be more precise, it lies near Jiuxin Village in Silian Village, Nanzhai Town, and Bannin Xinwang Village, also in Nanzhai Town. The scenery varies with the seasons, making it a "chameleon lake." It often plays the roles of a "heavenly lake in the rainy season," a "wheat field in spring," or a "pasture in summer." Its beauty, tranquility, simplicity, and harmony attract visitors from all over. The lakebed features a complex terrain, roughly divided into upper, middle, and lower sections. The upper section is located around Baicao (a local place name) in both new and old Wang villages. The terrain here is mostly flat. During spring and autumn, fields of buckwheat (triangle wheat) sway in waves, and as the breeze blows, the layers of golden grain roll toward you like rippling blue waves. When the buckwheat blossoms, the area turns a vast expanse of white, making you feel as if you've stepped into a snowy paradise in the north. There are two small ponds here that rarely dry up. As the middle and lower sections run dry first, this area becomes a key fish congregation zone and serves as a year-round “vegetable basket” base for local villagers. The middle section lies in Liugeng (a local place name), where the terrain consists mainly of earthen mounds. In the dry season, lush green grass covers the area, turning it into a vast natural pasture—a prime spot for local herding and even a natural soccer field. In recent years, it has become a popular destination for self-driving adventurers and off-road enthusiasts during holidays. The lower section is situated at the border of Xinwang Village in Bannin Village, Nanzhai Town, and Tongyou Village in Wenhua Village, Pingshan Township. The terrain here is dominated by karst stone forests, with jagged and uniquely shaped rocks scattered across the landscape. During the flood season, water from the upper lake flows rapidly through the Wanghu Tunnel, while underground river water surges up from the lower lake. Catfish, carp, and river shrimp from the underground river are carried along with the flow. Overnight, the lower lake transforms into a vast expanse of water, surrounded by green mountains and rippling blue waves, with fish leaping joyfully. This makes it an ideal spot for leisure fishing. If you find yourself here, you may feel as though you're living the poetic line: "A straw rain cape, a green bamboo hat—no need to return in the slanting wind and fine rain."

Gengwang Lake is a seasonal lake—water accumulates quickly and also recedes just as fast, filling up in just a few short days and disappearing in just as little time. In the dry winter season, villagers plant buckwheat on the lakebed. Around New Year’s Day, the buckwheat flowers are in full bloom, creating a breathtaking sight of scattered white specks stretching as far as the eye can see. Being there feels like stepping into a snow-blanketed northern paradise. When the spring breeze blows, green waves of wheat roll along with white blossoms, bringing a refreshing sense of joy. The surrounding verdant mountains and scattered cattle enhance the tranquility and leisure, making one forget the hustle and bustle of city life. It's like a hidden utopia or a heavenly paradise on Earth.

According to local villagers, Gengwang Lake showcases three distinct scenes throughout the year: a "lake in the rainy season," a "wheat field in spring," and a "pasture in the dry season." Each season brings its own unique beauty and sense of mystery.

Every season when the buckwheat flowers bloom, tens of thousands of acres of triangle buckwheat flowers burst into spectacular bloom. The flowers resemble silent snowflakes, quietly covering the land and gently nurturing the life growing within it.

Currently, the scenery of Gengwang Lake remains undeveloped and is only known within small circles of photography enthusiasts and hiking aficionados, preserving its original, pristine beauty. It has been hailed by many photographers as the last Shangri-La of Long’an.