Fuxian Lake National Tourism Resort

Chengjiang Fuxian Lake National Tourism Resort. Fuxian Lake is situated 5 kilometers south of Chengjiang County in Yuxi City and approximately 70 kilometers from Kunming. Chengjiang serves as the gateway to Fuxian Lake from Kunming.

Fuxian Lake National Tourism Resort is a national wetland park.

Fuxian Lake, a panoramic view of Fuxian Lake — China’s largest deep freshwater lake, the largest lake at the source of the Pearl River, and part of the Nanpan River system. It lies between Chengjiang, Jiangchuan, and Huaning counties in Yuxi City, Yunnan Province, more than 60 kilometers from Kunming. Fuxian Lake is a fault-formed erosion lake oriented north to south, shaped like an inverted gourd — wide at both ends and narrow in the middle, broad and deep in the north, narrow and shallow in the south, with a constriction in the middle. The lake surface sits at an elevation of 1,722.5 meters, covers an area of 216.6 square kilometers, has a water volume of 20.62 billion cubic meters, and an average depth of 95.2 meters, reaching a maximum depth of 158.9 meters. Its capacity of 20.62 billion cubic meters equals 12 times that of Dianchi Lake, 6 times that of Erhai Lake, and 4.5 times that of Taihu Lake. It accounts for 72.8% of the total water storage of Yunnan’s nine plateau lakes and 9.16% of the freshwater lake storage nationwide.

In addition to rainfall runoff from surrounding streams during the rainy season, Fuxian Lake is also replenished by numerous underground springs along its shores. The lake water is clear and pristine, classified as Class I water, with an average transparency of 5–6 meters and a maximum of 12.5 meters, making it one of the best-quality inland freshwater lakes in China and the best in Yunnan Province.

The Tang Dynasty’s Fan Chuo wrote in the *Manshu* (Book of the Southern Barbarians) that Fuxian Lake was called the “Great Pool.” The *Chengjiang Prefecture Records* state: “The Liangshui River (referring to today’s Chengjiang and Jiangchuan region), known as the Great Pool in the Tang Dynasty records, is Fuxian Lake.” It was later called Luojia Lake. According to the *Ming History · Geographic Records*, Chengjiang Prefecture “has Luozang Mountain (now Liangwang Mountain) to the north and Fuxian Lake to the south, also called Luojia Lake.” This name may be related to the establishment of the Luojia Tribe by the Nanzhao and Dali Duan regimes in Chengjiang during the Song and Yuan dynasties. The name Fuxian Lake is tied to a myth: it is said that the Jade Emperor sent two celestial immortals, Shi and Xiao, to tour the human world. Arriving in central Yunnan, they saw a shimmering pool of blue water. Mesmerized by the scenery, they forgot to return and turned into two giant stones standing side by side by the lake. In the past, there were two such rocks near the southeast of the lake, believed to be the two immortals. When boating on the lake, one could faintly see their figures admiring the view. To commemorate them, the lake was named Fuxian (meaning “Immortal Embrace”).

The fame of Fuxian Lake has drawn many visitors. But few actually know the origin of its name. In Fengshan Park in Chengjiang County, there is a sculpture called “Fuxian,” depicting the immortals Shi and Xiao enchanted by the lake. The sculpture includes this inscription: “Legend says that the celestial immortals Shi and Xiao, captivated by the clarity of ‘Chengjiang Sea,’ descended on clouds to the lakeside. Bewitched by the stunning scenery, they lingered and eventually turned into stone, embracing each other. Thus, the lake was named Fuxian.”

Legend has it that the Jade Emperor, dwelling in the heavens, once looked down upon the human world and spotted a pearl-shaped jewel nestled among misty mountains — deep blue, pure, and sparkling brilliantly. Enchanted, he quickly dispatched the immortals Shi and Xiao to descend and capture this earthly beauty to adorn the heavens.

The two immortals hurriedly rode the clouds and landed southeast of the jewel. What they saw took their breath away: bizarre, rugged rocks surrounded the jewel — towering like jade stalks, inkstone stands, elephants drinking water, or tigers descending mountains. In the lake sat Solitary Hill, which in the fog appeared like a mystical island, shifting mysteriously in size and shape, reflecting beautifully with the jewel. The vast, misty lake was calm as a mirror when still, soft and graceful like a reclining maiden; when waves rose, the white foam danced like scattered jade or blooming lotuses.

The interplay of distant mountains, nearby waters, and scattered islets painted a breathtaking, profound landscape. The two immortals, enthralled, stood hand in hand, admiring and praising the view, so entranced they forgot to paint or return. Day after day, year after year, they remained frozen in awe. Eventually, the two immortals turned into stone peaks. Indeed, southeast of Fuxian Lake stand two stone mountains resembling figures holding hands and gazing down at the jewel — said to be Shi and Xiao, and thus the lake was named Fuxian.

Six must-visit attractions at Fuxian Lake: 1. Biyun Mountain, offering a panoramic view of the lake and surrounding landscape from the summit; 2. Fuxian Lake Ruby Beach, perfect for enjoying the plateau lake; 3. Moon Bay Ecological Wetland, Yunnan’s largest wetland; 4. Tobacco Manor, China’s first tobacco-themed park; 5. Mingxing Village, site of the unique “boat fishing” method; 6. Binyan Park, filming location of the movie *Years of Wasted Youth*.

Biyun Mountain. With lush forests and picturesque scenery, it ranks alongside Xiacun Mountain and Laoyingwo Mountain. A rebuilt Biyun Temple on the mountain transformed the original earthen path from the foot to the summit into a 72-tier, 560-step stone staircase, two meters wide. The path is lined with steep cliffs, green trees, and peculiar rocks, enhancing the scenic beauty. Facing Fuxian Lake, the summit provides sweeping views of the landscape, leaving visitors refreshed and reluctant to leave.

Fuxian Lake Ruby Beach. Located at Fengjiawan Beach, Fengjia Bay Village Committee, Jiangcheng County, Jiangchuan County, Yuxi City, Yunnan Province. The beach sits opposite Solitary Hill Island, boasting beautiful surroundings and wide vistas. It is the main boarding point for boats heading to the lake’s central Solitary Hill Island. Dozens of paddle and pedal boats are available. Gather a few friends, hop on a boat, and drift across the lake as the breeze carries the heat — a unique way to experience this highland freshwater lake, famed for its ancient Dian civilization.

Moon Bay Ecological Wetland Park. Situated on the northern shore of Fuxian Lake, the park features snow-white, soft sand and thousands of subtropical plants, forming a vibrant green ecological space. Every November, migratory birds flock to the lake for winter, with the red-billed gull from Siberia being the most numerous. Stroll along the white sands as the sunset paints the lake golden, while gulls circle feeders. Facilities include composite ecological wetlands, lakeside leisure beaches, adventure training centers, wading pools, paintball fields, archery ranges, and beach volleyball courts.

Tobacco Manor. Developed by Yuxi Tobacco Company in Yunnan, Yuxi Manor includes a management center, a plateau specialty agriculture demonstration farm, and a specialty agriculture valley — China’s first tobacco-themed manor. Visitors can tour the Biological Pest Control Center, Organic Technology Joint Research Center, baking and organic technology innovation zone, Yuxi Manor Experience Hall, management center, and cooperative. Organic Yuxi Manor cigarettes and organic fruits and vegetables are also available for purchase.

Mingxing Village. Nestled against mountains and water, Mingxing Village in Jiangcheng is the birthplace of the ancient spectacle “boat fishing.” Known as Mingxing Fishing Cave, dozens of caves are distributed along springs at the base of cliffs along nearly a kilometer of the western Fuxian Lake shore. Local fishermen use wooden waterwheels to draw spring water from grottoes shaded by banyan trees, channeling it into the lake. The temperature difference and flow rate between the spring and lake water attract anti-wave fish, which gather to swim upstream.

Binyan Park. Home to a thousand-year-old fragrant tree, the movie *Years of Wasted Youth* was filmed here, earning the park’s village, Luchong, the nickname “Wasted Village.”

Suggested Duration

2–3 days

Transportation

Fuxian Lake is located 5 kilometers south of Chengjiang County in Yuxi City and approximately 70 kilometers from Kunming. Chengjiang serves as the gateway to Fuxian Lake from Kunming.

Public Transport:

① Kunming – Chengjiang

Bus: Take a bus from Kunming South Bus Station to Chengjiang County; the journey takes about 1 hour, with tickets around 20 RMB per person. Contact Kunming South Bus Station: 0871-67361722.

② Chengjiang – Fuxian Lake

In Chengjiang County, take Bus No. 2 or No. 8 to reach different scenic spots along Fuxian Lake.

Self-Drive:

Take the Kunyu (Kunming–Mohan) Expressway, exit at Chengjiang, then connect to the Chengcheng Expressway to reach Chengjiang County. Follow Xianhu Road to the northern shore of Fuxian Lake, with the nearest attraction being the Xinhekou Lakeside Park.

Admission

Admission fees: 15 RMB per person at the Lucun Scenic Area, 15 RMB per person at the Gushan Scenic Area, 30 RMB per person at the Moon Bay Wetland Park, 20 RMB per person at the Maotianshan Geological Park, free entry at the Xinhekou Lakeside Park, free entry at the Cherry Blossom Valley Scenic Area, free entry at the Fuxian Lake Stone Museum, and most other general scenic spots around Fuxian Lake do not require admission fees.

Opening Hours

All day

Location

Chengjiang County, Yuxi City, Yunnan Province