Maying Sea

Maying Sea

The -hai Forest Park was established in 1994 with the approval of Document No. (94) Jin Lin Guan Zi No. 163 issued by the Shanxi Provincial Forestry Department. It covers a total area of 1,333 hectares and is a scenic provincial-level forest park.

The -hai Forest Park is situated in Dongzhuang Township, about 20 kilometers southwest of Ningwu County, on the horizontal line of the watershed peak—the boundary mountain between the Song and Liao dynasties. It stretches from the source of the Honghe River in the east to the Taining Highway in the west, is bounded by the East Village Road in the north, and borders Huangtupo and - in the south. This is a legendary alpine lake, a jewel embedded in the Guancen Mountains, known in ancient times as the Heavenly Lake and now also called -hai. Because it lies adjacent to Yuan Pond and has been companions through the ages, resembling a pair of mandarin ducks, it is also referred to as the Male and Female Lakes, or the Public and Private Lakes. The Heavenly and Yuan Pools are filled with water all year round, remaining clear and transparent without ever drying up.

The lake is surrounded by mountains and dense forests, with mountain scenery and water reflections creating extraordinarily beautiful views. This mirror-like expanse atop the high mountain ridge has attracted visitors throughout the dynasties with its stunning natural landscape. In the height of summer, the shores of the Heavenly Lake are lush with fragrant grass and blooming flowers, while reeds in the lake and along its edges sway in the breeze. Ducks play in the water, frogs croak, fish leap to the surface, and birds sing joyfully—creating a truly enchanting atmosphere. In the depths of winter, when northern Shanxi is blanketed in ice, the Heavenly Lake freezes over completely. On a clear day, standing atop the mountain ridge and looking out, one can spot this flawless jade-like expanse emerging from among the mountains. Bathed in the red sunlight, it shines brilliantly, resembling a precious mirror that reflects and enhances the surrounding mountain scenery.

The beauty of the Heavenly Lake lies not only in its outward appearance but also in its inner charm. The lake surface sits at an elevation of 1,954 meters, covers an area of 0.8 square kilometers—about twice the size of Beijing’s Beihai Park—and has a depth of 10 meters, reaching up to 14 meters at its deepest point. Its perennial water storage exceeds 8 million cubic meters. The average winter temperature in the lake area is around 20–25 degrees Celsius, so it doesn’t feel too cold, while the summer high rarely exceeds 26–27 degrees, making it comfortably cool. Nearby, there are other lakes such as Gonghai, Duck Sea, and Pipa Sea, forming a rare cluster of alpine lakes. The ancient Heavenly Lake is indeed a rich mountain treasure trove, harboring lesser-known aquatic resources within its embrace. The lake is home to wild species such as carp, crucian carp, and silver carp, as well as artificially introduced species like grass carp and Wuchang bream. Being a freshwater alpine lake, the fish have delicate, tender flesh that is rich yet not greasy, with fine texture and no fishy smell—distinctly different from sea fish—and are considered a fine delicacy for banquets in the region. In ancient times, they were even presented as tribute. With its pleasant scenery and enchanting beauty, the lake resembles a fairyland akin to the Jade Pool.

The fame of the Heavenly Lake did not begin today. As far back as in ancient China’s important texts such as the “Classic of Mountains and Seas” and “Commentary on the Water Classic,” the Heavenly Lake is mentioned, described as being “not overflowing in prolonged rain nor drying up in drought, clear as a mirror.” Throughout history, many have been drawn here by its reputation. Historical records note that emperors such as Gao Yang of the Northern Qi Dynasty, Gao Wei the last ruler of Northern Qi, and Emperor Xiaowen of the Wei Dynasty all visited the Heavenly Lake. By the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the lake had become an imperial retreat. Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty built the “Fenyang Palace” near the lake, nestled against the mountains and beside the water, where he would come to escape the summer heat. He compared the lake to the Fairy Lake, which shows how grand the palace’s architecture must have been at the time—though unfortunately, it has now been destroyed. During the Tang Dynasty, Empress Wu Zetian, on her way back to her parental home in Jinyang, also visited the Fenyang Palace. Even today, every visiting leader to Ningwu makes a point to see the Heavenly Lake, a testament to its long-standing fame.

The Heavenly Lake enjoys a superior geographical location, with breathtaking mountain and water scenery, a mild and pleasant climate, clean and fresh air and water, a serene and elegant surrounding environment, as well as beautiful legends from ancient and modern times, both in China and abroad. All of these elements are sure to attract wave after wave of domestic and international tourists to visit and explore this wonder.