Darbin Lake

Darbin Lake

Darbin Lake

Darbin Lake is located in the middle and upper reaches of the Nen River and Bila River basins in Oroqen Autonomous Banner, on the southern slope of the eastern foothills of the Greater Khingan Mountains. It is under the jurisdiction of the Bila River Forestry Bureau of the Inner Mongolia Greater Khingan Mountains Forestry Administration. The park can be accessed by gravel roads and regular vehicles. The park covers an area of 22,081

hectares, with a forest coverage rate of 75.3%

, featuring abundant natural landscapes.

The Darbin Lake area in Oroqen Autonomous Banner mainly consists of the following scenic spots:

(1)

Darbin Lake: Located near the Yiwen Highway, it is 258

kilometers from Alihe Town. The lake surface sits at an elevation of 437 meters, covering an area of 0.55 square kilometers. The lake is clear and calm, and is a volcanic barrier lake. Since its development in 1998,

the Darbin Lake scenic area has built infrastructure such as hotels, restaurants, and staff dormitories, purchased recreational facilities including boats, bows, crossbows, and fishing rods, and released 1.1 million fish fry. Darbin Lake: Located downstream of the Amutiesu River in the Bila River tributary, on the southern slope of E’moertu Mountain. It is 279

kilometers from Alihe Town, formed in ancient times by the deposition of lava from the eruption of the Darbin volcano, which blocked the river valley to create a barrier lake. Darbin Lake is about 3.4

kilometers long and approximately 1.5

kilometers wide. The surrounding mountain vegetation mainly consists of species such as white birch, black birch, oak, Dahurian larch, and poplar. With its elegant environment, clear lake water, excellent water quality, and abundant fish, the area around the lake is also often home to various wild animals, earning it the reputation of a “natural garden.”

(2)

God’s Finger Gorge: This is the only major canyon in the Greater Khingan Mountains, located 268

kilometers from Alihe Town. The terrain is steep,

with the riverbed and terraces covered in volcanic lava. Stretching tens of kilometers in length and about 30–50

meters in depth, the canyon is about 100–150

meters wide on both sides. The river water is clear and flows rapidly, with depths of 1.0–1.5

meters. The sound of flowing water can be heard clearly hundreds of meters away. Two striking, jagged, and precipitous rock peaks appear either connected end-to-end or facing each other from afar. Waterfalls cascade down through the rocks; the Bila River flows through the canyon and into the Nen River. The vegetation along the canyon is a mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forest.

(3)

Stone Beach Area: Located on the north bank of the Bila River, 260

kilometers from Alihe Town. It is an open expanse of basalt rock formations, dotted with the rare tree species – Amur corktree. The black tones of the basalt contrast sharply with the green hues of the corktrees, creating a delightful visual experience.

(4)

Square Mountain Tianchi (Heavenly Lake): Located 30

kilometers northwest of Nuomin Town in the autonomous banner, south of the Bila River and west of the Nuomin River, atop the surrounding mountains at an elevation of

933

meters. It is 282

kilometers from Alihe Town. The mountaintop stretches over

500

meters from east to west and more than 300

meters from north to south.

,

It was formed into a square shape due to a volcanic eruption. At the top lies a natural lake — “Tianchi” — formed by the accumulation of spring water and rainwater. The water is deep emerald and tranquil, surrounded by honeycomb-like rocks formed from cooled volcanic lava. Due to Square Mountain’s high elevation, a watchtower has been built at the summit, offering a wide and unique panoramic view.