Dianchi Lake

Chinese name: 滇池 (Dian Chi)  
Location: Shilin Town, Shilin County, Kunming, Yunnan Province.
Ticket: Entrance ticket free
Estimated tour time: 1-2 hours
Recommended time to visit: All year round.
Nearby attractions: Western Hills & Dragon Gate, Kunming Flower & Bird Market, Jiuxiang Caves, Daguan Pavilion, etc.

Located at the foot of the Western Hills, southwest of Kunming, embraced by several peaks and alluring waters, Dianchi Lake is just like a sparkling jewel embedded in Kunming. Dianchi Lake was formed based upon a fault crossing the central Yunnan Plateau.The lake is crescent-shaped,  Its natural banks are formed by mountains on all four sides. More than twenty rivers nurture the lake which has a shoreline of 163.2 kilometers, occupying an area of 300 square km and 40km from north to south. Being a highland lake with an elevation of 1885 meters, the lake is also reputed as a "Pearl of the Plateau." Four surrounding hills contribute to the picturesque landscape, making visitors intoxicated and linger around.

The Dianchi Scenic Area is quite mesmerizing, where natural scenery and human landscape blend perfectly. It can be divided into two districts, namely West district and East district. What makes Dianchi Lake distinctive is that the color of its water changes with the clouds and sunshine of the day.

The beautiful lake is surrounded by many famous attractions which make it convenient traveling in Kunming, the West Hill Forest Park, Daguan Park, Folk Minority Villages, National Sport Training Centers, Yunnan National Museum and other attractions are very close to the lake.

The agreeable tourist attractions around Dianchi include the Guanyin Hill Scenic Area (full of fishing villages and boats), the Haigen outdoor bathing place, the elegant Daguan Park, etc. Shipping in the embrace of the blue sky and green water, enjoying the magnificent mountains, guest may feel the lake of Dianchi mixed the grace of the lakes and the courage of the oceans together.

Every winter, Dianchi turns into a paradise for black-headed gulls, Kunming's feathered friends, the black-headed seagulls, arrived to rest up on their long journey southwards. For 35 years the birds have been coming to Kunming, on their annual trek from Siberia to Southeast Asia.tens of thousands of migrating gulls make the shores of Dianchi Lake (滇池) their home, and a lot of citizens will come here to feed or watch the birds. Throw some bread crumbs and you will surely invite a flock of gulls. It is a really amazing experience to be surrounded by these birds.

On the West Mountain, you can overlook the crossed green fields and the vast green Dian Chi Lake, the high and low peaks ranged at random at distance and emerald forests and elegant meditation rooms closely. When climbing the Longmen and overlooking the endless Dian Chi Lake, you will see the green wave ripples and the pretty scenes of the lake. If enjoying the Dian Chi Lake on the close Grand View Pavilion, you will see that the waving water is running to your eyes and the sails are strolling in the light mist on the lake.