Top 10 Most Beautiful Lakes in China

Situated in suburb of Dali City, the second largest freshwater lake - Erhai Lake (洱海) looks like a narrow human ear with two outlets. Moon on Erhai Lake is one of the four major sights of Dali when the jade moon reflecting on the peaceful lake every mid-autumn festival. Not only rich in aquatic resources and high quality waters, the lake is a beautiful scenic, mother lake in the Bai ethnic group. Winter spectacle of sea gull on the lake adds more delights for lake circumnavigation.

Making a circuit along the 30km coastline whether by bike, motorcycle or car, and taking a boat is the best way to enjoy the immaculate crystal gem lying in mountain groups, experience the fantastic serenity in the poetic painting. On northeast coat, Shuanglang Town, site of Nanzhao Culture Island (one of the three islands of Erhai Lake), is one best charming site surrounded by hills on three sides, Chicken Foot Mountain to the east and Little Putuo Mountain to south. In southeast coast, the Erhai Park consisting of pavilion, swimming pool, botanic garden, zoo and amusement park is a perfect viewing point of Cang Mountain and Erhai Lake and summer resort with moderate water temperature, even suitable for winter swimming. Clockwise tour to the Dali Ancient City in west, a historical essence with lots of ancient gate towers, academies, temples and ruins, streets, Chongsheng Temple and Three Pagodas, also called Three Pagodas of Dali, is one important China's pagoda built in Tang Dynasty. Further 17km tour arrives to the northwestern Bai Nationality Residences of Xizhou, a characteristic architecture complex and construction heritage in China. Check more about Erhai Lake.

Dali is well located on the west tourist route of Yunnan as the middle stop of Kunming - Dali - Lijiang - Shangri-La line. It is about 260 kilometers from Kunming and 140 kilometers from Lijiang. "Romantic" and "Beautiful" are the common words to describe Dali. Silver Cangshan Mountain and Jade Erhai Lake are famous in Dali that travelers should never miss them during your Dali trip. Located between the magnificent Cangshan Mountain and elegant Erhai Lake are Dali Old Town, Three Pagodas, Xizhou Ancient Town, Zhoucheng, etc. All of the attractions will give you historical and cultural feast. Check more about Top Dali Attractions.

Notice: To protect environment around the Erhai Lake, personal feeding to sea gulls is highly not advised.

Yamdrok Lake (羊卓雍措) - jasper lake and upper coral lake in Tibetan language is one the three most holy lakes in Tibet with Namtso Lake and Manasarovar Lake. Elevated at 4,441m (14570ft) above sea level, it is a dark jade eardrop lying in the arm of giant mountains and a jade belt decorated with alpine snow land, and location of the largest hydropower station and the highest pumped-storage hydroelectricity in Tibet. Making a circular pilgrimage around Yamdrok Lake equals to one time in Lhasa, which will harvest bless from Buddha for a whole year, local Tibetan believe that. Based on the sacredness, the lake is also the biggest paradise for various kinds of wild birds resting on 21 small islands.

About 70 km to northeast Lhasa, Yamdrok Lake is the largest inland lake in Himalaya Mountains, the top beautiful lake in southern Tibet regions. Climb across the Gangbara Pass (5,030m/16503ft), the beautiful irregular sapphire appears and spread its body to 70 times of West Lake in Hangzhou. Longer drive from the pass to lakeside needs nearly 30 mins and then tourist can feast eyes and minds on the marvelous beauty of Yamdrok Lake along the road. In-depth tour of Yamdrok Lake includes visiting couples of small island, Seduo Island, Mother Deer & Deer Island and Bird Island. Noijin Kangsang Peak, a traditional holy mountain (7,206m/23,642ft) of La-track Kangri Hill (a natural separate stretch between Yamdrok Lake and Yarlung Zangbo River) lies in the western region. Join our Tibet tour starting from Lhasa to Gyantse, Shigatse or Mount Everest must be the most recommended way to enjoy Yamdrok Lake when passing by.

Tibet, the Roof of the World, has a magic attractive force for travelers for hundreds of years. Many people take Tibet trip as a Must Journey that must be taken at least once in a lifetime. The awe-inspiring plateau landscape, the overwhelming devoted religion, the welcoming and friendly Tibetan people, the long-standing customs and tradition... Tibet proudly dominates the highest peak in the world - Mount Everest which attracts thousands of tourists to explore each year. Tibet Buddhism is the second feature. Lhasa, Shigatse and Gyantse are the most popular places to visit brilliant Buddhist monasteries and palaces. Pure holy lake is the third feature of Tibet. And Tibet offers far more than these, come to discover further!

Naturally formed by the erupting volcano long time ago, Tianchi Lake (天池) on Changbai Mountain, or Changbai Mountain Pool in the Sky is the largest and highest volcanic lake in China and the world's deepest highland lake. The oval Tianchi Lake seems a magnificent jasper studded in the grand peaks in Changbai Mountain. It is still the natural lake border between China and North Korea, where can watch the other side peak in the neighbor.

All around stands towering mountains in great numbers, the crystal aquamarine lake is the headstream of the three major rivers in northeastern China, Songhua River, Tumen River and Yalu River. Embraced by 16 peaks in surroundings with one outlet of Changbai Waterfall, the serene clear Tianchi Lake already becomes a mystery-land where monster appears sometimes and drags horses into deep lake. Tourists can get to the lake located on top of the dormant volcano on Changbai Mountain from north, west and south slopes, consequently different scenery will get from various viewing directions. Midsummer is the best season to visit Tianchi Lake when the melting water emerges much blue than sky, clouds and fog are the least, higher chance to reveal its true face. Cold winter days will turn the lake into a completely white mirror covered with thick ice and snow. Jiangjun Peak (2749m) lying in North Korea is the highest peak encircling Tianchi Lake, and in west side, White Cloud Peak (2691m) is the highest peak in northeastern China, Tianwen Peak (2670m) enjoys a good viewing sight of this miraculous blue jewel.

Jilin is one of the birthplaces of the Manchu ethnic group in China, which surrounded by the Songhua River deduces different customs in four seasons, and winter is its highlighting time. Jilin is rich in snow resources. The most popular scenic spots are Jilin Wusong Island, Beidahu Ski Resort, and Songhua Lake Ski Resort in the suburban area of Jilin. It is a good choice to extend your trip to Harbin, the Ice City of China, where you can immerse yourself into the annual Harbin Ice and Snow Festival with numerous innovative snow sculptures and feel the charm of snow in the paradise-like world in No.1 Snow Town in China - China Snow Town, etc.

As the highest lake in Yunnan Province and the third deepest freshwater lake in China where mainly lives Mosuo, Yi ethnic groups, Lugu Lake (泸沽湖) originally named as the lake in the valley, for in Mosuo langue of Naxi nationality, Lu means valley, Gu refers to inside. Located in southwest Sichuan and southeast Qinghai Tibet Plateau, the fascinating Lugu Lake is the best hub for Shangri-La travel circuit, made up of 5 islands in the lake, 4 byland and 1 long island on lakeshore, all in different shapes. American scholar once described Lugu Lake a wonderful living place for immortals.

The northern Lege Peninsula embraced by Gemu Goddess Mountain (3770m - the highest peak around Lugu Lake) is the most famous and gorgeous spot. When summer comes, boating in the southeastern Caohai Lake (Grass Sea), a fairyland with of flora and fauna in an area of 10sq km definitely make sure you escape from the bustles. Later autumn is the best season of photographing Lugu Lake when trees on shore all dressed in various colors, flowers bloom into idyllic painting. During winter, lots of rare birds, like swan, black-necked crane and etc usually migrant here to survive, making it the best time to watch waterfowls. Tourists interested in local culture can pay a visit to the Mosuo Museum – the only theme museum systematically exhibiting Mosuo history, culture and folk customs. More pretty natural spots including Bay of Goddess - a peaceful harbor honored as eastern Hawaii, Dazuhu Bay at foothill of Goddess Mountain, Lover Beach, Daluoshui Village with old ethnic buildings.

Traveling to Yunnan is a dream to many travelers. In this ethnic kingdom, travelers can explore in Lijiang - a Naxi minority city which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997; Shangri-La, an ethic Tibetan township with Lost Horizon scenery; Dali - Bai ethnic group inhabited as well as a historic center of the Nanzhao and Dali Kingdoms; Yuanyang, a Hani minority settlement with vast rice-terraced mountains; Kunming - the capital of Yunnan also being the gateway to Stone Forest and Dongchuan Red Land...

Formed as a reservoir of the Xinanjiang Hydropower Station - China's first large-scale self-designed and constructed hydro power station, Qiandao Lake (千岛湖) is a National AAAAA scenic area and the famous lake with the most islands in the world. Qiandao Lake is praised the Most Clean Water in the World for the its high quality of national first class level, which can be drunk directly. The impoundage of Qiandao Lake is 17.84 billion cubic meters, 3000 times that of West Lake.

Beauty of Qiandao Lake lies in the fascinating green and purity. Natural color transition between each island makes up a harmony of various green in the beautiful lake. More surprisingly, waters in Qiandao Lake shows different color in different season and weather, green with yellow in Spring, emerald green in Summer, crystal like in Autumn and turns into dark jade in Winter, and seems wear a white gauze in foggy days. Divided into five regions (the southeast, southwest, northeast, northwest and middle), Qiandao Lake looks like a phoenix spreading wings from bird's view. Central and southeast lake districts are the two main scenic areas. In central lake area, there are many major scenic spots, the Meifengguan Island in Zhuangyuan Byland is the best viewing site of the over 300 islands around. In southeast lake area, Huangshan Peak gets the best view of the Chinese character (公) made up of lots of green islands. Club Med Joyview Thousand Island with upscale accommodation is a nice idea for a wonderful weekend in Qiandao Lake.

For those who want a classic Jiangnan city tour, you are recommended to visit Qiandao Lake with popular surrounding cities such as Hangzhou, Shanghai and Suzhou. Many people are familiar with Shanghai, The Bund, Oriental Pearl Tower, Yu Garden, Zhujiajiao Ancient Town, etc. are very popular among tourists. As the most famous backyards of Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou are popular for their traditional elite culture and exquisite attractions. In Suzhou, Zhouzhuang Water Town, Humble Administrator's Garden, Lingering Garden, etc. are definitely must-go places for you. As for Hangzhou, West Lake, Lingyin Temple, Longjing Tea Plantations, etc. should always be on your visit list.

Notice: Tours can only visit one scenic area within Qiandao Lake, next day tour need extra service charges excluded in the ticket fees.