Erhai Lake

Erhai Lake is the biggest lake in Yunnan, situated at an altitude of 1,972 meters above sea level in the east of Dali.

It is 42 kilometers from north to south and 3 to 9 kilometers from east to west, covering an area of 250 square kilometers.

The lake is in the shape of a human ear. The lake water is crystal clear. Erhai and Cangshan enhance each other's beauty.

Wind rising, waves are whipped up breaking upon the shores; at night, the silvery moon sparkles on the rippling lake. It measures 40 kilometers north to south, and 7 to 8 kilometers east to west on average.

The lakeshore can be explored by hiking. Highlights include Erhai Lake Park and the Butterfly Springs on the Western bank. Islands on the lake – including Guanyin Ge, Jinsuo Island ("Golden Shuttle Island"), Nanzhao Fengqing Island and Xiaoputuo Island – are also available for visits.

The lake is an important food source for the local people (Bais), who are famous for their fishing method: their trained cormorants catch fish and return them to fishmongers. The birds are prevented from swallowing their fish by rings fixed around their neck.

Erhai also holds a high diversity of typical carps (Cyprinus), with for example the endemic species (C. barbatus, C. daliensis and the Spring Fish C. longipectoralis) being found here.

The vast blue lake is filled with crystal-clear waters and dotted with numerous white sails. When the wind rises, waves are whipped up breaking upon the shores. At night, the silvery moon sparkles on the rippling lake.