Dianchi Lake ( Dianchi ) , known also as Kunming lake is a large inter-land lake, located at the foot of the Western Hills southwest of Kunming city in Yunnan Province, China. Its nickname is "Sparkling Pearl Imbedded in a Highland". Unfortunately, the lake has been badly polluted. Although efforts have been made to save the lake, they have been largely unsuccessful. The lake is a freshwater fault lake at an altitude of 1,886.5 m above sea level. It covers 298 sq. km (186 sq. miles). The lake is crescent-shaped, about 39 kilometers (24 miles) in length from north to south, 13 kilometers (8 miles) in width at its widest, and the average depth is 4.4 m. It is the sixth largest lake in China and the largest in Yunnan Province. The rising waves and the fishing boats, and the reflection on the water of the surrounding mountains combine to produce an intoxicating landscape. Various scenic spots look like grains of pearls inlaid on the 150 kilometer-long periphery of the lake, earning it the prestige as a "Crystal Pearl" in the plateau.

ID：107012-01101 Dianchi Lake and Longmen of Xishan Hill   Picture Sources：ccnpic.com Ma Jinghua

Its natural banks are formed by mountains on all four sides. More than twenty rivers nurture the lake. Four surrounding hills contribute to the picturesque landscape. It has a number of attractions along the lake. Among these are the Yunnan Ethnic Villages, Xishan Forest Park, Daguan Park, Haigeng Bank, Baiyukou Park, Kwan-yin Hill, temples and pagodas. Towns, big or small near the lake provide visitors with an opportunity to experience customs of the local people. Making visitors intoxicated and linger around. Its shores are strewn with scenic spots and places of folklores. You may appreciate the beauty of the lake and hills from a boat, and explore this cradle of Yunnan culture.

The picturesque lake, dotted with sails, appears green and boundless and shining with ripples. Along its 150 kilometers long winding bank, lies numerous scenic spots and historical sites such as the Grand View Pavilion, West Garden, the Lake Embankment. Sailing on the lake, with the boat swaying gently on a vast expanse of liquid silver, proves to be a most enchanting experience. At night, the moon casts a gauzy veil over the lake, and the silence of the scene is broken only by the soughing of a refreshing breeze.

ID：0023-1644 Dianchi Lake   Picture Sources：ccnpic.com

ID：023-0623 Dianchi Lake   Picture Sources：ccnpic.com

The Grand View Pavilion: Located at the lake's northern bank, it was built in the 29th year of Kangxi Reign in the Qing Dynasty. It's an exquisite structure with upturned roof-corners and eaves. Looking to the south, one has a fascinating view of the spectacular Dianchi Lake, and the graceful and full shape of the distant "Sleeping Beauty Mountain" shrouded in white clouds. The lake is surrounded by lush growth of trees and plants, with peony in full bloom in spring, and chrysanthemum blossoms found all over the place in autumn. The golden calligraphy of the Grand View Pavilion in bold Chinese characters sparkles brilliantly. 

Western Hills Scenic Area:- Located at the west bank of the lake, it's a large forest park with hills and ridges rising one upon another, and covered with old tall trees. The park is endowed with dense natural forests, murmuring streams, luxuriantly green bamboos, and crisscross with ancient paths. Scenic spots and historical sites are over hill and dale. The area from Sanqing Tower to Longmen is a place of concentration of the most spectacular scenic spots and architecture, and therefore reputed as "No.1 Scenery in middle Yunnan". 

ID：023-1631 Dianchi Lake   Picture Sources：ccnpic.com

Hill of Goddess of Mercy:- The temple of Goddess of Mercy perches on the Hill at the lake's west bank, with a beak-shaped portion of the hill extending into the lake water. The temple is confronted by perilous cliffs covered with lush woods. A seven-storey brick pagoda stands on the hill top which commands a bird's eye view of the Dianchi Lake, the mountain ranges along the Lake, the vast expanse of fertile land, and the smoke belching from the chimneys of fishermen's homes.

Yunnan Ethnic Villages
The village acts as a good shortcut to understand the social customs of the ethnic groups in Yunnan. It has a natural sun-bathing area where you can escape from the heat of summer. Twenty-five ethnic nationalities have their respective villages and conduct many activities to present their unique folkways and beautiful clothes. Also you can enjoy the water screen movie and an elephant performance, have a taste of the local dishes and buy pretty handicrafts.

Kwan-yin Hill
Kwan-yin Hill is bordered by the vast lake and has an altitude of 2,040 meters (6,693 feet). Lofty peaks on this hill seem to thrust themselves straight towards the sky. A Kwan-yin Temple built here in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) was once a popular resort of Buddhism. Remaining are a seven-tier brick pagoda, houses, and a gate to the Kwan-yin Temple.

Daguan Park ( The Grand View Park)
Known for its longest antithetical couplet in China, the Grand View Park, also called Daguan Park, is found within a walking distance from the Western Hills, It was built in the year 1828. It is famous for the longest couplets in China on the Daguan Pavilion. It commands a lovely view. The couplet written in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), contains 180 characters brimming with literary grace. During festival evenings, gatherings take place here.

Daguan Park is vibrant with rock gardens, pavilions, bridges and murmuring water. It is a beach garden possessing both the natural landscape and elegance of an ancient garden. The entire park is dotted with green embankments, graceful pavilions, and colorful flowers in four seasons.

Haigeng Bank
Haigeng Bank is about four kilometers (2.5 miles) long while ranging in width from forty meters (131 feet) to three hundred meters (984 feet). The bank, like a floating jade belt, is in fact a watershed of the Dianchi Lake. Slender willow twigs sweep the lake in the gentle breeze. In the south is a wonderful natural swimming pool which is always crammed with people in midsummer.

Baiyukou Park
Baiyukou Park is on the west bank of Dianchi Lake. Here a small hill looks like a white fish opening its mouth to Dianchi Lake. Near the Irregular shore line, beautiful gardens are hidden among green trees. In spring, the cherry trees are in blossom, adding luster to this serene place. Overlooking Dianchi Lake, you can see white sails of boats on the glistening lake and gulls skimming over the waves. (CCNPIC David·Celine)