Water Landform

Erhai

Erhai

        Dali Mt.CangshanUNESCO Global Geopark is characterized by its special geographic location, complex landform and well-developed river system. There are many waterscapes such as streams, waterfalls and lakes with an extremely high ornamental value. As the second largest freshwater lake in Yunnan Province, Erhai Lake stands out among them all. Miju River (the largest river flowing into Erhai Lake) which originates from Cibi Lake and the Eighteen Streams located on the eastern slope of Cangshan Mountain provide the main water supply for Erhai Lake, while Xi’er River is Erhai Lake's only outlet. All streams on the western side of Cangshan Mountain directly flow into Heihui River.

        1 Erhai Lake

        Located in the east of the Geopark, Erhai Lake originates from Cibi Lake in Eryuan County and the source stems from Bagu Mountain. The lake receives water from Miju River in the north, Boluo River in the southeast and Eighteen Streams of Cangshan Mountain in the west. Erhai Lake is about 42.58 kilometers in length with a maximum width of 9.0 kilometers from the east to the west, and covers an area of 256.5 square kilometers. As the second largest freshwater lake in Yunnan Province and a major water source, Erhai Lake has a storage capacity of 3 billion cubic meters and enjoys a reputation of "Plateau Pearl".

      Erhai is a typical down-faulted lake formed in the late glacial period due to subsidence and erosion. On the east shore, exposed bed rocks and rock islands cropping out of the water surface suggest a landform of coastal erosion featuring rock islands and lakeside wetlands. In the south, the shore reaches as far as Xiguan Town, the capital of Dali City. The piedmont of Cangshan Mountain, an alluvial terrace, lies against the west shore which is edged by a narrow lakeside plain; and the Miju River Delta Plain is seated to the north end of the lake.

Erhai Lake is endowed with a mild and humid climate, beautiful sceneries and pleasant landscapes. The ancients summarize all the scenic spots of the Lake into "Three Islands, Four Eyots, Five Lakes and Nine Bays".

Ximatan Erosion Lake

Shuanglongtan Erosion Lake

Jinsuo Island Luoquan Peninsula

Erhai Wetland

Nanzhao Customs Island

Luoquan Peninsula

Xiaoputuo Island

         2、Butterfly Spring

        Butterfly Springs lies at the bottom of Yunnongfeng Peak, covering an area of about 50 square meters. The spring water is clear like a mirror, and has different sceneries in different seasons. The ancient trees beside the spring grow like a giant cover. Every spring and summer, innumerable butterflies will gather around the spring and dance in the sky. That’s the origin of the name “Butterfly Spring.” Sometimes butterflies will join together in a line and hang on the tree till touching the spring water, creating a peculiar and spectacular scenery. Butterfly Spring has been a famous scenic spot from ancient times. In 1639, Xu Xiake, the great traveler of the Ming dynasty, came to visit Butterfly Spring, describing it as—“…thousands of butterflies link with each other in a straight line hanging from the tree to the water surface, looking like colorful profusion. Visitors all come to enjoy…” In 1961, GuoMoruo came to Dali and wrote its name, “蝴蝶泉（”Butterfly Spring” in English）”, which was then carved on the stone memorial archway beside the spring.

Butterfly Spring

         3、Qilongnv Ponds (Seven Dragon Fairies Ponds)

        Located between Malong Peak and Yuju Peak of Mount Cangshan, Qilongnv Ponds were said to be the place where seven daughters of Erhai Lake dragon king had a bath and leisure. Each summer, they would secretly came for bath when the night falls with bright moon, and went back until daybreak. The eldest daughter was tall and in the largest pond. The other six fairies were respectively in the rest ponds in their ages. The youngest was so shy to be bathed under moonlight that she was in the deepest and quietest pond. When having a bath, the clouds like jade belt would rise and were said to be their waistbands. Qilongnv ponds demonstrate wonderful waterfalls of Mount Cangshan.

Qilongnv Ponds

Waterfall

  Jiciba Meander

Xiaohuadianba Meander