“Thousand Island Lake in Shaanxi” is a nickname. It hints at the beauty awaiting us at Yinghu Lake.
Yinghu Lake is a national AAAA tourist area. It sits 16 kilometers southwest of Ankang City, Shaanxi Province. This lake isn’t just any body of water. It’s the largest freshwater lake in China’s five northwest provinces.
Imagine the scale of Yinghu Lake. Its total area spans 102.8 square kilometers. The water itself covers 77 square kilometers. The lake’s perimeter stretches an incredible 540 kilometers. It holds 2.6 billion cubic meters of water. The average depth exceeds 100 meters.
The scenery around Yinghu Lake is breathtaking. Clear water reflects the blue sky. It mirrors the Qinba Mountains like a fairyland. The water quality is excellent. Many species thrive here because of the mild climate and numerous islands.
In January 2014, the Ankang Yinghu Lake ecological environmental protection project earned recognition. The Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Ministry of Finance listed it. It became one of China’s first 15 key lake ecological environmental protection projects.
Yinghu Lake plays a vital role. It is an important water source for the Middle Route Project of South-to-North Water Diversion. In September 2012, the municipal government decided to create the Ankang Yinghu Lake eco-tourism area.
This area manages all scenic spots within Yinghu Town, Jihe Town, and Liushui Town. Xiangxidong Scenic Area, under Hanbin District’s jurisdiction, is also included. The focus is on the core scenic spots of Yinghu, Jihe, Liushui, and Xiangxi Cave. An investment of 3 billion yuan has been planned. This will make Yinghu a national tourist destination.
What can you see at Yinghu Lake? The main attractions include a super-large cable-stayed bridge and a power station hub project. Tianzhu Mountain and Baiyun Temple offer spiritual retreats. Yuxing Island and Guanping Island provide scenic views. The Niulang Zhinv stone adds a touch of legend. Han Dynasty tombs whisper tales of the past.
Driving around, the hydropower station dam first catches your eye. Located in the huoshiyan gorge, it’s an impressive sight. The dam has a crest length of 541.5 meters. Its height reaches 128 meters. This earns it the title of “the first dam in Shaanxi”. It stands solid and grand. When the floodgates open, the waterfall is suspended high. It sprays beads and splashes jade creating thunderous sounds.
Beside the dam sits Baiyun Temple in Tianzhu Mountain. It’s a renowned Buddhist resort. Not far away, the super-large steel cable-stayed bridge showcases modern engineering.
Yinghu Lake is vast and beautiful. The lake is full of waves. Islands dot the water. When you look at the lake in the morning, you can see the red sun. At noon, fish sails and egrets fill the scene. At night, thousands of lights twinkle like stars. The stars and moon reflect on the water creating a scene like Dongting Lake. Islands like Jinluo, Cuiping, and Yuxing feature pavilions, platforms, and halls. Zoos, fishing spots, and aquatic sports grounds dot the landscape.
Yinghu is a gathering place for literati. They come to recite poems and create art. Ankang poet Yang Liyuan praised Yinghu Lake in his verses.
Yinghu is rich in resources. The lake is home to 113 species of fish with great value. The expensive, crystal-clear silver fish is abundant. The lakeside tea, “Ankang Yinfeng” Maojian tea, boasts high quality and true flavor. Citrus fruits also grow abundantly here.
Come visit Yinghu Lake. Experience the beauty and wonder for yourself. You will find that the charm will attract you like an ant to honey year after year.