Erhai Lake is the second largest lake in Yunnan Province, with the Dianchi Lake ranking the first. It begins in the north from Jiangwei Village of Eryuan County to Xiaguan of Dali in the south, and is as long as 41.5 kilometers from the north to south. It covers an area of about 251 square kilometers, with an altitude of 1,972 meters. From a bird's eye view, you will find Erhai Lake is just like a crescent lying quietly between Cangshan Mountain and the Basin of Dali. The Chinese gave it the name of Erhai Lake because its shape resembles a human ear.
On the southe end of Erhai Lake lies Tuanshan Mountain, which is home to Erhai Park, an ideal place to soak in the scenery and natural beauty of the lake and mountains. Enter into the park from the small dock and climb the mountain along the stone steps. At the top of the mountain you will see the Sea Watching Pavilion with flying eaves. Stroll in this pavilion and feast your eyes on the scenery of Erhai Lake and Cangshan Mountain.
Between Erhai Lake and Cangshan Mountain lies a flat alluvial basin which contains fertile farmlands and many villages, as well as the Chongsheng Temple and Three Pagodas. This area has eaed the appropriate nickname "Scenic Gallery", since beautiful scenic views, key points of interests and colorful folk-customs abound.
Erhai Lake lies on a fault line and was formed by the shifting in tectonic plates, in tu altering the earth's crust. All in all, the lake is home to 3 islands, 4 islets, 5 lakes and 8 bendings. The water is so clear you can see the bottom. Because of its astonishing transparency, Erhai Lake has been called the "flawless and beautiful jade lying among mountains", even in ancient times. It is said that on the sea bed there grows a very big jade cabbage, and in fact the clear water is the jade liquid flowing from the heart of the cabbage.
