The highest lake in Yunnan: Bita Lake
By admin on 2014-12-23

As the highest lake in Yunnan Province, Bita Lake lies in the east of Shangri-La County of Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, and is over 3500 meters (about 3828 yards) above sea level. Covering an area of about 159 hectares (around 393 acres) with an average depth of 20 meters (about 22 yards), Bita Lake is famous for its limpid water and its beautiful scenery which is set against the mountains and forests surrounding it.

Bita Lake is widely recognized as 'A Pearl on the Plateau' and the most attractive lake in Shangri-La. Legend has it that a goddess dropped her mirror carelessly to the earth when she was making up. The mirror was broken into pieces and they became lakes on the plateau. Among these pieces, the most beautiful piece with green jade turned into today's Bita Lake.

In the center of the lake stands an islet shaped like a boat sailing in the lake. The islet is 30 meters (about 33 yards) above the water level, and is covered with rare plants and also includes spruces and rhododendrons. Here, birds twitter happily and flowers release their pleasant fragrances. When stepping on the islet, one feels as if they are arriving at Xanadu, and tourists have frequently remarked about how they have felt intoxicated by the aura, beauty and tranquility.