Wolong Lake
Wolong Lake is located one kilometre west of downtown Kangping, the northernmost county of Shenyang, right on the southern edge of the Horqin Grassland known as the Eight-Hundred-Li Sea of Sand.
The whole area covers 112 square kilometres, including 64 square kilometres of water surface and 48 square kilometres of tidal flats. The total shoreline stretches 38 kilometres. Its regular water storage capacity reaches 70 million cubic metres with an average water depth of 1.2 metres. It is the largest plain freshwater lake across the three northeastern provinces.
Today Wolong Lake has become a well-known scenic spot in Kangping County, Shenyang and even the whole of Liaoning Province. Its outstanding ecological environment and natural water resources are the main attractions for tourists.
I. Natural Tourist Resources
(1) Rich Biological Species Resources
Favourable climate and superior natural conditions nurture abundant species within Wolong Lake Nature Reserve.
With vast waters and dense vegetation, the lake serves as a natural biological gene bank, laying a solid foundation for eco-tourism and popular science education.
Up to now, 817 species have been recorded in the reserve, including 183 vascular plants, 154 phytoplankton, 38 zooplankton, 36 fish species, 10 amphibians, 16 reptiles, 140 birds, 25 mammals and 215 insects.
Such diverse wildlife endows the lake with incomparable sightseeing value unmatched by ordinary scenic areas.
(2) Misty Water Landscape
As the largest plain freshwater lake in Liaoning, Wolong Lake boasts abundant water resources. The wide water surface regulates the local microclimate, bringing milder winters and cooler summers compared with other regions at the same latitude.
In the high-water season, the lake merges with the sky amid boundless mist and rippling blue waves. Flocks of waterfowl dwell among thick reeds. The expansive waters with flying birds and jumping fish form a rare picturesque scene in semi-arid and semi-humid zones.
(3) Diverse Wetland Plant Communities
The lake features eight major types of plant communities: submerged vegetation, floating vegetation, rooted floating-leaved plants, emergent plants, wetland shrubs, wet meadows, meadow steppe and shrubbery.
- Early spring: Plants sprout and hundreds of flowers bloom. Fragrance fills the air, making it an ideal destination for spring outings.
- Midsummer: Green grasslands roll in the breeze. Paths wind deep into the wilderness amid singing birds and dancing butterflies, a perfect retreat to beat the heat.
- Golden autumn: The grasslands turn golden with the joy of harvest, just like an oil painting that calms the mind and makes visitors linger.
- Harsh winter: The whole land is wrapped in snow with beautiful rime. Animal footprints scatter across the wilderness. The northern ice scenery unfolds like a traditional Chinese landscape scroll full of wild charm.
(4) Fantastic Wetland Bird Scenery
Vast waters and lush water plants create a paradise for birds to fly and sing freely.
Every spring, migratory birds build hidden nests among reeds to breed, filling the wetland with vitality.
In summer, wildflowers blossom everywhere under blue skies, green grass and clear water. Cranes, orioles and swallows dance freely, just like a land of idyllic beauty.
With abundant aquatic plants, Wolong Lake has become an important habitat and migratory stopover for wild birds. Swaying reeds and cattails provide safe shelters for waterfowl.
Major bird species include white cranes, white-naped cranes, hooded cranes, red-crowned cranes, whooper swans, grey herons, purple herons, gulls, geese and ducks.
Flocks of colourful water birds play on the lake: they dance, dive and curiously make eye contact with tourists.
Under the sunshine, whooper swans display pure white plumage and elegant curved necks while swimming.
Great crested grebes shuttle up and down underwater like little diving princes.
Black-winged stilts, nicknamed “red-legged maidens”, walk gracefully with slim figures.
Varied geese and ducks splash across the water just like racing boats.
At sunset, the lake presents the poetic scene described in ancient verses: Autumn water merges with the sky; a solitary wild goose flies alongside the sunset clouds.
Egrets in pure white feathers look like fairies descending to the mortal world.
Gulls dart up and down, skimming the water to catch small fish, fascinating every visitor.
(5) Rime and Northern Ice-Snow Scenery
Thanks to stable water supply, rime frequently appears around Wolong Lake.
When the temperature drops below zero before snowfall, water vapour condenses into tiny frost crystals on tree branches and grass blades. Everything is covered with silvery crystal frost, forming a magnificent rime landscape that turns the wetland into a pure silver wonderland.
The lake also boasts unique winter ice scenery. Winters here are long and bitterly cold with heavy goose-feather snow. The snow layer reaches roughly 20 centimetres deep: clean, compact and jade-like. Trees are covered in snow, forming beautiful ice-covered branches.
It is an excellent natural venue for ice and snow activities. Animal footprints left on the snow bring visitors close to primitive wild nature.
II. Cultural and Historical Landscapes
The surrounding area of Wolong Lake is rich in cultural relics.
By the wharf stand stone tablets erected by local villagers to worship the water god and pray for favourable weather.
In addition, scenic historic sites spread all around the lake:
- East of the lake: Bronze Age relics at Pearl Mountain and Haiyin Zen Temple;
- West of the lake: the Mausoleum of Prince Narsu of the Qing Dynasty;
- South of the lake: groups of Han Dynasty tombs on Longbei Mountain;
- North of the lake: the ruins of Yuanzhou City dating back to the Liao and Jin dynasties.
III. Tour Programmes
Diversified tourist activities are developed based on local attractions, dominated by natural landscape sightseeing.
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Popular Science Tourism
Visitors may explore specimen exhibition halls, watch environmental documentaries and join field investigations of wetland wildlife. By studying natural resources, tourists can acquire scientific knowledge and raise awareness of ecological protection.
This programme mainly targets primary and secondary school students.
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Birdwatching Tours
Birds are lively, highly ornamental tourist resources favoured by most travellers. The nature reserve is home to many precious bird species.
Hidden viewing facilities are built to keep a proper distance from wild birds without disturbing their feeding and resting.
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Leisure Tours
Far away from urban noise, the reserve is perfect for relaxation. Tourists can stroll along the lakeshore and enjoy sunrise and sunset over the water to achieve physical and mental peace.
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Recreation and Water Sports
Activities include boating, angling, water play and other aquatic entertainments.
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Farm and Fishing Village Experiences
Homestays around the reserve offer authentic rural and fishing village experiences for tourists
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