Baofeng Lake, Zhangjiajie
Located in Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan Scenic Area, Baofeng Scenic Park Lake plays an important role in Zhangjiajie as a World Natural Heritage Site, a World Geopark, and a unique alpine lake.
The main part of this park is obviously the Baofeng Lake, which is 2.5 kilometers long, 200-1000 meters wide and 72 meters deep on average. Baofeng Lake is between high mountains and receives natural water streams without pollution. Therefore, the water is clean in Baofeng Lake. Around the lake, there are a number of sandstone peaks in various shapes surrounding. This is currently the only water-based tourist attraction in Wulingyuan Scenic Area.
To complete your Zhangjiajie tour, expecially a Zhangjiajie family tour, Baofeng Lake shouldn’t be missed.
Baofeng Lake is a masterpiece of landscape created by nature and manpower together. In the 1970s, local villagers built a dam to generate electricity, unwittingly creating a beautiful lake, which was later named after Baofeng Mountain. It is a rare high alpine lake, surrounded by green mountains, making a masterpiece of landscape scenery. It has become a representative of Wulingyuan's waterscape with its beautiful lake scenery and two small islands in the lake.
Baofeng Lake Park Facts
How It was Formed
The formation of Baofeng Lake is a combination of natural forces and time. Eighty million years ago, the crust in the Wulingyuan area of Zhangjiajie subsided and seawater seeped in, turning it into a vast ocean. After billions of years of erosion, cutting and joint development by flowing water, a natural landscape of thousands of towering peaks was formed, providing a natural foundation for the construction of Baofeng Lake.
Of course, as mentioned earlier, Baofeng Lake is not completely natural. Rather, it is an artificial lake built by local people between the high mountains and gorges and utilizing the natural terrain to store water.
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Top Things to Do in Baofeng Lake Scnice Area
Baofeng Lake Boat Cruise
Taking a Baofeng Lake boat ride here, you are also able to see many beautiful scenes such as "Jade Bottle Blossom", "Ten Women Dressing", "Golden Turtle Playing in the Water", "Frogs in spring". While enjoying the natural scenery on Baofeng lake cruise, you will also be entertained by the singing of local minority people. In traditional way young people express love by singing love songs. Compete with the singers and see who is going to win making your Zhangjiajie trip more of fun.
Traditional Village Exploration
Besides the boat ride on Baofeng Lake, the Yingwozhai village is also well known by the local people, as another main part of Baofeng Park. After entering the park, walk up hundreds of stone steps westward, and the Baofeng ancient temple is at the end of the road where once home to bandits as Yingwozhai village. Burn a bundle of incense and make a best wish, also imagine how difficult the bandits went back their place after rubbing the villages outside. How nice is a Zhangjiajie tour like this.
Festivals
In the middle of the third lunar month every year, Baofeng Lake welcomes an important festival of the Tujia ethnic group - the "Mountain Song Festival". This is an important day for local young men and women to express their love by singing mountain songs in duets.
Every Mid-Autumn Festival, on the night of the 15th day of the eighth lunar month when the moon is full, the "Golden Toad Holding the Moon" at Baofeng Lake will appear. Only the local people and the employees of Baofeng Lake know about it.
From May 14th to 18th, 2009, Zhangjiajie International Country Music Week was grandly staged at Baofeng Lake. Famous domestic singers such as Song Zuying, Zhang Yuya, Tang Can, Luhrs (Bonfire) Band from Australia, Youth Orchestra from Morocco, Lucy Orchestra from the United States, and Black Drun (Black Drum) Band from South Korea and so on joined in this event.
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The most wonderful sights in Baofeng Lake Park
The Baofeng Park consists of many scenic sites. Among them, Baofeng Lake, Baofeng Waterfall, Yingwozhai Village, and One-Line Sky Valley are known as the "Four Wonders".
Baofeng Lake
Baofeng Lake is 72 meters deep and 2.5 meters long. With its beautiful lake and the secluded and idyllic charm of a cave, it is the best example of the water landscape in Zhangajijie. The exterior scenes of the Water Curtain Cave on Flower and Fruit Mountain in the TV series "Journey to the West" were shot at "strange peaks and Waterfalls". The Korean drama "Nine and a Half Days" was also filmed here.
The lake attraction lies the halfway up the hill, and is possible to travel by boat ride. When on the Baofeng lake cruise, the tourists always find clear water, forested stone peaks and fresh air surrounding them. The instructor of the boat explains the local customs and lake attractions while the boat is sailing. Tourists will also listen to local people singing folk songs on the lakeside.
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Baofeng Waterfall
Bright and colorful, full of vitality, the waterfall is known as the “Eye of Baofeng Lake”. The waterfall rushes out from the cliffs, roaring a clamor sound, the magnificent scenery amazes all the tourists.
One-Line Sky Valley
This is peculiar scenery. The One-Line Sky Valley is more than 200 meters long and 100 meters high, but the average width is less than 2 meters. Look up from the valley, the tourists will find the sky becoming a single line.
Yingwozhai Village
After passing the Yixiantian Valley, the tourists will reach the Yingwo Stockade Village. The entrance is the ancient gate crenellation, and the deeper is the Baofeng Temple. The village and temple is embraced by the deep and serene forest, here will be the best place for tourists to rest and relax.
What is the Best Time to Visit Baofeng Lake in Zhangjiajie?
The best time for a Zhangjiajie tour including Baofeng Lake is from April to November, because the weather is more suitable for hiking and aquatic activities. Try to avoid Chinese national holidays (such as May 1st to 3rd, October 1st to 7th and Spring Festival according lunar calendar) for there might be too many tourists.
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How to get to the Baofeng Lake Park?
From Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport: 1. Firstly take taxi or public bus No.4 to Zhangjiajie Centre Bus Station, and then take the tourists bus to Wulingyuan station. Continue to take taxi to Baofeng Lake. 2. Take taxi to Baofeng Lake directly. 3. The most convenient and recommended way from airport to the park is taking the private vehicle service of Easy Tour China. Please book the service at least one day in advance.
From Zhangjiajie Bus Station: take the tourists bus to Wulingyuan station, and then continue to take taxi to Baofeng Lake.
From Zhangjiajie Rail Station: from the exit of the rail station, walk to Zhangjiajie Centre Bus Station which is about 100m away. Take the tourists bus to Wulingyuan station and then taxi to Baofeng Lake.
Travel Tips
- Food: The catering in the scenic area is relatively expensive. It is recommended to have meals at restaurants in Zhangjiajie city center. Local dishes recommended include Tujia Hot Pot, Three-pot (stewed with cured meat, tofu and radish as the main ingredients), Tujia Braised Pork, pickled fish and blood tofu, etc.
- Shopping: You can purchase some handicrafts from Tujia ethnic minority.
- Accommodation: There are several hotels in the scenic area, such as Baofeng Hotel and Baofeng Mountain Villa. But they are more suitable for domestic tourists.
- It’s very easy to get confused by the names of difference scenic areas in Zhangjiajie. So it’s important to be clear about what is what, or just join Easy Tour China for your private guided Zhangjiajie tour.
- Be careful not to drop in the water.
- Be ready for crowds and queues before taking the boat especially in peak season.
- A tour guide is highly recommended.
