Fuxian Lake 抚仙湖
Crystal-clear lake and 500-million-year-old fossils, close to Kunming.
An easy escape from Kunming, about an hour by road – good for a relaxed day or a night by the water at the start or end of a trip.
What to see
Fuxian Lake 抚仙湖
One of the deepest freshwater lakes in China, about an hour south of Kunming. The water is so clear that in ancient times the lake was called "a large area of shining glass". Walk or cycle along the shore, watch the sunset from Sun Mountain, and enjoy the quiet beaches and wetlands.
The lake also hides a mystery. In 2001 divers found stone structures and pottery on the lake bed, covering an area of about 2.5 square kilometres. Dating suggests the site is around 1,750 years old, and some believe it may be linked to the ancient Dian Kingdom, a highly developed civilisation that disappeared after 86 BC.
Chengjiang Fossil Site 澄江化石地
Near the lake lies the Chengjiang Fossil Site, a UNESCO World Heritage site with some of the oldest and best-preserved animal fossils in the world, more than 500 million years old. The museum shows how early life on earth looked.