(The breathtaking scenery of Qiandao Lake)

Yuanling County, located in the transition zone from Dongting Lake Plain to the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and covering 5852 square kilometers, is the largest county in Hunan province, with Yuan River and You River passing through it and the Wuling and Xuefeng mountain ranges intersecting here. Surrounded by lush green mountains and clear waters, this county enjoys beautiful landscape, represented by Qiandao Lake in Chenjiatan Township whose scenery is breathtaking.

Chenjiatan Township, located downstream of the Yuan River, was originally a mountainous area with crisscrossing rivers and streams. In the 1990s, the dam of Wuqiangxi Hydropower Station was built, producing a vast lake, covering an area of 30000 acres with seven big and small rivers flowing in including Yixi, Poshui, and Mayi rivers, etc. Thus, most of the former mountains were submerged, with only high peaks rising above the water, forming breathtaking scenery with over 400 islands of different shapes.

A bird’s-eye view sees the lake is vast and misty, with islands scattered everywhere. Some islands are small but beautiful, standing tall like lotus flowers in the water, with willow branches swaying in the wind on the shore, creating small ripples on the surface of the water; some other islands are rugged and majestic, with exposed rocks resembling giant whales lying horizontally, silently recounting the vicissitudes of geological changes; There are also some more connected islands, forming a unique array on the lake like a fleet ready to sail. Surrounded by mountains and water, the blue waves and lush greenery complement each other, forming a stunning painting of “mountains in a lake and a lake in the mountains”.

The scenery of Qiandao Lake in summer is particularly charming. The mudflat is densely covered with lotus leaves, with pale pink and white lotus flowers interspersed. The egrets occasionally brush the water surface, adding a lively flavor to the scenery, like a scroll of ink painting.

This beautiful lake is a perfect combination of human engineering and nature. The once remote mountainous area has now become a tourist destination, showcasing the amazing craftsmanship of nature and carrying the memories of the hard work of immigrants in the reservoir area. Traveling by boat between islands, watching the sunlight shine on the water surface and listening to the mountain breeze whispering in the woods, visitors can truly feel the unique charm of the lake—a gift from the mountains and waters, and a vivid chapter of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.

(Photos by Pan Yu / Huaihua Daily)

(The small islands in Qiandao Lake)

(The goats raised by the local residents)

 (Translated by Chen Min)