There’s a lot to do in the Spring City of Kunming. There are also several great options for day trips, from hiking in the Western Hills to exploring the Golden Temple. If you’re looking for a weekend getaway, though, you’ll want to head to the beautiful Fuxian Lake (抚仙湖 – fǔ xiān hú). Let’s see what it’s like taking a short trip to Fuxian Lake.

About the Lake

Fuxian Lake is located about 65 kilometers south of Kunming. It’s the 3rd largest lake in Yunnan province after Dianchi and Erhai lakes, covering an area of around 212 square kilometers. Its deepest point is about 155 meters, making it one of the deepest freshwater lakes in China. There are several species of fish that are native to Fuxian Lake, and it is also home to some unique fauna.

Visiting the Lake

There is a fully paved road around the perimeter of the lake with a few tourist areas. The main ones are Chengjiang (澄江 – chéng jiāng) on the northern part of the lake, Luchong (禄充 – lù chōng) on the west, and the Sunshine Coast (阳光海岸 – yáng guāng hǎi’àn) in the southwest. It’s possible to cycle the entire road around the lake if you’re so inclined. Other options include taking a boat ride, hiking, or just lounging on the man-made beaches. There are quite a few hotels and restaurants in the various towns around the lake, so it’s not hard to find a place to eat or sleep for the night.

Sunken City

In 1992, a diver named Geng Wei discovered what appeared to be a sunken city in Fuxian Lake. A submarine with an archaeological team was later sent down to conduct further research. After a few days, they determined it was between 2.4-2.7 square kilometers, and they found several buildings, including a massive pyramid. There are several theories as to the origins of this lost city, and research is ongoing to this very day. Learn more in this short video from the history channel:

A Resort Stay-cation

If you’re looking for a getaway from city life, a great option is a short stay at the Angsana Resort on the northern end of the lake. When we were living in Kunming, my wife only had one full day off a week. This seriously limited our ability to travel outside of major holidays. Thankfully, one night out here is enough and is a great break.

Our room was huge and very comfortable. The best part of all was the huge window with a great view of the lake.

Thanks to her schedule as an English teacher, we visited during the week when the place was nearly empty. There are plenty of rooms to sit back and relax, a few pool tables, and so much more.

There’s a pretty good restaurant on site that has a mix of Chinese and Thai food. We munched on some papaya salad, spring rolls, and a big bowl of noodles for lunch there.

On our visit, it was a bit chilly for swimming in the pool or the lake. Instead, we enjoyed just taking in the beautiful scenery and exploring the massive grounds of the resort. There’s a nice boardwalk to stroll along, a climbing wall (which we didn’t see anyone use), and of course, some funny Chinglish signs.

They really do a good job of maintaining the grounds here. There’s lots of pretty flora and fauna along the boardwalk for you to admire.

If you’re interested in booking a stay here, follow our link for Booking.com to receive a special discount!

Getting There

Unless you have your own wheels or want to shell out for a private driver, the best way to reach Fuxian Lake is by taking a local bus to Chengjiang. From downtown Kunming, the trip takes about an hour and a half. From there, you can catch a cab or another bus to whatever part of the lake you want to visit.