A Traveler’s Guide to the Most Beautiful Lakes in China
China’s lakes shimmer like mirrors of the sky, each one a world of legends, colours, and tranquillity. From alpine reflections in Tibet to poetic ripples in Hangzhou, this guide reveals the most beautiful lakes in China, each with a story worth travelling for.
Last updated: 22.10.2025
Last updated: 22.10.2025
West Lake, Hangzhou
Few landscapes have inspired as many poems and paintings as Hangzhou’s West Lake. Bordered by willow-lined causeways and temple-dotted hills, it’s more than scenery; it’s a symbol of harmony between humans and nature. Locals say, “Heaven is above, Hangzhou below,” and a morning walk here proves why. Glide across the lake by boat as Leifeng Pagoda reflects on the surface, or cycle along Su Causeway when the lotus blossoms bloom. Misty mornings transform the lake into a scene from an ink-wash painting. Visit early for tranquil views, and linger until sunset for a golden spectacle.
Insider Tip: Visit in spring when cherry blossoms frame the Broken Bridge — it’s one of China’s most romantic sights, especially at sunrise before the city awakens.
Insider Tip: Visit in spring when cherry blossoms frame the Broken Bridge — it’s one of China’s most romantic sights, especially at sunrise before the city awakens.
Qinghai Lake, Qinghai
At over 3,200 metres above sea level, Qinghai Lake is the largest saltwater lake in the country and one of the most famous lakes in China. Here, endless blue water meets the golden sea of rapeseed flowers each summer, a natural masterpiece where sky and earth dissolve into each other. You’ll encounter Tibetan nomads herding yaks, cyclists tracing the 360-km route, and flocks of migratory birds resting on the lake’s islets. As evening falls, the horizon blushes purple, and the silence feels eternal. The contrast of colours and cultures makes Qinghai one of China’s most soul-stirring destinations.
Insider Tip: For a truly local experience, stay overnight in a Tibetan yurt by the lakeshore and wake up to the sound of prayer flags fluttering in the wind.
At over 3,200 metres above sea level, Qinghai Lake is the largest saltwater lake in the country and one of the most famous lakes in China. Here, endless blue water meets the golden sea of rapeseed flowers each summer, a natural masterpiece where sky and earth dissolve into each other. You’ll encounter Tibetan nomads herding yaks, cyclists tracing the 360-km route, and flocks of migratory birds resting on the lake’s islets. As evening falls, the horizon blushes purple, and the silence feels eternal. The contrast of colours and cultures makes Qinghai one of China’s most soul-stirring destinations.
Insider Tip: For a truly local experience, stay overnight in a Tibetan yurt by the lakeshore and wake up to the sound of prayer flags fluttering in the wind.
Kanas Lake, Xinjiang
Tucked away in the Altay Mountains of Xinjiang, Kanas Lake seems like it belongs in a dream. Turquoise water flows through pine forests and golden larch trees, its hue shifting with light and season. Local legends whisper of a mysterious creature beneath the surface, a myth that adds allure to its beauty. This remote region rewards adventurers: hike forested trails, explore Tuva minority villages with their wooden cottages, or watch mist rise at dawn. Few places capture the raw, untouched grandeur of nature like Kanas, easily a contender for the most beautiful lake in China.
Insider Tip: Visit in late September when the autumn foliage ignites the forest in gold — it’s short-lived but utterly breathtaking.
Tucked away in the Altay Mountains of Xinjiang, Kanas Lake seems like it belongs in a dream. Turquoise water flows through pine forests and golden larch trees, its hue shifting with light and season. Local legends whisper of a mysterious creature beneath the surface, a myth that adds allure to its beauty. This remote region rewards adventurers: hike forested trails, explore Tuva minority villages with their wooden cottages, or watch mist rise at dawn. Few places capture the raw, untouched grandeur of nature like Kanas, easily a contender for the most beautiful lake in China.
Insider Tip: Visit in late September when the autumn foliage ignites the forest in gold — it’s short-lived but utterly breathtaking.
Explore The Best of China By Train
China’s high-speed rail network is among the world’s most advanced, linking major cities with remarkable efficiency, comfort, and scenic beauty
- Guangzhou – Hong KongExperience two dynamic southern powerhouses in one seamless journey. In less than an hour, the high-speed train transports you from Guangzhou’s ancient trade streets and dim sum culture to Hong Kong’s glittering skyline. Sip milk tea in a local cha chaan teng, stroll through vibrant harbourfronts, and feel the pulse of Cantonese creativity across both cities.Book now
- Shanghai – HangzhouThis short, high-speed trip connects modern innovation with ancient serenity. Depart Shanghai’s futuristic skyline and arrive in Hangzhou, where tranquil West Lake and lush tea fields await. The contrast between cutting-edge city life and poetic landscapes makes this route a favourite among locals seeking quick escapes into nature.Book now
- Shanghai – BeijingLinking China’s two great metropolises, this five-hour high-speed route is a journey through history and ambition. Depart from Shanghai’s gleaming towers, then arrive in Beijing to explore imperial palaces, hidden hutongs, and world-famous cuisine. It’s the ultimate blend of the modern and the timeless — a showcase of China’s spirit in motion.Book now
Erhai Lake, Yunnan
Erhai Lake, shaped like an ear and framed by Cangshan Mountain, offers both serenity and spirit. Around its shores, the Bai ethnic people live in white-washed villages adorned with carved gates and flower courtyards. Life flows slowly here — fishermen cast nets at dawn, and travellers ride bicycles along quiet waterside roads. Stop at Shuanglang for lake-view cafés and floating restaurants, or take a ferry to tiny islands where temples echo with ancient chants. Every sunrise paints the mountains pink, reminding you that beauty in Dali lies not in grandness, but in grace.
Insider Tip: Rent an e-bike to circle the lake, it’s an easy and scenic 120 km ride that reveals authentic village life beyond the main tourist spots.
Insider Tip: Rent an e-bike to circle the lake, it’s an easy and scenic 120 km ride that reveals authentic village life beyond the main tourist spots.
Yamdrok Lake, Tibet
Among Tibet’s sacred “three holy lakes,” Yamdrok stands out with its surreal turquoise tones that twist and curve across the plateau. Tibetans believe it’s the reincarnation of a goddess, watching over the people. Seen from above, its serpentine shape glimmers beneath snow-draped peaks, and the air hums with silence. Driving from Lhasa, the first glimpse of Yamdrok is unforgettable, a shimmer of blue unfolding beyond prayer-flag-strewn passes.
On calm days, the lake mirrors the sky so perfectly that the horizon disappears, creating the illusion of walking between heaven and earth. Walk along its shores, breathe the thin crisp air, and feel the world slow down. No photo captures its tranquillity; you must stand there to understand it.
Insider Tip: Stop at Kamba La Pass on the drive from Lhasa — the panoramic view of the lake winding below snow peaks is one of Tibet’s most iconic sights.
Insider Tip: Stop at Kamba La Pass on the drive from Lhasa — the panoramic view of the lake winding below snow peaks is one of Tibet’s most iconic sights.
China’s lakes hold more than just beauty, they preserve living legends. At Qiandao Lake, an entire ancient city called Shi Cheng lies perfectly intact beneath the water, complete with temples, archways, and stone carvings. Discovered by divers in the 2000s, it’s often called “China’s Atlantis.”
Qiandao Lake, Zhejiang
Man-made yet miraculously natural-looking, Qiandao Lake emerged after a dam’s construction submerged two ancient towns. Today, over 1,000 forest-covered islands rise from sapphire waters, forming a labyrinth of mystery. Divers still explore the sunken city of Shi Cheng beneath the surface — a time capsule from 1,400 years ago. Take a boat cruise to see islands shaped like animals, hike to panoramic lookouts, or simply drift amid silence broken only by bird calls. Despite its accessibility from Hangzhou, Qiandao retains a peaceful rhythm, proof that modern engineering can sometimes yield unexpected beauty.
Insider Tip: Join a local diving trip if you’re certified — the underwater ruins of Shi Cheng are one of China’s most fascinating submerged cities.
Insider Tip: Join a local diving trip if you’re certified — the underwater ruins of Shi Cheng are one of China’s most fascinating submerged cities.
Lugu Lake, Sichuan & Yunnan
Straddling two provinces, Lugu Lake shimmers at 2,700 m amid mountains cloaked in pine. It’s the homeland of the Mosuo people, often called China’s last matriarchal society. Wooden canoes glide across clear water, and women still lead households, preserving customs that have lasted centuries. Visitors can cross the lake by “pig-trough” boat, hike to Lover’s Beach, or stay in lakeside lodges where bonfires light up starlit nights. The lake’s calm mirrors the values of its people — balance, beauty, and freedom.
Insider Tip: Attend a traditional Mosuo bonfire party at night — it’s filled with music, dancing, and ancient courtship songs that reveal the culture’s matrilineal traditions.
Straddling two provinces, Lugu Lake shimmers at 2,700 m amid mountains cloaked in pine. It’s the homeland of the Mosuo people, often called China’s last matriarchal society. Wooden canoes glide across clear water, and women still lead households, preserving customs that have lasted centuries. Visitors can cross the lake by “pig-trough” boat, hike to Lover’s Beach, or stay in lakeside lodges where bonfires light up starlit nights. The lake’s calm mirrors the values of its people — balance, beauty, and freedom.
Insider Tip: Attend a traditional Mosuo bonfire party at night — it’s filled with music, dancing, and ancient courtship songs that reveal the culture’s matrilineal traditions.
Tianchi (Heaven Lake), Jilin
High atop Changbai Mountain, Heaven Lake fills the crater of an ancient volcano shared with North Korea. Clouds often swirl over its cobalt surface, and when they part, the sight is celestial. The contrast of snow peaks and steaming hot springs below makes it one of China’s most dramatic landscapes. In summer, wildflowers blanket the slopes; in winter, the frozen lake becomes a gleaming mirror. Legends tell of a dragon guarding its depths — fitting for such an ethereal place that truly feels closer to the heavens than the earth.
Insider Tip: Arrive early when the mountain gates open — morning sunlight often reveals the lake before clouds gather and obscure the view.
High atop Changbai Mountain, Heaven Lake fills the crater of an ancient volcano shared with North Korea. Clouds often swirl over its cobalt surface, and when they part, the sight is celestial. The contrast of snow peaks and steaming hot springs below makes it one of China’s most dramatic landscapes. In summer, wildflowers blanket the slopes; in winter, the frozen lake becomes a gleaming mirror. Legends tell of a dragon guarding its depths — fitting for such an ethereal place that truly feels closer to the heavens than the earth.
Insider Tip: Arrive early when the mountain gates open — morning sunlight often reveals the lake before clouds gather and obscure the view.
From the poetic stillness of Hangzhou’s West Lake to the untamed mystery of Xinjiang’s Kanas and Tibet’s divine Yamdrok, China’s lakes are more than destinations — they’re reflections of its soul. Ready to experience nature’s masterpieces firsthand? Explore them on one of the expertly curated Tours to Asia and discover the landscapes that define the heart of a continent.
