Kunming - Lake Dianchi / Lake Kunming

Lake Dianchi has a surface area of 297sq.km/115sq.mi and an average depth of 5.5m/18ft. Now known as Lake Kunming, it lies about 4km/2.5mi southwest of the city and is fed by 20 rivers and streams. There are thought to have been settlements here more than two thousand years ago.

On the shores of the lake there are many places to visit, for example Daguan Lou Gongyuan Park with its tower of the same name on the west shore. The tower, which was completed in 1691, originally had two stories but in 1828 a third story was added. For a number of years the tower served as a meeting-place for local men of letters. In 1857 it was destroyed during the war but rebuilt in 1869. The building has a double roof which is covered with yellow-glazed