How Beautiful Are China's Lakes?
There are currently natural lakes with an area greater than 1 km²
81414.56km²
(The above data is based on "Lakes of China" by Wang Hongdao et al. & "China Lake Survey Report" by Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Due to differences in statistical time and methods, information such as lake quantity and area varies across sources; for the statistics of China's natural lakes in quantity and area, dots replace lakes after the 50th, not representing the actual shape of the lakes; mapping by Zhao Bang & Chen Siqi/Planet Research Institute)
(Please view horizontally, glacial lake on the western slope of Bogda Peak, Tianshan Mountains; photographer: Zhang Wenjing)
(Please view horizontally, Gaoyou Lake, Jiangsu; photographer: Qingxi)
(Please view horizontally, Dagetu Honghaizi in Badain Jaran Desert; photographer: Teng Hongliang)
(Please view horizontally, West Lake, Hangzhou; photographer: Xiao Yisan)
(Lake name labels; mapping by Zhao Bang/Planet Research Institute)
Lakes with such vastly different forms
How many wonders and beauty have they created?
The formation of lakes relies on two fundamental elements
The lake basin determines the shape and size of the lake water
There are as many as eight forces shaping lake basins
It is the explosive power of "fire"
Once it finds the weak points in the overlying rocks, it gushes out
Magma and shattered fragments of surrounding rock
A bowl-shaped funnel formed by the depression at the top of a volcanic cone
(Illustration of crater lake formation; if the volcano erupts multiple times, early volcanic cones may undergo fault subsidence, forming caldera lakes; mapping by Zhao Bang/Planet Research Institute)
They resemble torches lifted to the sky
Arxan Tianchi, Moon Lake Tianchi
(Arxan Tianchi; photographer: Zhao Gaoxiang)
Like a sapphire embedded in the jungle
(Moon Lake Tianchi; photographer: Zhong Yongjun)
Eventually becoming China's largest crater lake
(Please view horizontally, Changbai Mountain Tianchi is a caldera lake; image source: VCG)
Also the deepest lake in China
(Please view horizontally, Changbai Mountain Tianchi is a border lake between China and North Korea, with a total area of 9.82 km²; photographer: Zhai Dongrun)
Boldly initiating the transformation of the mountains
Those depressions carved by glacial erosion
Or troughs dammed by moraines holding water
(Illustration of glacial lake formation; cartographer: Zheng Borong/Planet Research Institute)
(Figure 1: Cirque lake, photographed in Daocheng, Sichuan; photographer: Chen Lei; Figure 2: Moraine-dammed lake, photographed in Nyingchi, Tibet; photographer: Li Heng)
(Multi-level glacial lakes, photographed in Xiangcheng County, Ganzi; photographer: Li Heng)
Becoming the primary shaping force of desert lakes
(Illustration of aeolian lake formation; cartographer: Zheng Borong/Planet Research Institute)
(Please view horizontally, Badain Jaran Desert lakes; photographer: Qi Weimin)
(Kumukuli Desert Baisha Spring in Altun Mountains; photographer: Li Xueliang)
The very existence of these desert lakes
Along with the vegetation or microorganisms they nurture
Or the salt minerals accumulated due to intense evaporation
(Dagtu Honghaizi in Badain Jaran Desert; photographer: Lin Bei'an)
Participated in the lake formation process
When coastal drift carries sediment to enclose a bay
(Diagram of lagoon formation; illustration by Zhao Bang/Planet Research Institute)
Influenced by the intensity of waves and tides
Mainly distributed in Liaoning, Hebei, and Shandong
Few lagoons develop along the coast of the East China Sea
(Gold Coast Lagoon in Changli, Hebei; photographer: Xu Shuchun)
(Sanya Lagoon; photographer: Han Yang)
They are often developed as sheltered harbors
Forming various depressions, funnels, and sinkholes
If the rock layer collapses or external objects block the drainage outlet
(Diagram of karst lake formation; illustration by Zheng Borong/Planet Research Institute)
Karst landforms are widely distributed
Their formation is often sudden
Continuous precipitation causes large amounts of sand, stones, and vegetation
To block the sinkholes in ancient lake basins
Guizhou's largest lake originated this way
(Weining Caohai; image source: VCG)
There are three horizontal sinkholes on the western shore
The lake surface often exhibits funnel-shaped vortices due to water leakage
(Napa Lake; photographer @ Peng Jiansheng)
The eruptions of two volcanoes, Laoheishan and Huoshaoshan
gave birth to the famous Wudalianchi
(Illustration of the formation of Wudalianchi; designed by @ Zhao Bang/Planet Research Institute)
was formed by basalt blocking the Mudan River and its tributaries
It is also China's largest lava-dammed lake
(Jingpo Lake, where water currently flows over the basalt dam in a diffuse manner, forming a waterfall and scouring a deep pool at the dam's cliff; image source @ VCG)
Factors such as earthquakes, glacial activity, and heavy rainfall
often trigger landslides and debris flows that block river channels
(Illustration of barrier lake formation; designed by @ Planet Research Institute)
A magnitude 7.5 earthquake occurred
A large amount of collapsed mountain material entered the Min River
forming multi-level barrier lakes within a 17km range
The ancient town of Diexi was thus buried underground
(Diexi Haizi; photographer @ Xie Hong)
Glacial activity near Guxiang, Bomi County
triggered a debris flow that blocked the Parlung Tsangpo River
forming a lake 5km long, 1-2km wide, and 20m deep
(Guxiang Lake in spring; photographer @ Zhang Yang's Xiaoqiang)
The dam composed of barrier materials has a loose structure
It is prone to breaching due to large upstream water accumulation
Posing a serious threat to downstream residents
The Tangjiashan barrier lake upstream of Beichuan County
While airdropping excavation machinery and troops
(May 30, 2008, after the 5.12 mega-earthquake, during the decisive battle at Tangjiashan barrier lake, the photographer captured the scene from a military helicopter; photographer @ Zhu Jianguo)
Swan Lake, Arrow Bamboo Lake, Panda Lake
All are influenced by the damming effects caused by gravity collapse
Known as Jiuzhaigou's most beautiful lake, the Five-Flower Lake
(Five-Flower Lake; photographer @ Li Heng)
Shaping lakes of diverse and magnificent forms
But they are all too small, too small, too small
Most cover an area of less than 1 km²
They will be created by the remaining two forces
Rivers are the primary creators of lakes
Or invading low-lying areas on both banks during floods
(Baiyangdian Lake Group; photographer @ Yu Ming)
The middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River Plain in eastern China
Formed numerous lake groups of varying sizes
Becoming one of China's most densely distributed lake regions
Although the number of lakes has sharply declined in modern times
But 181 lakes with an area greater than 1 km² were still preserved.
Honghu Lake, Liangzi Lake, Futou Lake, and others.
(Liangzi Lake, covering an area of 351.77 km²; photographer: Liu Bin)
Over the 700 years after 1194.
The Yellow River changed its course, capturing the Si River and flowing into the Huai River.
Causing poor drainage in both the Huai and Si Rivers.
River water pooled to form a series of lakes.
Resulting in lakes such as Nanyang Lake, Dushan Lake, Zhaoyang Lake, and Weishan Lake.
Later influenced by human activities like the construction of the Grand Canal.
(Weishan Lake; photographer: Chen Jianfeng)
Many small marshes and depressions were connected into one.
(Hongze Lake, covering an area of 1663.32 km²; photographer: Chen Jianfeng)
Luoma Lake, Gaoyou Lake, Shaobo Lake.
And many other lakes in the Huai River Basin.
(Luoma Lake; photographer: Chen Jianfeng)
The resulting lakes are still mostly small to medium-sized.
Those that can fully reach the vast lands of China.
Crustal folds and faults frequently occur.
Or relative subsidence forms basins.
Those closed or semi-closed structural basins.
Under the replenishment of atmospheric precipitation, rivers, meltwater from ice and snow, groundwater, and other water sources,
lakes are formed by accumulated water.
(Illustration of tectonic lakes; the figure below shows only some tectonic lakes, as in reality they are often controlled by multiple fault groups; mapping by Zhao Bang/Planet Institute)
Among China's large and medium-sized lakes,
8 out of China's 10 super-large lakes
(Distribution of China's super-large lakes; mapping by Chen Siqi/Planet Institute)
With an area of 4,254.90 km²,
(Please view horizontally, Qinghai Lake, with the Qinghai-Tibet Railway in the foreground; photographer: Gao Ze'an)
"The sunset glow flies with a solitary wild duck, the autumn water blends with the vast sky in one hue,"
(Please view horizontally, quote from Wang Bo's "Preface to the Pavilion of Prince Teng," Poyang Lake, area 3,206.98 km², China's second-largest lake; photographer: Liao Hao)
"Mists veil the mighty Yunmeng Marsh, waves rock Yueyang Town,"
(Please view horizontally, quote from Meng Haoran's "Gazing at Dongting Lake and Presenting to Prime Minister Zhang," Dongting Lake, area 2,614.36 km², China's third-largest lake, featuring Dongting Lake and Yueyang Tower; photographer: Ye Changchun)
(Please view horizontally, Hulun Lake, China's fifth-largest lake; photographer: Zhao Gaoxiang)
With an area of 2,129.02 km²,
(Please view horizontally, Siling Co, China's sixth-largest lake; photographer: Xiao Feng)
With an area of 2,040.90 km²,
(Please view horizontally, Namtso, China's seventh-largest lake; photographer: Zhang Yang's Xiaoqiang)
(Bosten Lake, area 1,004.33 km²; photographer: Xu Shuchun)
Its total area is approximately 4,350 km²,
Because all water areas in China cover only 1,057 km².
(In the foreground is Xiaoxingkai Lake, with Xingkai Lake in the distance, separated by a sandbar; image source @VCG)
15 others are also formed by tectonic lakes
(Distribution of large lakes in China; among them, Pangong Tso is a border lake between China and India, with most of it located in China, while Buir Lake is a border lake between China and Mongolia, with only 38.4 km² within China; map by @Chen Siqi/Planet Research Institute)
Yamdrok Lake, Pangong Tso, Ngari Ringco
(Please view horizontally, Tangra Yumco; photographer @Liu Yedao)
Hala Lake, Ulan Ul Lake, Chibzhang Co
(Please view horizontally, the image shows Gyaring Lake, one of the only two large outflow freshwater lakes on the Tibetan Plateau, along with Ngoring Lake; photographer @Wang Shenghui)
(Ulungur Lake; photographer @Li Baomin)
(Chaohu Lake; photographer @Chen Jianfeng)
(Buir Lake; photographer @Ripplesde)
They have also become "representative lakes" for different regions
(Please view horizontally, Dianchi Lake, covering an area of 300.38 km²; photographer @Chai Junfeng)
(Please view horizontally, Erhai Lake, covering an area of 248.44 km²; photographer @Chen Fangxiang)
The surrounding mountains of Fuxian Lake continue to rise
With a maximum depth of 155 m and an average depth of 89.6 m
(Fuxian Lake, covering an area of 214.53 km², has a water storage capacity of 18.9 billion m³, equivalent to 16 times that of Dianchi Lake or 7.5 times that of Erhai Lake; photographer @Shang Rui)
(Please view horizontally; Lugu Lake, covering an area of 50.81 km², with two-thirds located in Sichuan and one-third in Yunnan; photographer @Awu on the Road)
It stands as a rare "large lake responsibility"
(Please view horizontally, Qionghai Lake, covering an area of 31 km²; photographer @Shi Lei)
Like a blue gemstone embedded in the Tianshan Mountains
(Please view horizontally, Sayram Lake, area 462.63 km²; photographer @Jiao Xiaoxiang)
Located between Yushan Mountain and Alishan
Although the lake area is only 4.4 km²
It is the largest natural gem on the treasure island of Taiwan
(Sun Moon Lake, which has been converted into a reservoir with an expanded area; photographer @Chai Jianghui)
Still mainly concentrated on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
North of the Gangdise Mountains-Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains
(North of the Gangdise Mountains, there are numerous lakes. Apart from the six extra-large and large lakes—Siling Co, Namtso, Zhari Namco, Tangra Yumco, Pangong Tso, and Ngariqenco—there are many small and medium-sized lakes, all named with "Co," hence the phrase "one Co after another." The picture shows Palung Co; photographer @Sun Yan)
(Please view horizontally, the left side is Lake Manasarovar, and the right side is Lake Rakshastal; photographer @Xing Ying Bu Li)
(Lake Puma Yumco; photographer @Shan Feng)
Lakes formed by the combination of multiple factors
Further enrich the diversity of the lake world
Many glacial lakes in the Altai and Tianshan Mountains of Xinjiang
Are influenced by both tectonic subsidence and glacial erosion
(Heavenly Lake of Tianshan; photographer @Liu Jiancong)
Its maximum depth reaches 188.5 m
(Please view horizontally, Kanas Lake; photographer @Cui Yongjiang)
The formation of Taihu Lake remains controversial to this day
Theories include lagoon origin, river origin, and tectonic origin
(Please view horizontally, Taihu Lake, area 2537.17 km²; we also hope for stronger evidence to reveal the cause of Taihu Lake's formation; photographer @Han Yang)
Shaped by eight great forces
Volcanic lakes, glacial lakes, aeolian lakes
Marine lakes, karst lakes, barrier lakes
Together form the inland
(Distribution of major lakes in China; map by Chen Siqi/Planet Research Institute)
Particularly evident for many small lakes
May be destroyed by renewed volcanic eruptions
Or have their dams breached by sudden glacial activity
May be buried by shifting sand dunes
Often due to sinkholes or fissures
A gradually changing life from formation to extinction
(Lake Manasarovar, the largest freshwater lake in high-altitude regions, covering 409.9 km²; photographer@ Shanfeng)
(Lake Ngari Rinco, a brackish lake with visibly receding shorelines; photographer@ Jiang Chenming)
(Manas Lake in Xinjiang, a dry salt lake; photographer@ Feixiang)
And gradually transform into marshes or land
(Zoige Marsh; photographer@ Qiao Li)
Whether endorheic or exorheic lakes
All evolutionary processes are not strictly sequential
As well as shifts in lake-river relationships can affect
Changes in multiple attributes like lake area, water storage, and water quality
(Siling Co, due to increased precipitation and snowmelt on the Tibetan Plateau, expanded from 1132.76 km² in 1976 to 2349.46 km² by 2010, surpassing Nam Co to become Tibet's largest lake; photographer @ Ma Chunlin)
More influenced by human activities
Directly reducing the number and area of lakes
Soil erosion caused by human activities
(Hengling Lake in the southern part of Dongting Lake, with an average annual sediment inflow of 129.85 million m³, making it China's most sediment-laden lake; photographer @ Yu Ming)
(Poyang Lake; photographer @ Yu Ming)
With Dongting Lake experiencing the most severe shrinkage
Over the 100 years from the late 19th to the late 20th century
Its area decreased from nearly 5000 km² to 2700 km²
(Dongting Lake wetlands; photographer @ Zhu Li)
With the control of reckless land reclamation
While the discharge of industrial, agricultural, and domestic wastewater
Leads to lake pollution and eutrophication
(Chaohu Lake; photographer @ Shi Yaochen)
Damming rivers upstream and diverting water
Resulting in downstream lakes shrinking or even drying up
(The dried-up Lop Nur; photographer @ Li Xueliang)
Less directly affected by human activities
Over the 40 years from 1970 to 2010
The overall lake area showed an expanding trend
(Changes in the area of lakes on the Tibetan Plateau from 1970 to 2010; map by Zheng Borong/Planet Research Institute)
During August-September 2011
The Zhuonai Lake in the Hoh Xil region burst its banks
And engineering facilities such as the Qinghai-Tibet Railway and Qinghai-Tibet Highway
(Zhuonai Lake; photographer: Qin Hui)
(Kanas Lake; photographer: Jiang Chenming)
But we must also be vigilant about the lake crisis caused by global climate change
And human activities
Design | Zhao Bang, Zheng Borong
Proofreading | Yun Wu Kongcheng, Chen Jingyi
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