The Largest Lake in Guangdong: A Scenic Wonderland and the Main Drinking Water Source for Hong Kong

"The jade water of heaven, the Wanlv Lake on earth." The Wanlv Lake in Heyuan, Guangdong, which appears at the end of the daily "Xinwen Lianbo" broadcast, has long captivated millions of viewers across the country with its infinite charm. I had visited Wanlv Lake several times before, but this time I finally had the opportunity to explore it in depth, discovering its enchanting landscapes from various angles and uncovering a different kind of beauty.

Wanlv Lake is located in the western part of Heyuan City, Guangdong Province, and is the largest lake in South China. Formerly known as the "Xinfengjiang Reservoir," it was formed in 1958 when a dam was built at the Yapo Mountain Gorge on the lower reaches of the Xinfeng River to construct the Xinfengjiang Hydropower Station. It is less than 200 kilometers from both Guangzhou and Shenzhen, making it a veritable "back garden" of the Pearl River Delta.

Wanlv Lake blends green mountains and clear waters, with the lake and hills reflecting each other, presenting a fresh and natural mountain-lake scenery that is pleasing to the eye and refreshing to the spirit. The entire lake surface resembles a green gem set in the land of Guangdong, both beautiful and precious.

As the largest artificial lake in South China, Wanlv Lake has a vast expanse of water, covering an area of 370 square kilometers of clear blue waves. The lake area has an excellent ecological environment, with greenery everywhere. There are over 360 islands on the lake, and the water displays a stunning green color, hence the name "Wanlv Lake" (Ten Thousand Greens Lake).

Wanlv Lake is not only the largest eco-tourism attraction in South China but also a symbol of Heyuan City and an important source of drinking water for Guangdong. As the largest reservoir in South China, it is said that at its highest water level, Wanlv Lake can store up to 14 billion cubic meters of water.

Wanlv Lake is pure and pollution-free, with excellent water quality that is clear and clean, meeting the national Class I surface water standards. The deep lake water can be drunk directly, and many drinking water products on the market come from here. Wanlv Lake also supplies water to Shenzhen and Hong Kong via the Dongjiang-Shenzhen Water Supply Project, making it the main source of drinking water for Hong Kong.

The best way to explore Wanlv Lake is by taking a boat for island hopping. The scenic area offers two routes, and we chose Route 1. Boarding at the Wanlv Lake tourism pier, we visited Shuiyue Bay, Longfeng Island, Jinghuayuan, and the Hakka Customs Museum in sequence, experiencing different lake and mountain views and folk customs.

The overall ecological environment and natural scenery of Wanlv Lake are unparalleled. It not only boasts rich and diverse flora and fauna resources but also features gardens, forests, strange rocks, unique caves, and other natural ecological landscapes. Surrounding peaks rise in layers, presenting a lush green panorama that is very soothing. In summer, the chirping of birds and the singing of cicadas create a natural rustic charm that is refreshing to the mind and soul.

Additionally, there are many culturally rich attractions along the shores of Wanlv Lake. For example, the legend of the Hundred Flower Fairies from the famous novel "Jinghuayuan" (Flowers in the Mirror) by Qing Dynasty novelist Li Ruzhen, along with its fairyland scenery, has been integrated into the green lake waters, creating a dreamlike, mysterious, and beautiful atmosphere, like flowers in a mirror or the moon's reflection in water. Moreover, visitors can get up close to the pristine waters at the Shuiyue Bay scenic area, which features a water entertainment center offering sandy beaches, water bikes, fishing and other water activities that are full of fun and tempting.

Taking advantage of the current high-water season, I used a drone to capture the view from above. The emerald water, set against the blue sky, white clouds, morning glow, and sunset, presents a captivating picture. Islands of various shapes are embedded in the lake surface, like pieces of green jade scattered on a blue-green silk brocade. The scenery is breathtaking, like a paradise on earth. Compared with its "sister lake," Qiandao Lake in Zhejiang, which one do you think is more impressive?

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