Hongfeng Lake

Hongfeng Lake is a large reservoir lake in Qingzhen City, on the western edge of Guiyang, Guizhou. It was created in the late 1950s by damming the Maotiao River and is dotted with karst islands, peninsulas and bays, which give it a distinctive landscape of green hills reflected in the water. The lake is divided into several sections, known as the North, South, Central and Back lakes, each with its own character. Visitors typically take a boat tour that passes karst islets, fishing villages and rock formations, and some boats stop at lakeside villages inhabited by Miao and Buyi communities, where visitors can sample local food, see traditional houses and watch song performances. Lakeside paths, small piers and scenic zones let visitors walk, cycle and picnic, and the area is a popular escape for Guiyang residents in summer, when temperatures on the water are cooler than in the city. A half day is usually enough for one boat tour and a village visit, while a full day allows for several sections. Access to the open lake shoreline is free, though boats and some scenic zones charge CNY 20 to 80. The best time to visit is spring to autumn, with early morning mist adding atmosphere. Crowds build at weekends and public holidays, and weekday visits are much quieter. Photographers tend to favour sunrise and sunset on the water and viewpoints over the islet-studded bays. Fresh fish dishes are a speciality of the lakeside restaurants. The lake is reached by bus from Guiyang to Qingzhen and then by taxi, which takes around an hour and a half in total.