Bita Lake (Bitahai, 碧塔海), situated within the Pudacuo National Park in Shangri-La, stretches approximately 3,000 meters from east to west, with an average width of 700 meters from north to south. At its widest point, it spans about 1,500 meters, narrowing to around 300 meters at its narrowest. The lake has an average depth of 20 meters, reaching up to approximately 40 meters at its deepest point, covering a water area of 159 hectares. It is formed by the convergence of streams from snow-capped mountains.
Within the lake, there are islands adorned with spruces, alpine pines, high-altitude oaks, birches, and willows. In Tibetan, it is known as “Bitada Cuo,” with “Bita” meaning a place where oaks grow in clusters, “Da” meaning magical, and “Cuo” meaning lake, signifying the mystical and tranquil nature of this lake. Bita Lake is often referred to as the “Pearl of the Plateau.” At an altitude of 3,538 meters, it was historically a depression submerged by water, formed during the Fourth Quaternary uplift of the Tibetan Plateau.
Legend has it that the shattered mirror of a celestial maiden, while grooming herself, created many plateau lakes, with Bita Lake being the most beautiful piece adorned with emerald gems. On clear days, admiring Bita Lake in spring is particularly enchanting. Surrounded by ancient pines and oaks, the lake is embraced by dark mountains, resembling a green gemstone embedded in the mountains. The water is clear and bright, shimmering under the radiant sunlight, creating a dazzling spectacle. With mountains towering over the lake, the hues of the mountains and the water merge seamlessly. Rhododendrons bloom brilliantly around the lake, accompanied by the melody of birds and the fragrance of flowers, while fish swim gracefully along the shallow shores.
During the blooming season of rhododendrons in May, the petals fall onto the surface of Bita Lake, attracting fish. After consuming the petals, the fish become intoxicated and float on the water’s surface, creating a unique spectacle known as “drunken fish among rhododendrons.” It is said that bears from the forest also come to feast on the intoxicated fish under the moonlight. This phenomenon was vividly depicted by the renowned writer Feng Mu, immortalizing the “drunken fish among rhododendrons” of Bita Lake in the annals of history.
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 – 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | Included in the ticket for Pudacuo National park |
| Opening Hours | 8.30 – 16.00 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0887-8227568 |
Location and Transportation
Bita Lake Natural Reserve is located in the eastern part of Zhongdian County, northwest Yunnan Province, China, approximately 25 kilometers from the county seat. There are four daily shuttle buses from Shangri-La Passenger Station to Pudacuo, departing at 8:00, 8:30, 9:30, and 10:00, with return trips at 14:00, 14:30, 15:00, and 16:30. The fare is 15 yuan for one-way and 30 yuan for a round trip, with a journey time of about half an hour.